Demonstration Organised for Man U v Arsenal

By Andy Strouthous
October 26 2004

Manure fans are planning a mass demonstration for the Arsenal game on the 24 th October. No its not against Ralph's single handed routing of their entire team after last years fixture, but against the Tampa Bay Leprechaun who wants to buy up the club. (see story below this)

I think they should remain dignified, none of this shouting and waving flags malarkey, but rather they should stay away and give Arsenal an extra allocation of tickets. A reduced crowd dominated by the opposition, with a good victory for the Gooners will soon piss the bastard off. Perhaps they can convince McManus and Magnier to buy the club instead, that would please ol red nose. I could go along with that I am sure that Arsenal Supporting owners could do well for the club.

Bluebottle Stadium?Talking of millionaires is Arsenal about to benefit from Chelski cast offs? Fly Emirates - trips of the tongue doesn't it?

4th Oct 2004Man U are at risk of takeover by Glazer an American (Tampa Bay Bucs) Baseball Owner. Arsenal Times addressed this issue recently in the "Diamond Geezers" article (see archive for September). Now cocky Red Devils are not so bullish and desperately organising to stop takeover. But should Arsenal fans care?

As I warned recently if you sup with the devil you need a long spoon. The problem with a PLC is that you can raise lots of money and be the biggest club in the world - but the big question is whose club? Well it could be an American Capitalist out to squeeze every penny. (Good news for Davor Sukor who has a block of shares). Ironically its the purchase of Rooney that makes the idea of takeover such a good investment. Roonmania has made this underachieving club a desirable brand. The Yankee who knows nothing about football still knows a possibly good investment when he sees one.

Well Arsenal are not a PLC very true, but neither were Brazil in the 1998 World Cup Final, but how can you explain the strange shenanigans around the real Ronaldo in the final? The man was clearly ill, but someone wanted him on the teamsheet, only the fact that he would need a stretcher to get on the field got him off the sheet. Who was the someone? It had to be a corporate sponsor, and there was even a national enquiry into the incident, but no evidence was forthcoming - what a surprise.

It would be very easy to laugh at the Mancs predicament, and I find it difficult not to, but the deepening corporatisation of football is a worrying aspect of the game that concerns us all. Some Arsenal supporters believe its a good thing because it will mean more money for players - but Glazer is not interested in players but profits and share prices. The Glazer and Nike approach is not about more players but more profit unfortunately the two do not go together. So should we gloat at Man U fans discomfort or support them in resisting the encroachment of the fat cats out top asset strip football?