MEMBERS of the local Manchester United Supporters’ Club gathered for their annual general meeting in the Coach Inn last Wednesday. Formed at the onset of the Premier League, the club has provided Omagh-based supporters of Manchester United the ability to attend home games at Old Trafford for 33 years now and counting.
Despite a difficult season on the field, ending in defeat in the Europa League final, the indomitable spirit of the reds remained evident as outgoing chairman, Gary Barbour, opened the meeting. Club secretary, Nigel Shields then gave a rundown of activities over the season, telling of how the club arranged two 50-party coach trips to Old Trafford, along with selling out all season ticket options across a nineteen home game allocation in the league.
The club also organised a ‘match screening’ for the Europa League final, with a bumper crowd turning out as United lost to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao. The game itself was attended by a number of the members, who braved the journey to the Basque country for what ultimately proved a disappointing night. With Paul Wood elected as incoming Events Officer, other events of a similar nature are planned for the season to come.
Treasurer Claire Bresnahan, then detailed the club’s finances, explaining how it operates on a non-profit basis, with pricing for the coach trips and season tickets going only to cover the costs involved, typically involving your coach and ferry to Manchester and back, your two nights bed and breakfast and your match ticket itself. The club is dedicated to providing the fairest price available to its members, in order that Old Trafford continues to be accessible to all local supporters.
Following on, the committee stood down and made way for its incoming replacement, with longstanding clubman, Nigel Monteith, elected to the chair. Nigel Shields was again elected to the post of secretary, with Claire Bresnahan reaffirmed as treasurer. Nyree Burke was elected as travel secretary, with Seán Bresnahan, Thomas Mitchell and Meta Taylor likewise confirmed to the incoming committee, to serve as PRO, social media secretary and assistant treasurer respectively. Gary Barbour, too, will continue on the committee, despite having stepped down from his role as Chair, following a successful three years in the job.
Next up for the club is its annual season ticket meeting, on Monday, June 23 at the Coach Inn. Scheduled for 7.30pm, the club’s quota of season ticket options will be distributed among the membership. Deposits for the first branch trip of the season will also be taken on the night. New members are welcome to attend and can avail of ticket options provided they have sourced a membership to Manchester United via its website, manutd.com. The supporters’ club itself can then affiliate them to the local branch on the evening.
Manchester United Supporters’ Club, Omagh, look forward with confidence to the season ahead. As Rúben Amorim continues to assemble a squad to his liking, there are high hopes that a footballing revolution is finally underway at Old Trafford - one that ultimately delivers the return to past glories that United and its supporters aspire to. MUSC Omagh will be there through it all.