Mooley
TK Veteran
Manchester United officials were left furious on Wednesday night after a group of anti-Glazer protesters posted on the internet a private list of the club's corporate customers.
'United Supporters for Change', a group who say they are prepared to 'push the boundaries of the law' in their efforts to force the Glazer family to sell the club, hope making the list public will shame those companies on it in to boycotting the club.
Many of the 400 or so companies who pay for hospitality at Old Trafford on a regular basis have been named, from major international brands like Vodafone and Hewlett Packard to much smaller Manchester-based businesses.
Last night United declined to comment publicly on the leak but are understood to be concerned about the disclosure of sensitive and private information from within Old Trafford.
Certainly, the issue will become greatly more serious if any of the named companies find themselves under physical attack for their ongoing financial commitment to United.
United Supporters for Change insist they are a 'non-violent action group' but other anti-Glazer factions are known to have a more sinister edge and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they may endeavour to exert some direct pressure on individual companies.
A statement from the USC group said: 'We are making this list public in order to encourage these organisations to recognise their unique position and responsibilities at this crucial point in MUFC's history.
'Executive and hospitality income represents around half of matchday revenue at MUFC. This gives the companies on this list huge potential influence over the current owners.'
The USC group have no connection to the Red Knights consortium currently preparing a takeover bid for United.
However, the Red Knights have said previously that the Glazers will be forced to consider a sale if matchday revenue falls dramatically.
Yesterday United - more than £700m in debt under the Glazers - were named at the top of the Forbes List of most valuable football clubs. According to the list, United is valued at £1.19bn - a per cent drop in value from last year - while Real Madrid and Arsenal are in the second and third place respectively.
However, the Barclays Premier League is the most indebted in Europe, carrying 56% of all the debt of the region's top leagues combined, according to statisticians at UEFA.
'United Supporters for Change', a group who say they are prepared to 'push the boundaries of the law' in their efforts to force the Glazer family to sell the club, hope making the list public will shame those companies on it in to boycotting the club.
Many of the 400 or so companies who pay for hospitality at Old Trafford on a regular basis have been named, from major international brands like Vodafone and Hewlett Packard to much smaller Manchester-based businesses.
Last night United declined to comment publicly on the leak but are understood to be concerned about the disclosure of sensitive and private information from within Old Trafford.
Certainly, the issue will become greatly more serious if any of the named companies find themselves under physical attack for their ongoing financial commitment to United.
United Supporters for Change insist they are a 'non-violent action group' but other anti-Glazer factions are known to have a more sinister edge and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they may endeavour to exert some direct pressure on individual companies.
A statement from the USC group said: 'We are making this list public in order to encourage these organisations to recognise their unique position and responsibilities at this crucial point in MUFC's history.
'Executive and hospitality income represents around half of matchday revenue at MUFC. This gives the companies on this list huge potential influence over the current owners.'
The USC group have no connection to the Red Knights consortium currently preparing a takeover bid for United.
However, the Red Knights have said previously that the Glazers will be forced to consider a sale if matchday revenue falls dramatically.
Yesterday United - more than £700m in debt under the Glazers - were named at the top of the Forbes List of most valuable football clubs. According to the list, United is valued at £1.19bn - a per cent drop in value from last year - while Real Madrid and Arsenal are in the second and third place respectively.
However, the Barclays Premier League is the most indebted in Europe, carrying 56% of all the debt of the region's top leagues combined, according to statisticians at UEFA.