• Premier League

Red Knights mastermind banned from United seat

Harry Harris
March 14, 2010
Red Knights want to oust the Glazers as Manchester United owners © Getty Images
Enlarge

Keith Harris, the mastermind behind the Red Knights, has been banned from executive seats at Old Trafford.

Harris and Manchester United chief executive David Gill have daggers drawn over the tactics being deployed by the Red Knights, a consurtium of wealthy United fans, to try to oust the Glazers from power at Old Trafford.

The Red Knights' spokesman and leader has called for 10,000 supporters to refuse their season ticket renewal forms, and he has now promised to give back their seats if he completes the takeover.

Equally, the Red Knights value United at £800 million but the Glazers have already turned down a £1 billion bid and City experts now believe that it would take a minimum of £1.2 billion to get the Glazers even interested, and more like £1.5 billion to actually sell.

Harris argues that the way to force the Glazers hand is to hit them in the pocket, but that strategy could backfire with the club in greater financial peril if it actually succeeded.

But Harris believes that the fans can play a major role in dictating the outcome when he said: "We need a collective, unified voice to make this happen.

"[Ferguson] doesn't need to speak out and I don't even think it's desirable actually because he should be absolutely secure in the knowledge that if there was a deal put together he would automatically be prepared to be expected and invited to be a part of it.

"He doesn't need to go and muddy the waters. People should understand that the purpose of any takeover is to give loyal supporters part ownership of the club and give them a voice. If there were people who were considering giving up their season tickets on account of what they've heard about the Glazers' plans from the bond issue prospectus, then in the event that our takeover was successful we're sure it could be worked out so that they regained their places.

"We'd implement a block holding of 25.1% to permanently prevent another future takeover by the likes of Glazer. Season ticket holders would get their seats back at a lower price and become shareholders in the club. I've been reading about the possibility that people with corporate boxes and season tickets may actually take a stand.

"It's not about turning up late at matches - the club's already had their money. It's if those people say they're not going to renew."

Gill referred to Harris as a "self-publicist" and someone with "an average track record".

"I'll stack my record against other people who've been in this business," added Harris, speaking in the latest edition of Red Issue. "I'd sooner be there and try and do a good job than not be there. I'm not saying people should put trust in me.

"What I'm saying is you asked me if I was confident the money could be raised and if that were raised it would be a better future for Man United than it looks at the minute as if it will be and the answer to that is yes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices