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A prominent Manchester United supporters' group, The 1958, has announced plans for a sit-in protest at Old Trafford following next Sunday’s highly anticipated derby clash with Manchester City. The protest is part of an ongoing campaign against the club’s ownership by the Glazer family.
The announcement was made at Broadhurst Park, home to FC United of Manchester, a club formed in 2005 by United fans disillusioned with the Glazers’ takeover. The two groups have now formally collaborated, marking the first organized link-up between FC United and a Manchester United supporter group in nearly two decades.
The last major sit-in at Old Trafford occurred in August 2023, when thousands of fans remained in their seats after a victory over Nottingham Forest. Chris Haymes, a representative of The 1958, emphasized the importance of the upcoming protest, saying, “We want supporters to remain in their seats after the match as a show of defiance. Many long-time fans, particularly seniors, are being priced out of their season tickets. This is our way of taking a stand.”
Earlier this month, The 1958 led a large-scale demonstration, with thousands of fans marching nearly a mile to Old Trafford before the club’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. However, spokesperson Steve Crompton acknowledged the challenges of mass protests, noting that international supporters who travel great distances for matches are less likely to participate in boycotts.
“There are far more tourist fans attending games now than legacy supporters,” Crompton stated. “For many of them, missing a match isn’t an option. We saw in April 2023 that a walkout of 3,000 fans against Aston Villa had little visible impact. That’s why we’re focusing on the sit-in approach.”
The new partnership with FC United is expected to foster the exchange of ideas and experiences between the two groups. While tensions have existed in the past—some FC United supporters viewed their breakaway as a principled stance, whereas others saw it as an act of disloyalty—both sides now recognize a shared battle for the soul of the club.
During a Q&A session at Broadhurst Park, FC United chairman Nick Boom expressed his support for The 1958’s efforts, stating, “Football fans often feel powerless, but unity is strength. These guys are standing up and fighting a worthy battle, and it’s about more than just Manchester United—it’s about the future of football itself.”
The upcoming derby protest is expected to draw significant attention, especially in light of recent ticket price increases. With millions watching, The 1958 hopes their sit-in will send a clear message to the Glazer family and the club’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, about fans’ ongoing frustrations and demands for change.
Featured Image Credit: X / @The__1958, Unsplash / Alessio Festa
