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The Paul McGeady Story

The Ex-Season Ticket Holder – The Final Chapter

For those of you following the story of Paul McGeady; our ex-season ticket holder, here’s the final chapter in what’s been a long drawn out process made more lengthy by the clubs ability to swerve questions and disguise facts.

Paul’s quest for answers has ended here with one final emailed correspondence to the club who, in return, have replied for one final time.

What follows are the emails sent to me by Paul, firstly his to the club, then [sadly] his reflection and summary of what happens now. Please leave your comments. This story has come at a time when many people (including me) have little doubt will one day be looked back upon with great sadness, possibly some shame and definitely considered the period of transition from football club to ruthless (underhanded, deceitful, secretive) business regardless of any successes the team achieve during it.

Email to Shelly (MUFC)

Hi Shelly,
Thought I’d drop you a note following our phone conversation last month. I’ve been reflecting on what we discussed, and whilst I wont harrass you,I would be grateful if you could table a couple of points.

When we discussed the increased cost of the membership, your management team told you that this year was no different to any other. i.e. the early renewal is not a discount – its a match of last years “full price”

This simply isnt true. The cost of membership in 2010/2011 was £30 and you got a 10% discount if you renewed early. For 2011/2012 – same goes. (I have email confirmation).

So my original complaint stands. The “discounted” cost this year isn’t that at all. Last year I paid £27.00. This year the minimum i can pay is £30. That’s not a discount.

I appreciate you said that you were already lobbying for transparancy on the website – more honest facts and figures regarding ticket allocations etc. Yet when I look at it today – the lack of honesty is all too apparent. Take the news that we are to float.

If I look at manutd.com right now – there is zero news about the planned floatation on the New York Stock Exchange.

And does that matter? All publications to date have been stating that the “debt is manageable.” So we are now right to be concerned when the official application to float contains a statement of “to reduce our indebtedness”

The “debt is manageable statement” does contradict what was being stated prior to the Glazer years. Mr David Gill himself, before the takeover, made this staement. “We’ve seen many examples of debt in football over the years and the difficulties it causes; we know what that means and we think that is inappropriate for this business”

Supporting United is a religion – and you can’t let it go. I still tell my friends today about how I wrote to United in 1990 asking for a Saturday job. If I didn’t have a job, I had no money to buy a ticket. the flip side, as I was at college, if I got a Saturday job, I would be working and therefore couldn’t go anyway.(We always played on Saturdays then)

So I basically asked them if I could come and work at Old Trafford and have the best of both worlds. United replied, and a week later I got a job selling tea and crisps in the stands. Fantastic. I had access to all parts of the ground, a significant staff discount and best of all, I got to watch united every week just for doing my job. [I even took my mum and dad to the club shop, and as my mum holds the door open for an elderly gentlemen, it only turns out to be Sir Matt Busby (that really did happen).]

Great memories mean i’m so sad now reflecting on recent years. The lack of honesty (that even as a current employee, you are campaigning for) shows a lack of respect to the genuine fans.

This week, Sir Alex has reiterated his support for the Glazers and said what wonderful owners they are. I’m not sure what reaction this press release was supposed to provoke, but a quick look at the United forums will tell you that it’s tasteless.

I’ll always be a fan, but I won’t be renewing my membership.

I’m done.

Paul

Email from Paul to myself including MUFC reply

Morning Ian – hope you are well.

I guess this concludes the efforts. What a journey.

At the beginning I was ignored,
Eventually I managed to get an acknowledged “Official Complaint”.
Then we went through some email exchanges where my issues where effectively dodged
Then the phone call from Shelley with “my management has said….”

And now?

Shelly has stated that it would be “inappropriate” to comment on a lot of what I have said. She does then choose to comment on one of the points, and but even that is a statement saying they are not allowed to make comment.

So they can’t comment on the floatation – that’s probably true. As an employee, Shelly is probably uncomfortable making a comment on David Gill – that too I can accept.

What leaves me in despair, is the telling me that membership renewal is “same as always”, when it isn’t. I then get a “no comment” response to challenging this outright lie – that’s what sticks in the throat.

My pursuit has been fairly relentless and largely, it has been supported. Yes, we’ve seen a couple of negative comments, accusations of “Whining” “it’s boring.” If you do publish this, and should anyone reading this think the same, then please – just stop reading.

The rewarding thing is to see the majority that leap to my defence. In doing so, they re-enforce the fact that that the “effort” is always worthwhile – even if the result is not forthcoming.

I’ll continue to lobby, and if I’ll keep in touch. I’ve not quite worked out what to do next, and as I won’t be a member anymore….do I lose the right to be vocal? I hope not. I reckon after years of attendance, I should still be in credit.

And of course – I’ve not stopped being a supporter of the team.

I’d like to contribute to RedRants whenever I can – either by posting on what you publish, or even by sending you some discussion points from time to time.

I should be really looking forward to the new season, yet I’m not. It really is a sad situation.

Kindest Regards

Paul