Stop Moaning, we could be United fans

Last updated : 03 May 2007 By Paul Farrington

De Zeeuw or Ronaldo?
In the grand scheme of things, last night's defeat for United against AC Milan will fade away, but the fact that the club is a Public Limited Company will be around for much longer. The Glazer owners are nothing compared to football men like our chairman Dave Whelan.

We may never have the galaxy of stars playing for us that Manchester United have, we may never reach the European Cup Final, we may never be at the top of the table consistently, but we will never be fleeced for the profit of shareholders.

Although ticket prices were increased astronomically at Wigan this season, I feel that the chairman wanted to get more bums on seats consistently and thus kept the season ticket prices low. It was hoped that such low season ticket prices would encourage more season ticket holders, when this wasn't the case, the club reacted to get attendances up for the run in.

Over in Manchester, increasing ticket prices are expected and United prices are fast gaining on Chelsea's. The formation of FC United has highlighted the problems at Old Trafford, and the club and its fans are fast becoming a laughing stock amongst supporters of other clubs. Season ticket prices are set to rise again for the United supporters, and they have the added obligation of having to buy all the home cup tickets as well.

On the other hand, the most expensive game at the JJB next season will be £20, with many priced at just £15, and the season ticket prices are set to be the best value in the league. If Wigan Athletic supporters believe they are being hard done by then they can go down the road to any of the other local clubs, for example Preston, and can pay more to watch a lower standard of football.

There is also the point of the players themselves. Although a dying breed, the players of the lower league days, who loved the club, are now fading out. Players such as Jimmy Bullard and Arjan De Zeeuw are hard to come by in the modern day. However there are a number of them in our side at the moment, whilst United can probably list just Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs amongst their ranks.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say, you can give me Wigan Athletic any day over the world giants that are Manchester United. If a simple worry like relegation is the height of our problems then we aren't doing too badly. Besides, we'll beat Middlesbrough on Saturday and survive to live another day in the money pot world of the English Premier League.