NEW STANDS TO STRIKE A BALANCE
‘Manchester United have pledged to “strike a balance”
between the commercial urge for more corporate hospitality
at Old Trafford and the desire to accommodate more
supporters. David Gill, the chief executive, yesterday
unveiled plans to spend £45 million expanding the stadium to
75,000 seats in a move that would double the size of the
area set aside for entertaining those dubbed “the prawn
sandwich brigade” by Roy Keane.
‘Gill stopped short, however, of saying how many of the
extra 7,500 seats would be allocated to fans. “More than 50
per cent of those would be for the fans, but we are not yet
prepared to give the exact split,” he said after reporting
pre-tax profits of £26.8 million and turnover of £92.4
million for the six months to January. “The fans understand
that we have to strike a balance. We are turning people away
at the gates, which is something we want to address.”
‘Work on the northeast and northwest quadrants of Old
Trafford would begin in a year, subject to a feasibility
study and planning permission. The new seats could be ready
for the 2006-07 season. There would be no loss of the
present 67,500 capacity during construction. The project
would protect United’s claim to have the biggest ground in
English football as Arsenal prepare to close the financial
gap by moving to a new 60,000-seat stadium and Chelsea
consider an expansion of Stamford Bridge.
‘Since flotation in 1991, United have spent £173.3 million
upgrading Old Trafford: none of the money is owing. Nearly
half United’s income is generated through gate receipts,
hospitality, catering and season tickets, although fewer
Champions League matches this season and no domestic home
cup games in the period to January meant a 15 per cent drop
in match-day income year on year, from £42.9 million to
£36.3 million.
‘The United board cannot ignore the lucrative hospitality
market if it is to maintain ticket prices at levels that
Gill deems to be “competitive in terms of the product”.
However, it risks alienating grassroots supporters if it is
seen to put too much emphasis on corporate seating — which
at present represents nearly 9 per cent of Old Trafford — at
the expense of true fans.’
between the commercial urge for more corporate hospitality
at Old Trafford and the desire to accommodate more
supporters. David Gill, the chief executive, yesterday
unveiled plans to spend £45 million expanding the stadium to
75,000 seats in a move that would double the size of the
area set aside for entertaining those dubbed “the prawn
sandwich brigade” by Roy Keane.
‘Gill stopped short, however, of saying how many of the
extra 7,500 seats would be allocated to fans. “More than 50
per cent of those would be for the fans, but we are not yet
prepared to give the exact split,” he said after reporting
pre-tax profits of £26.8 million and turnover of £92.4
million for the six months to January. “The fans understand
that we have to strike a balance. We are turning people away
at the gates, which is something we want to address.”
‘Work on the northeast and northwest quadrants of Old
Trafford would begin in a year, subject to a feasibility
study and planning permission. The new seats could be ready
for the 2006-07 season. There would be no loss of the
present 67,500 capacity during construction. The project
would protect United’s claim to have the biggest ground in
English football as Arsenal prepare to close the financial
gap by moving to a new 60,000-seat stadium and Chelsea
consider an expansion of Stamford Bridge.
‘Since flotation in 1991, United have spent £173.3 million
upgrading Old Trafford: none of the money is owing. Nearly
half United’s income is generated through gate receipts,
hospitality, catering and season tickets, although fewer
Champions League matches this season and no domestic home
cup games in the period to January meant a 15 per cent drop
in match-day income year on year, from £42.9 million to
£36.3 million.
‘The United board cannot ignore the lucrative hospitality
market if it is to maintain ticket prices at levels that
Gill deems to be “competitive in terms of the product”.
However, it risks alienating grassroots supporters if it is
seen to put too much emphasis on corporate seating — which
at present represents nearly 9 per cent of Old Trafford — at
the expense of true fans.’