Read up on the third Title winning tour to Old Trafford. The Supporters' Club of 2009 got even more memorable this year, and I am sure everyone involved had a great time on the tour as Ethel recalls for all us un-lucky buggers to read all about it here! - Photos coming soon

When the fixture list was published last June, I was very excited to see that the last home game of the season was against Arsenal. Traditionally that’s the game we go to on the branch tour, and while I couldn’t care less about the opposition, I knew the chance to see United v Arsenal would be a huge selling point.

Unfortunately, BECAUSE it was Arsenal, the Membership office refused my formal application for 30 tickets. “It’s a high profile match and will be heavily subscribed” was the excuse.  Their offer of Boro, Wigan or Portsmouth in December was totally unacceptable, so, after several angry e-mails back and forth, we agreed on Tottenham Hotspurs in late April.

I’m fed up explaining to them that I don’t care about the opposition, but I do care about booking 30+ airline seats and having the match postponed. The last home match of the season is about the only ‘safe’ fixture. Looking at the fixture list, Spurs seemed the safest alternative option.

And so the round of booking flights, hotels, coaches, etcetera began. Once settled on a package price  notices were sent out to members and Niko posted the information on the website.  Fortunately, in recent years we’ve been able to keep the package price fairly steady.  Long may it continue!!

Departure date arrived at last and, unlike last year, we didn’t have to worry about United getting a result while we were airborne. Fortunately for us, the Portsmouth fixture – originally offered to us in December! – had been rearranged to coincide with our arrival in Manchester. Immediately the fixture was announced I contacted the Membership office to request tickets for the group and arranged the extra coach transport. Everyone was very happy to pay the extra cost as soon as I received confirmation of the tickets.

The coach trip to Manchester was uneventful, if long, but it does give everyone chance to chat and get to know each other.  For the first time in a long while, most of the tour party were first-timers. Of the group, only 4 had been on previous branch trips, or even on private visits to Old Trafford. It’s always exciting for me to have someone on the tour who’s going to OT for the first time.  Usually they don’t get to see Old Trafford until we go on the stadium tour, but we got just a few hours at the Monton House before the coach was there again to collect us for the match v Portsmouth.

ethelred

Spurred to the Title: 2009 Tour Report Aug 05 2009 12:45:37 I should have mentioned, before sending this to Niko, that sadly one of the tour members passed away just recently. Bala Naidoo was able to fulfil his lifelong dream of visiting Old Trafford shortly before his death, and condolences go to his grieving family.

#39394

Bad Language

Re:Spurred to the Title: 2009 Tour Report Aug 05 2009 14:12:54 Thanks for the feed back. im sure the whole experiance must have been amazing and I know that there are lots of us that wish we could have also been on the tour. I have never been to Old Trafford befor but I know that some time soon I will be in the stands screaming for the boys in Red.

#39408

joburger

Spurred to the Title: 2009 Tour Report Aug 10 2009 19:16:54 Nice write up Ethel. Sounds like a fantastic trip. Wish I had been able to go. Maybe next year...

#39704