For some years now, I have said to my son that once Fergie retires, that's me done, I'm not renewing my season tickets. Having followed United home and away since my first season in 1963 ( hence the name ) I dare not count up the total cost, which far exceeds my mortgages etc. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret a single penny I have spent following United because of the pleasure they have given me over the years ( not to mention the heart ache and frustration, hey but that's United !) The big question is do I stick to my guns or do I just give it another season and see what David Moyes has to offer ? I reach a certain age in September and I understand from United that a season ticket will then be half price. Do I give this opportunity up, having spent a small fortune over the years or do I renew thinking United are very generous for making me this offer ? This is where you guys come in, I'm not sure how to set a vote up on this forum but I'm sure the likes of Swarbs will. I only have until Friday to secure my seats , so I am asking you fellow Reds to help me make up my mind. Thanks in anticipation
Depends on whether you still enjoy and have the energy to go surely? I would base it on that rather then who is in the managers seat.
I'd renew. Curiosity would make me do it alone. You've got the added incentive then of it being half price after this season if you want to carry on. It must be a pain in the arse not knowing what day the match is going to be on though, one of the downsides to it.
You're right Ruff the most frustrating part of following United is that " Sky" dictates when we play most of our games. The time slot from 12:15 on a Saturday to 8 pm on a Monday night makes planning your travel arrangements a nightmare at times. I spend a lot of time in Spain ( Lanzarote ) mainly through the winter and need to book flights well in advance to get good deals but have been caught out several times, when matches have been moved at the last minute ! It would be great to go back to " The good old days " when all teams kicked off at 3 : 00 on a Saturday afternoon and you could plan your life around that fact.However life moves on and you have to adjust or give up the habit, which gets harder the longer you support your team. Once United is in your blood, it's there for life and I am guilty of corrupting my lad, who is just as mad about the Reds as me, by getting him involved from an earlier age than I was.
I've not had a season ticket since the late 90's but my older brother continued his for a good few years after. He lives only eight miles from the ground and got pig sick of not knowing when the match would be so in the end they all just sacked it and gave up. It puts pressure on your home life too, nothing can be planned. Nagging wife or girlfriend upset by having that day out cancelled due to the match being changed to a mid day sunday kick off!! Sky put money into the game, yes, but they care absolutely zero for match going supporters.
Wow we are starting to sound like two old moaning bastards, but you are right about disrupting family life and I have faced " Divorce threatening decisions " many times, not to mention falling out with the extended family by missing family functions etc. I once missed the sit down meal at a family wedding, after the starter course, so I could sneak off and watch United play at Spurs on tv in a nearby bar. I got back for the dancing and free bar, so all wasn't lost and we won 3-4 but was starving by the time the evening buffet arrived !
I made the same point on UIR's £3 billion thread - it's now reached the point where even clubs with big matchgoing fanbases like Utd and Arsenal earn more from Sky than they do from their own fans. And the less supported clubs like Wigan and City pick up ten times as much more from broadcasting money than they do from their fans. So is it any wonder these clubs care very little about their own fans? I think it'll only be a matter of time before the 3pm Saturday kickoff becomes just another televised kick off time to try and broadcast as many matches as possible. Personally I'd stick with it for now - as long as Utd keep treating you right with the 50% reduction and the games are still convenient enough to get to. But don't stick with them if Utd or the PL try to piss you around too much by moving games around etc.
I'd renew it. Always believed in the saying "You don't know what you've got till it's gone". Saturday's (or in United's case, Sunday's) won't be the same after a while. That said, I find the longer you don't go, the easier it gets.
If you mean that I have kept the same opinion of Below Average Moyes then yes, I guess I am being unoriginal or consistent. Either way he's going to fail spectacularly.
You have to be able to afford a pint to justify being in one in the first place. Problem not a problem for him
If you keep saying it you might eventually convince yourself that it's true. You certainly seemed concerned enough to keep harping on about it!
Just think, your new manager was turned down by UTD for Sir David, that must hurt you and your fellow fans
Just think, your new manager was turned down by UTD for Sir David, that must hurt you and your fellow fans
Well he wasn't turned down and we got the best manager in the world. So no we're not hurt. You lot however are lumbered with Mr Average. I feel your pain.
