Manchester United Abandoned Premier League Fixture – 6 months on

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Press Release

Manchester United fail to investigate abandonment six months on

Six months after the mass evacuation of the UK’s biggest league football ground following a bomb scare, not one official response has been released to reassure fans that it will not be repeated.

Manchester United’s fixture against Bournemouth at the climax of the Premier League season on 15 May was abandoned shortly before kick-off following the discovery of a suspect device, which was later discovered to be a training device left at the stadium following a routine exercise earlier that week.

Freedom of information requests up to 1 October 2016, raised by AFC Bournemouth supporters group Cherries Trust, reveal that none of Greater Manchester Police, Trafford Council, Sports Ground Safety Authority or Manchester United Football Club themselves, have disclosed records of a single recorded formal meeting taking place to investigate how the incident was allowed to happen or how safety can be improved in future.

Directly after the event, Manchester United executive vice chairman, Ed Woodward, was keen to reassure fans that “The safety of fans is always our highest priority”, promising to “investigate the incident to inform future actions and decisions.” The details of this investigation are yet to have been made public.

Greater Manchester Police hold no records now of the multi-agency debrief held following this unprecedented event as they were not actioned, but internal communications reveal that after the call to evacuate the ground was made, many thousands of fans were still allowed to enter the stadium, and the ground took approximately 90 minutes to fully empty. Players were also allowed to warm up on the pitch after the evacuation was called. Trafford Council have yet to release any record of an investigation from the Premier League club.

Cherries Trust chairman, Tony Maycock, states “This is first and foremost about ensuring the safety of fans at a football ground. Manchester United failed to ensure that their venue was safe for the thousands of fans who travelled to Old Trafford in May. Six months later, they appear to have shown no effort to make sure this won’t happen again. One of the absolute essentials for fans is that they travel in the knowledge that all measures have been taken to ensure the ground they are visiting is safe, and on this occasion Manchester United failed to ensure this was the case, and in the process inconvenienced 75,000 football fans who had travelled from around the world to watch this end of season Premier League fixture.”

Cherries Trust, amongst other bodies, believe that Manchester United FC was ultimately responsible for the abandonment of the fixture through the incomplete safety searching of Old Trafford. In protracted discussions between Cherries Trust and Manchester United Football Club since the event, the Old Trafford club have repeatedly stated that they do not see themselves as being at fault, in spite of having resumed control of the ground after the failed dog handler training on the Wednesday before the incident, and having performed a security sweep prior to opening the gates to fans. In contrast to this, Manchester United have compensated fans for the cancellation of their friendly in China against Manchester City by offering free entry to a Europa League tie and a free top – a game they obviously were not at fault for the cancellation of.

Those fans distressed by the events on the day, and football fans of all clubs who want to enjoy a game in safety, deserve to know that the human errors that caused this abandonment will not be repeated. Manchester United have done nothing to indicate that this is the case.

Cherries Trust is an independent supporters trust, affiliated with Supporters Direct. Its views do not reflect those of AFC Bournemouth.

Meeting with AFC Bournemouth 21/9/2016

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Cherries Trust representatives discussed the events at last night’s EFL Cup game at a meeting with AFC Bournemouth General Manager Liz Finney this evening.

In an open and frank conversation the Trust communicated the experiences and frustrations of our members and other supporters.
The meeting, which was arranged prior to the cup tie, discussed the root causes of the issues encountered and the lessons learned.
We cannot comment in detail at the moment but are happy that the club understand and take seriously the feedback that was given to them, that the ticket office staff did everything possible to deal with the developing situation on the night and that the lessons learned will be acted upon.

Focus Groups

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Cherries Trust, in cooperation with AFC Bournemouth, are looking for supporters to join this seasons Fans Focus Groups.

We will be running 3 groups

  • Disabled
  • Family
  • General

If you are interested in helping to get your concerns, thoughts and ideas to AFC Bournemouth then please contact enquiries@cherriestrust.co.uk or liz.finney@afcb.co.uk stating which group you would like to be involved with.
Numbers are limited and will be selected on a strictly first come first served basis.

Manchester United accused of evading responsibility for the safety of match going fans

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The Cherries Trust issued the following press release on 28th July 2016.

Following protracted discussions between Cherries Trust and Manchester United Football Club, the Old Trafford club have repeatedly stated that they do not see themselves as being at fault and, therefore, no further action or compensation is required. This leaves many fans of both clubs left to carry the cost of travel and accommodation.

In the latest response (dated 25 July), Manchester United’s Head of Ticket and Membership Operations, Sam Kelleher, asserts the club’s stance that refunding of match tickets, and allowing free entry to the rescheduled game is sufficient recompense, and beyond what they were obliged to do – a real gesture of goodwill.

In earlier correspondence, Manchester United have been adamant that the 75,000 fans in attendance have ‘no entitlement to recover any expenses’ and that refunding any match tickets was ‘something that it was not required to do’.
Mr Kelleher quotes from Manchester United’s terms of sale that ‘the club shall have no liability whatsoever to any ticket holder save that the ticket holder shall be entitled to attend any rearranged match’ reinforcing that free entry was a requirement for the rescheduled fixture. Premier League Rule R5 (2015/2016), covering ticketing, also stipulates that “abandonment after spectators admitted to the Stadium, but before kick-off – free admission to the rearranged League Match”.

It is the assertion of Cherries Trust that, in the short time frame between the abandoned fixture and rescheduled game, Manchester United FC had no option but to offer what they did. Their own terms and conditions state that free entry had to be offered to the rescheduled fixture, and a previous ruling by the Office of Fair Trading shows that the cost of the ticket for the original game had to be refunded.

Manchester United FC are correct that they have no say in the abandonment, but at no time has anyone apologised for the security errors caused by contractors of Manchester United in the incompetent searching, and making safe, of Old Trafford for visiting fans (both of AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United FC). Furthermore, there is the initial failure of Security Search Management & Solutions (SSM&S) to complete the training exercise for Deacons Canines on the preceding Wednesday. SSM&S inability to successfully complete their training, and Manchester United’s failure to ensure the safety of their venue through their approved contractors, brings in to question how many other Health and Safety Executive regulations had been breached.

It is a fundamental of the game that stadia are safe to visit. As fans, we are all aware that acts of god and unforeseen incidents can happen, but to be told that an incident like this was unavoidable is insulting. The purpose of security sweeps and safety drills are that these incidents are anticipated, it is just very unwelcome when events do happen. A series of human errors resulted in the disappointment of approximately 75000 fans who had travelled in good faith that their hosts have made the venue safe.

Manchester United FC are also ignoring the distress caused to fans of all ages, and especially younger children, who were detained within Old Trafford, as well as friends and family watching and listening, whilst news was breaking on social media that there was a credible device in the ground.

Manchester United FC failed to ensure their venue was safe. Fans should not be expected to accept their statement that their offer was a gesture of goodwill, or any more than what they have to offer according to their own terms and other proven precedents. Fans are the lifeblood of the game, not the massively wealthy clubs. Without the fans there is no football.

Cherries Trust, amongst other bodies, believe that Manchester United FC were in no small part directly responsible for the abandonment of the Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth on May 15th 2016, through the incomplete safety searching of Old Trafford. They failed to ensure that their venue was safe for its visitors. They are lucky that on this occasion the credible device turned out to be a dummy device left as a result of failed dog training provided by SSM&S, and not an actual device left by perpetrators with more sinister plans.

We hope that Manchester United FC will reconsider their decision and, in accepting responsibility, see fit to offer due recompense to the thousands of fans who arrived with the intention of watching a football match in a secure environment. Cherries Trust and other bodies will continue to challenge the club’s belief that they did nothing wrong, in the hope that the wellbeing of fans is given due priority in future.

Cherries Trust is an independent supporters trust, affiliated with Supporters Direct. Its views do not reflect those of AFC Bournemouth.

Read the full Cherries Trust MUFC Press Release 26/07/2016

AFC Bournemouth Ticketing

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The Cherries Trust are very disappointed at the current situation with the ongoing ticketing problems at AFC Bournemouth.
When ticketing was difficult for purchasing online tickets for the Valencia and Cardiff friendlies, we would have expected the ticketing to have taken a major priority with the fast arriving league season.
The club now sees itself in a situation of having supporters having to queue around the ground to purchase tickets for the upcoming home fixture with Manchester United FC as online purchasing is still unavailable.
Disabled supporters are being affected more than most here too. It is difficult at the best of times, but to now have to stand and queue for long periods in the warm weather is not conducive to the care and health of that person. To quote one disabled supporter “Disabled and able bodied customers are being subjected to antiquarian measures and it is not good enough!”
For a club with the Premier League riches it now enjoys, these scenes are reminiscent of days of old in lower leagues with a ticketing system that was creaking due to not being able to afford a decent system.
It is not acceptable that AFC Bournemouth expect fans to pay Premier League prices for a lower league service, and the long suffering fans deserve better.
Unless there is a very quick change, the exact same problems will occur when tickets for the upcoming away fixture at West Ham United go on sale, with the added complication that the remaining Manchester United tickets may well be on sale to larger pool of fans, and at the same time, the club store is expecting to be selling replica shirts.

We urge the club to issue an update on the likelihood of the same problems occuring for the next fixture as soon as is possible.

At the recent Cherries Trust AGM, the update from Liz Finney was that it was likely that season tickets were to start being posted from the middle of last week, and that the club already had them. At the time of writing, these also do not appear to have arrived, and we request that an update is also issued on the likely arrival date of season tickets.

Cherries Trust Elections and Board

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On Wednesday 13th July Cherries Trust held their inaugural board elections, and on Tuesday 19th July the board elected officials.

The Cherries Trust Board is as follows

Chair – Tony Maycock
Vice Chair – Stuart Bramley
Treasurer – Robin Latchem

Julie Birkbeck
Damien Hill
Kerry Smith
Gary Hickson
Lance Phayer
James Swyer

The Cherries Trust are yet to find a permanent secretary, and if you feel you would like to serve in that role and are already a member, then please contact Cherries Trust on

enquiries@cherriestrust.co.uk

or write to us at

Cherries Trust
Stephen House
23A Bargates
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 1QD

Statement about Manchester United Abandoned League Fixture

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Recently Cherries Trust received communication from Manchester United absolving themselves of blame for the abandoned fixture at the end of 2015/2016 season.

After consultation with members and fans we have today responded to Manchester United with the following communication.

To Whom It May Concern

 

The Cherries Trust have taken some time to review the official response from Manchester United FC with regards to the postponed Premier League fixture in May 2016, and taking in to account the feedback we have received from our membership and the wider AFC Bournemouth supporter base, we do not believe that what has been offered is appropriate for the nature of the abandonment.
Once again, we reiterate that the abandonment was totally avoidable and do not believe that Manchester United were without blame, insofar as suggesting that the abandonment was due to negligence. Having opened the doors for all fans to enter, Manchester United FC  indicated that Old Trafford was safe for their guests. The fact that a viable device had been on their premises for 4 days and had evaded security sweeps shows that their security was at fault.
Once again, fans are being treated with contempt by footballing administrators, who blindly believe that fans will continue to attend with rising matchday prices, rising memorabilia costs, rising reproduction kit costs. Discontent is growing amongst fans about these rising costs, and the way in which they are treated. Fans have taken to mass demonstrations, in ground protests, venting their anger on talk shows and this will continue while the administrators, sponsors and broadcasters treat fans as cash cows. Broadcasters would dislike the ultimate action of fans and broadcast live games with empty stadia, but unless fans are given the acknowledgement they have earnt at each and every club in this country the protests and boycotts will increase in volume and size.

The Cherries Trust is asking Manchester United to consider the fans of both clubs that were affected by this abandonment.
Additionally, refusing to cover travel costs for those attending the hastily rearranged fixture, and having a fixture when 10,000’s of people were unable and unwilling to attend, made their offering unavailable to all who had tickets for the original fixture.

We call upon Manchester United to review their decision and either look to compensate fans for their travel to the original fixture, or propose a package for the same fixture in the 2016/17 season. Even if Manchester United offered each travelling AFC Bournemouth fan a reasonable nominal sum of £100 to cover their costs, this would equate to a small but significant amount to both fans and Manchester United alike.

This communication has also been forward to The FSF and Premier League

AGM Agenda and Candidates For Election

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The Cherries Trust is holding its AGM on the 13th July 2016 as per the notice below.

The Trust asks attendees to bring some form of identification with them so that you can be verified for voting purposes.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH COMMUNITY MUTUAL LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of the above Society will be held in the 1910 Bar at the Vitality Stadium, Kings Park,  Boscombe at 7:30pm on Wednesday 13th July 2016.
Agenda:

1. Members Present and Apologies
2. Progress Report from the Cherries Trust Steering Committee
3. Annual Report from the Treasurer and to receive the accounts for the year ended December 2015.
4. Voting Topics (a) Vote to Approve the Accounts for the year ended December 2015.
(b)To approve a resolution to remove the need for an audit of the accounts  in respect of the current financial year ending December 2016.
(c) EMG to conduct voting for Board Members (i) Vote for Damien Hill to join the Board
(ii) Vote for Tony Maycock to join the Board
(iii) Vote for James Swyer to join the Board (iv) Vote for Gary Hickson to join the Board (v) Vote for Julie Birkbeck to join the Board
(vi) Vote for Kerry Smith to join the Board
(vii) Vote for Stu Bramley to join the Board (viii) Vote for Robin Latchem to join the Board (ix) Vote for Lance Phayer to join the Board (x) Vote for Geoff Cooper to join the Board
Meeting Ended
Dated 29th June 2016
By Order of the Board
Matthew Heasman Company Secretary Registered Office: Stephen House, 23A Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1QD

Cherries Trust Inaugural Elections

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The Cherries Trust would like to announce our AGM to be held, subject to
confirmation and notification, in the 1910 Bar at Dean Court on Wednesday 13th July commencing at 7.30pm. This event is open to all Members. There will also be a question and answer session after the AGM which is open to all Member questions on the Cherries Trust.

On this night, as part of the AGM, we will be holding our elections to select the inaugural board of the Cherries Trust. The board positions, as per the terms of membership, are open to Full Members only.

The full existing board is stepping down making 12 spaces available for election. In the event that 12 or less candidates offer themselves for election the candidates will, by default, not have to be put to ballot and so would be ratified by approval of the members at the AGM. There must be a minimum of 4 candidates for the Trust Board to be quorate.

If you would like to stand for election to the board you must apply, via email to elections@cherriestrust.co.uk or in writing to Cherries Trust, Stephen House, 23A Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1QD before Tuesday 28th June 2016.

The election will be overseen by the Electoral Management Group which consists of steering committee volunteers and an impartial chairman who is not a member of the Cherries Trust.

After the AGM the newly formed board will elect a new chairman, vice-chairman, and treasurer at a subsequent Board Meeting. A secretary will also be appointed at that meeting but the secretary is not required to be a board member.

The Trust encourages anyone with an interest in helping to evolve a supporters group to join the Trust and stand for election. We would like as diverse a representation as possible representing the full cross section of fans that support AFC Bournemouth.

If you would like further information about the Trust before committing please email us enquiries@cherriestrust.co.uk

This is your supporters group, please get involved.