Premier League football club Manchester United's supporters aimed a dig at the club's higher management regarding the rising ticket prices. The issue has become more personal for the fans who sit in the lower section of the Bobby Charlton stand.
The 81-year-old United fan, Michael Carney, displayed a homemade placard directed at Manchester United's hierarchy during the derby on Sunday. He held the sign toward the Old Trafford directors' box in the second half of the 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
"I was sat here before you were born!" read his placard.
Legacy Fans not given the deserved respect
Carney has been using the same seat since 1980 and saw the rise and fall of the Red Devils' empire. In a recent interview with BBC Sport at his home, Carney named the legendary players he has witnessed firsthand: the iconic Busby Babes, the Holy Trinity of George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Denis Law, the formidable 1980s team led by Bryan Robson, the unforgettable 1999 Treble, and the Champions League-winning squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It is very sad after all these years. They could put you anywhere, and I don't think you will be able to argue much. If you don't like it, clear off." he said.
Loyal long-term fans at Manchester United are not the only ones feeling sidelined; a growing number of match-going supporters across the Premier League share this sentiment. There is increasing concern that season ticket allocations are being reduced to make room for more profitable "tourist".
"They are brilliant seats," he said. "Mine is smack on the halfway line, midway between the dug-outs and the directors' box. One way of looking at it is that we have been fortunate to be sitting there for all those years - but you get used to it." He said.
"It has been happening on an individual basis for some time now. Before every game, you get an email saying if you can't make the game, let them know and they will give you your money back. If you have not been, the lads around will ask whoever is in the seat how much they paid for it. Very often it would be £250-£300. That is a good way of seeing what they want to do now, taking everyone out en-bloc." He added.
Carney has been informed that the club will reach out to discuss his options, although he has yet to receive that call. Manchester United are set to clash against Club Lyon in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League on April 10th.
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