I wish Glazer would go away!!!

[elricko]

It is very, very sad to see that today, the American Malcolm Glazer, has purchased majority shares in Manchester United. I foresee terrible problems with the angry supporters association, and cannot imagine one positive thing to evolve from this takeover. It was made so clear to this man, that he was not wanted in any way , and the situation is completely different to Abramovich and Chelsea.I realise that everything changes in life, but it is a debt-laden takeover, with only financial aspirations. These are dark days for Man. Utd., English football and the Prenier League.

[Loud Mouth Soup]

You wanted to be a PLC, you got what comes with it.

No pity for the ManU fans here.

[amacpher]

As if there weren't enough reasons to hate Man United...

[Jarrek]

I think those "dark days" are much too overhyped and overblown.

[nedved9]

Is Malcolm Glazer the same guy who owns the Tampa BAY bUCS.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST HERE I have not been following this story all that well.

Can someone please tell me Why the Manchester Utd supporters

are all up in arms. Is Glazer very dodgy, corrupt, etc. and at the same time this takeover is also debt ridden?

I need someone to explain the story to me.

[Bangoutoforder]

quote:Originally posted by nedved9

Is Malcolm Glazer the same guy who owns the Tampa BAY bUCS.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST HERE I have not been following this story all that well.

Can someone please tell me Why the Manchester Utd supporters

are all up in arms. Is Glazer very dodgy, corrupt, etc. and at the same time this takeover is also debt ridden?

I need someone to explain the story to me.

Thinly veiled anti-Americanism disguised as business acumen and. I'm going to enjoy this.

[Gordon]

Manchester's supporters wanted all of the advantages of being publically traded without any of the hassles that come with it. You know, the Billion pound injection that allowed them a decade of glory. Alas, that utopia is done now.

The objections to Glazer are: 300 million pounds of club debt incurred, Glazer's history with raising ticket prices, Glazer is goign to run it like a business not a passion, and more generally for all of us, his desire to find alternative revenue streams that would include trying to carve out his own TV deal. Sadly for him, I think he has mistaken the legend of Man U for the fact and will discover - much the same way as the Glascow teams last year - that legend does not hold up. Oh yeah, he is american.

From Glazer's point of view, the club will survive the debt load, fans will still by the tickets, it is a business, and he'll find enough - though not all he hopes - revenue. He'll still be an american, but I don't think he sees that as the drawback Man U fans do. Overall, I'd say his perspective is the accurate one.

[shaku_bert]

Several posters have brought up the fact that Glazer is American, which is creating bad feeling in Man U supporters. I hate to do it, but I also think it needs to be said that Glazer is Jewish, and there is rampant and blatant anti-semeticism in the UK media (see the BBC and the Guardian). We, here in North America don't really see much anti-semetic activity, but hating Jews is alive and well in Europe.

<Sorry if I've offended and UK residents or Europeans, but its true.>

<Sorry to hi-jack a soccer post with such depressing thoughts, but they are true>

edit

read my above post and I thought I had better edit it to say that I'm not claiming that all Man U fans or all English folk are anti-semetic nazis. I was just saying that antisemeticism is more prevalent in European media and to some extent in European society as a whole.

[RealGooner]

Anti- semitism may figure for some, but i just think Man U fans dont want this famous club that is based on history and passion to be run by some American bean-counter who has no clue or respect for those passions and traditions. Roman Abramovich loves soccer and just wants to own a winning team, that why he pours money in. Im not sure Glazer loves man U but rather sees it as a meal ticket? I'm with the fans on this one.

[RealGooner]

I would also add that other clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal seem to be Jewish-owned (Arsenal owned by one Mr Danny Fiszman), so maybe its nationality and motives that has more to do with it. I'm an Arsenal fan and I would prefer the club to be owned by a Jewish Briton who understands what the Gunners represent to the fans and the community rather than a Christian American who only sees the bottom line.

[RealGooner]

I would also add that other clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal seem to be Jewish-owned (Arsenal owned by one Mr Danny Fiszman), so maybe its nationality and motives that has more to do with it. I'm an Arsenal fan and I would prefer the club to be owned by a Jewish Briton who understands what the Gunners represent to the fans and the community rather than a Christian American who only sees the bottom line.

[Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by RealGooner

I would also add that other clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal seem to be Jewish-owned (Arsenal owned by one Mr Danny Fiszman), so maybe its nationality and motives that has more to do with it. I'm an Arsenal fan and I would prefer the club to be owned by a Jewish Briton who understands what the Gunners represent to the fans and the community rather than a Christian American who only sees the bottom line.

As a fan, I am sure that is the case, and as an Arsenal fan, I am glad the club is not publically traded. By going public, Man U earned a tremendous amount of cash that they put into players and having a dominant team as a result. A decade in which Man U won approximately half of the total number of titles they have to their credit. Well, here is the flip side: Been bought by a guy who might squeeze everything he can out of the club. Tough luck for them, but at least they'll have their memories to comfort them. Unlike the countless English fans whose clubs who were priced out of any real chance of success at the top level by Man U's cash and raids on their stars.

[Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by RealGooner

I would also add that other clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal seem to be Jewish-owned (Arsenal owned by one Mr Danny Fiszman), so maybe its nationality and motives that has more to do with it. I'm an Arsenal fan and I would prefer the club to be owned by a Jewish Briton who understands what the Gunners represent to the fans and the community rather than a Christian American who only sees the bottom line.

As a fan, I am sure that is the case, and as an Arsenal fan, I am glad the club is not publically traded. By going public, Man U earned a tremendous amount of cash that they put into players and having a dominant team as a result. A decade in which Man U won approximately half of the total number of titles they have to their credit. Well, here is the flip side: Been bought by a guy who might squeeze everything he can out of the club. Tough luck for them, but at least they'll have their memories to comfort them. Unlike the countless English fans whose clubs who were priced out of any real chance of success at the top level by Man U's cash and raids on their stars.

[Andrew W]

I find the whole thing quite amusing. One of the raging supporters says up to 20,000 Manure supporters could end up "burning" their seasons tickets.

Now maybe many of them could go back to supporting the clubs in the communities they came from when they originally jumped on the bandwagon. I'm sure Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and to a lesser extend Bolton and Wigan would love the support. Although, I'm not sure any of those places sell prawn sandwiches.

[Andrew W]

I find the whole thing quite amusing. One of the raging supporters says up to 20,000 Manure supporters could end up "burning" their seasons tickets.

Now maybe many of them could go back to supporting the clubs in the communities they came from when they originally jumped on the bandwagon. I'm sure Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, and to a lesser extend Bolton and Wigan would love the support. Although, I'm not sure any of those places sell prawn sandwiches.

[The Beaver]

Must admit I was pretty anxious to hear that a Yank was going to buy my dear old Canadiens several years ago, but it wasn't because he was American, to be honest. My concern, and this is probably reflected in the Man U fan uproar, is that Gillette would not give much of a damn about hockey and what the Habs mean to so many of their fans. I know now, that this is bollocks. Gillette may not know the game very well, but he is passionate about his team and has been doing his best to make it better and to honour its great tradition. Afterall, the tradition itself must prove lucrative to him.

Much of the same could be said of Glazer and Man U. Time will tell how passionate he is about the team, but if he makes savvy moves and actually shows up for games, then I think the fans will come around. A winning team is easy to love. I can understand how fans must worry that on the surface this is yet another sign of the US buying up the world, and if you have any sovereign pride--or general concern--I can understand this sentiment. Some of what we are hearing is "thinly veiled" anti-Americanism, absolutely, but it is always more complex than that. Anti-Americanism is often not what most people assume it to be (but I'll save that for another day).

As for anti-semitism, am I right in reading that the BBC and Guardian are responsible for airing anti-semitic material? Or do you mean to say that the BBC and The Guardian are covering peices that are exposing the rise or prevalence of anti-semitism in the UK and Europe? I mean, I thought the socialist media was a defender of civil rights.

[devioustrevor]

I didn't know Glazer was Jewish until just reading it here.

But I've always thought Glazer buying Man U was a bad thing. In American business circles he's a well-known shark. He'll buy companies and sell off their assests piecemeal to make as much money as possible.

[Daniel]

I think it's more anti-Americanism than anti-semitism.

As for American owners, we here in Montréal have had both good and bad: Gillette and Wettenhall have been good, whereas Loria couldn't cooperate with the locals and sucked big time.

[shaku_bert]

Hi Beaver! I don't how much we should get into all this (we may have to agree to disagree). What I am saying is that, from an editorial standpoint, I believe that much of the UK media, specifically the beeb and the guardian, take anti-jewish in general and anti-israel in particular standpoints. I state this not as a jew (I'm a lapsed Ukrainian Catholic) but as someone who enjoys keeping up to date on world events and how these events are covered. Here are some links I dug up that show bias:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gross200406181018.asp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,10551,1346300,00.html

the guardian article is really telling. Yassir arafat will go down in history as one of the most corrupt despots of all time.

Anyhoo, Im almost sort of sorry I posted what I did. we should be Canadian soccer fans first on this forum and leave our politics out of everything here. But I can't leave your comment on socialist media to go without saying "socialism = bad". No matter what.

I'm off to watch cooking shows!

[elricko]

I believe in speaking my mind, and I am shocked and dismayed re. Glazer's takeover, purely because of the financial ramifications, and I'm a Chelsea fan through and through!!!----But I do not understand why forum members have to bring into question Glazer's race , religeon or ethinticity, why should these subjects even be raised--what do you guys read? Come to think of it, nobody has asked if he's "gay"!!!Who's gonna be the first?

[Daniel]

Because it can't be denied that had a Briton done this it wouldn't had gotten as much press. Glazer is the "big bad American businessman who doesn't know soccer and will only expploit ManU for $$$".

[argh1]

I can't say that Mr. Glazer's ownership brings out any emotion in me one way or the other. But I am baffled by reports that he wants to get a special TV deal for ManU. Aren't the T-Bay Bucs in that league with a very hard salary cap (no guaranteed contracts), revenue sharing as well as national and international TV is done by the league. This arrangement has worked very well. You'd think he'd be more in favour of branding the EPL collectivly, so to speak.

[Massive Attack]

Wow, ManUre fans are a bunch of xenophobic idiots. If they start to boycott the team and stop buying tickets/mechandise, the team will be worse off then they already are (and team already is in decline anyway). Does anyone else see the massive irony in fans of one of the wealthiest soccer clubs crying about the virtues of their beloved club? ManUre is a business first. If their fans haven't realized that they should get their heads out of their collective asses. What a bunch of sucks.

Well, at least this should be interesting.

[The Beaver]

quote:Originally posted by shaku_bert

Hi Beaver! I don't how much we should get into all this (we may have to agree to disagree). What I am saying is that, from an editorial standpoint, I believe that much of the UK media, specifically the beeb and the guardian, take anti-jewish in general and anti-israel in particular standpoints. I state this not as a jew (I'm a lapsed Ukrainian Catholic) but as someone who enjoys keeping up to date on world events and how these events are covered. Here are some links I dug up that show bias:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gross200406181018.asp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,10551,1346300,00.html

the guardian article is really telling. Yassir arafat will go down in history as one of the most corrupt despots of all time.

Anyhoo, Im almost sort of sorry I posted what I did. we should be Canadian soccer fans first on this forum and leave our politics out of everything here. But I can't leave your comment on socialist media to go without saying "socialism = bad". No matter what.

I'm off to watch cooking shows!

Shaku Bert, mi amigo. To be honest, I'm not really sure what you are getting at here, so I'll prod for some clarification. (This is honest prodding, not rhetoric. You are not particularly clear in a few places and I want to be sure I've got you right.)

Are you certain that the BBC and the Guardian are anti-semitic and anti-Israel. I find this very hard to believe. Do you find the CBC anti-semitic and anti-Israel? Please explain to me very specifically how the BBC and Guardian are anti-semitic. I do not read or see their reports very often so I'd be glad to hear what you've seen.

Secondly, what are you saying aboout socialism? Do you think it is "bad," and if so, what does "bad" mean? Or, are you a proponent of socialist ideology? This is very unclear to me.

Please tell me that you do NOT think that the best, most honest, most objective news coverage in the world is Fox News. Please, I pray this is not the case. (And I'm not even a praying man anymore, being a lapsed Roman Catholic.)

[The Beaver]

Oh my goodness, Shaku Bert! Time to put on your thinking cap, sonny Jim. Go back and read the Guardian article you posted again (and again and again). Read it with an open mind. Read it with the thought that it just might be possible that Israel also plays a role in the strife in that region. Did you actually read the damn thing? The writer does not claim that the Palestinians are innocent absolutely. Nor does he claim that Arafat is some sinless saint. Do you actually know what is really going on in Israel? Do you really know the realities of what Palestinians AND Israelis face each day?

I find it disgusting that you've suggested that the Guardian is anti-semitic. That is an irresponsible and sickening claim. If this article is meant to be an example of the Guardians anti-semitism, then I think you need to get some sensitivity training. Wagner was an anti-semite. Hitler and a good chunk of the Nazis were anti-semites. Arguing that Israel has played and plays a real role in the oppression of the Palestinian people is not anti-semitism. That is a sick and cheap argument. That is like saying that anyone who criticizes the US's foreign policy is anti-american. Bollocks! That is like saying that anybody who criticizes the genocide in Rwanda is racist or anti-black or anti-african. Grow up and do some deeper thinking!

The situation in Israel is a mess. The Palestinian militant groups are sons-of-bitches, yes. No doubt about it. Evil bastards, really. But Israel has done some bastardly things too. To be a Palestinian means being a 3rd rate citizen. It is humiliating; degrading. Israel is not innocent. Israel could do much better. And, aside from the ultra conservatives, most Israelis feel that the Palestinians should have the rule of their own lands.

As for Manchester United: Don't piss on Glazer! He's not at fault for buying the team. He's done it legally and with no subterfuge. I imagine he sees it as a good investment. If you want to piss on somebody, piss on the dudes who brought the team public. Maybe that is what they are doing, but it seems that Glazer is taking all the heat unfairly.