The Red Report: Captain Rio, The Glazers & Liverpool

Last Friday I’m sure you are aware the club released financial figures detailing record profits but also record losses. We decided to discuss our own personal stances on the Glazers.

Chudi:

I remember being young at the time of the takeover and not fully understanding the implications of the whole thing but now with my own eyes I am seeing it.

A lot of people are in the boat of lets just support the club but if we turn a blind eye to the Glazers then it’s likely the situation will get worse.

I think we should carry on breathing down the back of their necks; we must remain diligent as in reality we are dealing with the future of our club. Many people are still in the frame of mind that we are Manchester United we are too big a club to go down the route of other clubs but when it come time to collect their money the people the Glazers have left us in debt to really won’t care!

Sid:

I always thought a football club must be owned by someone who’s a fan of the club or at least knows the sport. I’m a supporter of the G&G movement and I think it’s time the Glazers leave. The Club can’t be really expected to spend millions to buy players, and then also pay $80 million yearly too.

No matter what David Gill says, short term or long term, it’s just sad to see United loaded with such huge debt!

TG:

Manchester United’s financial situation looks to be perilous, yet you have to admire those who are trying their utmost in getting their voices heard. I’m fully behind the Green and Gold protests, as it has, without doubt most importantly, raised awareness for the cause. Others may see it as an army of deluded Norwich City supporters, but to us United fans, it is a symbol of hope. It’s gained plenty of coverage, not only in national papers but on the web too, where potentially the support can grow in number. United fans are making their stand, making their voices heard…it must, must, must continue until we finally get our wish.

Kyle:

My views on the boycott are probably not the most popular. I despise the Glazers; I feel I need to make that absolutely clear. I want them out as much as everyone else, but I don’t think boycotting is necessarily our best option.

Fans complain that we don’t have the money to reinforce the squad, but at the same time they are starving the club’s of funds. The Glazers and United are now intertwined from a financial standpoint, we need to accept that. Boycotting the Glazers financially means boycotting our club financially. The truth is the club needs money now more than ever.

I like the green and gold campaign as it is an excellent protest in terms of gaining awareness to the cause. It has generated headlines and coverage in the press, and it’s an incredible sight to see the stands at Old Trafford decked in green and gold. I understand where people are coming from with the boycott, and if it were possible without hurting the club, I’d be 100% behind. Sadly, even if the boycott was successful in chasing the Glazers away, I can’t help but think it would come at the cost of the club’s success, which I don’t think should be sacrificed.

Yolkie:

I’ve been getting grief about my own opinion but maybe that was the way I put it across on Twitter.

I don’t like the Glazers, I thought they were a nightmare waiting to happen, I made the decision to boycott in 2007 and it hasn’t been great. I started a Green and Gold campaign for Stretford-End.com and wrote to Nike and the club asking them to help protect what little relationship exists with the club and the fans.

The most important thing is that we need to let United supporters worldwide know they have a voice. It’s brilliant that fans locally are making a stand but with the advent of the Internet, there’s actually a real possibility for some of the estimated 300m worldwide supporters to make their opinions heard.

Of course you have to account for the number of fair-weather fans who thought the Glazers were ok when they took over or just want to see big money signings but those proper supporters who want what’s best for the club, even if there is only a mere 10% of “hardcore support” worldwide, that amounts for 30million people, almost half the population of Britain in number!