Joel Glazer (2nd from left), Avram Glazer (2nd from right) and Brian Glazer (right) with Sir Bobby Charlton after their takeover in June 2005. Photo: Getty Images/Getty Images
In many ways, the fact that the Glazer family couldn't attend the funeral of the most iconic player in the history of the football club they own says more than any protest.
As thousands of people gathered in Manchester to pay tribute to the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton, the Glazers decided to stay away due to fears their presence could be a distraction.
Lots of Manchester. United fans say this is nothing new. After all, the less visible Glazers sought refuge on the other side of the Atlantic for much of the 18 years during which they ruled Old Trafford.
However, they chose not to attend Manchester Cathedral to say goodbye to a figure who, in the eyes of many fans, embodied the very values of the club that they accuse the Glazers of trampling all over the place.
Just drink it for a moment. The owners of one of the world's most famous football clubs did not attend the funeral of one of its most famous sons, a player who returned to action just weeks after so many of his teammates tragically died in Munich. air disaster due to fear of backlash.
This is not the first time they have done United fans a disservice. As undesirable as the Americans were at United, the fans had no intention of turning Charlton's funeral into some sort of anti-Glazer rally.
Mourners pay their respects as a hearse carrying Sir Bobby Charlton's coffin passes Old Trafford. Photo: Getty Images/Oli Scarff
The funeral cortege slowly crept across the Old Trafford forecourt, with one fan tossing his red shirt onto the bonnet of the hearse carrying Charlton's coffin, as thousands of supporters cheered solemnly in silence, a banner in the background reading: ” Sir Bobby, the legacy you have left us is history, dignity & honesty. Our promise to you is that we will protect this legacy and keep the red flag flying high.”
It was 1958, the fan group had been behind many of the demonstrations against the owners over the past 18 months, and they later issued a statement in response to the Glazers' no-show.
“It's happening. Unsurprisingly, no one from the Glazer family seemed to bother paying their respects at the funeral of arguably our greatest ever player,” the report said.
“The Glazers have proven time and time again that they are alienated from the football club and fans and this is yet another disgraceful example. In our opinion, they simply view Manchester United as a cash cow. They are not fit to be the owners of the greatest football club in the world, with a rich history and tradition embodied by the skills of players like Sir Bobby.”
Not that the Glazers' absence was going to be mourned. “I think we can speak for the majority of fans that we are glad they did not cause any unwanted distractions,” the statement continued. “They would not welcome a man who embodied everything that is good about our club. Honor, integrity and dignity. However, it is disappointing that there has been no public statement from them today or the sad passing of Lady Katie [Ferguson, wife of Sir Alex Ferguson].”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is hoping to complete the purchase of the 25th car. per cent of United's shares later this week, almost a year since the Glazers first announced their “strategic review” of the club. You won't find many fans who don't hope this will be the beginning of the end of their rotten career.
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