Ashling has insisted that this piece WAS NOT HER IDEA (News International/Murdoch interference ???) and was ment to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek. I can say that in the main her coverage has been good and she is one of the "friendly" journos with whom SU has regular contact. Anyway, she has witnessed first-hand the power of the United fan machine, which perhaps isn't such a bad learning experience, and is no doubt grateful to everyone for all the unsolicited pizzas ;-)
Oliver Houston In an email dated 22/10/2004 10:45:30 am GMT Daylight time, "Theresa Towle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > >Some irony in this report, surely? > >theresa > >-----Original Message----- >From: Tanya & Mark [mailto:Mark&[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: 22 October 2004 10:00 >To: SU US; SU Com; SU; IMUSA; RedDevils >Subject: [SU Committee] Anyone want to box Ashling's ears? > > >United can live American dream under Glazer >By Ashling O�Connor October 21st 2004 The Times > >Ten reasons why fans at Old Trafford should back the entrepreneur >To Listen to Manchester United supporters rage against a possible >takeover >by Malcolm Glazer, anyone would think that the man ate small children >for >breakfast. Bearded he may be, but the fans do not view the American >entrepreneur as Father Christmas. Rather, a red-nosed profiteer intent >on >filling his sack at the expense of the club. >But surely he can�t be that bad? He has amassed a fortune to become the >244th richest man in the United States and has a track record of >building >businesses. So, in a bid to be balanced, here are ten reasons why Glazer >could be good for United. > >1. Life After Rooney >The 18-year-old striker, costing �27 million, has blown United�s >transfer >budget for next season at a time when the team needs strengthening in >midfield and defence. Glazer has promised to inject money immediately >into >team-building, meaning that Sir Alex Ferguson will not have to sell to >buy >new players. > >2. Farewell To The Irish >John Magnier and J. P. McManus have caused huge headaches not only for >the >board, but for Ferguson, whose dispute with Magnier over Rock Of >Gibraltar, >the racehorse, destabilised the club and pulled United directors into a >controversy over corporate governance. Glazer plans to buy out the >Irishmen. > >3. Cracking America >Glazer�s working knowledge of the US market should be an asset for a >club >that has been striving to make an impact there in the past few years. At >the >very least, United should get some free shelf space for replica shirts >somewhere among the 6.3 million square feet of retail space in the malls >that Glazer owns across the country. > >4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers >The American football team had no prospects of success until Glazer >bought >the franchise, recruited a top coach and spent money on players. Within >three years they had won the Super Bowl. United may already have won >many >trophies but if the trend of recent performances continues, their game >will >undoubtedly need some raising. > >5. Anglo-American Trade >Britain and America may have a �special relationship� but neither >understands the other�s sports. Perhaps an American owning a leading >Premiership side would help to bridge the cultural and economic gap. �I >know >that Manchester United is one of the world�s most successful sports >franchises � and to the fans the �golden chalice� � and if a Brit was >purchasing the New York Yankees there would be an equal outcry,� Paul >Willies, chairman of the British- American Chamber of Commerce of Tampa >Bay, >said. �But encouraging trade and investment � in both directions � is >what >bonds our countries. So politics aside, I and the business community >applaud >the Glazers� bid.� > >6. Family Interest In A Family Club >Glazer, 76, has six children. Joel, one of his sons and vice-president >of >the Bucs, is said to understand the game his countrymen insist on >calling >soccer after sharing a room in college with a Tottenham Hotspur fan. > >7. Long-Term Commitment >Glazer wants to own United so badly that he has spent more than �200 >million >acquiring a minority stake. He has hardly played a stealth game by >buying a >little bit of the shares here and there, driving up the price in the >process. If would cost him about �800 million to own the club � an >investment that is going to take some years to pay back. > >8. Fans� Forums >Although he does not yet have them onside, Glazer wants to give >supporters >greater involvement in the way the club is run. Fans often know best, as >they will loudly tell you. Glazer is apparently willing to listen. > >9. Commercial Hunger >Even people against Glazer�s takeover believe that United�s commercial >deals >could be negotiated better. There could be more incentives for shirt >sales >if revenue-sharing splits with Nike were more in favour of the club. > >10. Cheap Tours >Instead of luxury training retreats to the Middle East, United could >save >money by putting the players up in Glazer�s trailer parks. > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/GtUolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Please use [EMAIL PROTECTED] for general discussion. To unsubscribe send a blank message (from the email account in question) to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Join as a full member of IMUSA today: http://www.imusa.org/join.htm Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/imusa/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
