DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION Disabled Supporters Association THE OFFICIAL MUDSA MAGAZINE VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2, SPRING 2017 DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION is on Facebook! Join the group by visiting: facebook.com/groups/rollinreds Meet and chat with other MUDSA members. Share your matchday stories EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW and photos for the magazine and even submit your questions for the player interviews! Sergio Romero PLUS: 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Henrikh Mkhitaryan COMPETITION TIME WIN a pair of Loopwheels 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3 Stoked: Wayne Rooney scores his 250th Manchester United goal from a free kick to earn a 1-1 draw away at Stoke. The landmark breaks Sir Bobby Charlton’s Club record of 249 goals which has stood since 1973. Inside this edition… 4 Secretary Says: with Chas Banks 6 MUDSA News: from The Committee 7 Have Your Say: Your Letters The official MUDSA magazine 8 Photos: MUDSA visit to Aon Training Centre Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring 2017 12 Things You Didn’t Know: Henrikh Mkhitaryan This magazine is issued free of charge to MUDSA 14 What do YOU think: OT accessibility increase members. You can also view Rollin’ Reds and Your MUDSA Committee… 16 Competition: Win a pair of Loopwheels download it in PDF format from our website: CHAS BANKS JAMIE LEEMING www.mudsa.org 17 NEW: Pull-out colouring in section SECRETARY ROLLIN’ REDS EDITOR 22 Exclusive Interview: Sergio Romero T: 07757 092 204 T: 07590 406 669 Photography: John and Matthew Peters 26 John Gets Shirty E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Design/production: leemingdesign.co.uk Feature: Thanks this issue: Richard Trenchard 28 Photos: MUDSA Christmas party ANN-MARIE LEWIS SUE ROCCA 34 Fan Focus MUDSA EVENTS TREASURER John Allen Home and Away: T: 01352 715 794 T: 0161 861 9454 36 Souvenirs: MUDSA Merchandise E: [email protected] E: [email protected] DES TURNER JOHN SIMISTER Rollin’ Reds on Facebook: ROLLIN’ REDS PRODUCTION VI REPRESENTITIVE facebook.com/groups/rollinreds Keep yourself up to date with the T: 01978 810 528 T: 07471 195 930 MUDSA on Facebook: latest news by visiting E: [email protected] E: [email protected] facebook.com/MUDSA.official www.mudsa.org 4 SECRETARY SAYS SECRETARY SAYS 5 United and MUDSA have always been front runners and the planned changes will ensure that continues Somebody a lot wiser than me once said ‘the season, 2017/18, there will be a 75% discount, 50% only thing constant is change’, and how right discount in 2018/19, 25% discount in and 2019/20 they were. I first went to Old Trafford in 1957 and no discount — full price from 2020/21 onwards. — just a year before the Munich disaster which There will be changes to MUDSA as well. You can forced the biggest changes in the Club’s history. read elsewhere in this issue about the five-point plan Since then I’ve seen managers and players come for the future. However the essence of MUDSA will and go before having my own disaster in 1997 which not change. Indeed, with the growing membership meant I’d be going to games in a wheelchair. I was we hope it will become even more important. invited to a game by Sir Alex, and after spending a To me, the thing I love about being part of MUDSA long time in the quiet of a hospital rehab environment is that in the main, people don’t talk about their it was an overwhelming experience, especially as disability. We’re too busy cheering on the players United were playing Wimbledon and we won 1-0. when they do something good or giving them a hard Before that day I didn’t even know where the time when they have an off day or even just shouting wheelchair section was and it was incredibly at the referee. impressive to see for the first time. My own personal It’s not that our disabilities are a taboo subject, it’s journey of change started that evening and has just that we’re usually together to escape from all brought me to where I am today as Secretary of that and watch the game or doing our best to get a MUDSA — the position I’ve held since October. bowling ball to knock the pins over at a social occasion Wonderful like the bowling days that Ann Marie organises. It’s that social dimension that makes the difference for 4 It has always been a great privilege to serve on the many of MUDSA’s members. MUDSA Committee and I’m proud to have had the Community opportunity to make my mark on the organisation over the last 20 years. When almost 100 people turn up for the bowling During that time, I’ve seen the original platform days and 550+ come to the annual dinner, we know extended twice, the facilities at the back of the we’re part of a community which doesn’t even exist quadrants installed, the wonderful Ability Suite built at most clubs. In fact, until recently, clubs like Arsenal, and more recently, the Friends and Family seating as Liverpool and Chelsea didn’t even have DSAs so it well as a Changing Places facility added. makes you realise just how far in front of the other However, I can’t remember a time with as many clubs United and MUDSA are. changes as have recently been announced along with line with the law. The Club have engaged in long MUDSA was able to negotiate a phased withdrawal When I’m sitting in the Ability suite after a game, the further changes that lie ahead of us this summer discussions with the Equality and Human Rights over three years. We understand that there are getting warm again, having a drink and watching the and over the next three years. Commission (EHRC) and other stakeholders and they people who are unhappy about the Rota going but goals on the TVs, I often think about that journey and I think most people will be aware of the reasons for are determined to become compliant with current equally, there are many who are happy to see it go. what a positive effect it has had on my life. this mini revolution but for those who are still unsure, disability legislation. This is why so many changes are Likewise, many people are thrilled that Season All the members of the Committee are determined I will attempt to explain… being made to so many policies, as well as increasing Tickets for disabled fans are being introduced but that in spite of all the changes, MUDSA will continue The expansion of accessible facilities to a level the accessible capacity. some people are against the idea. Many people have to provide that social dimension for its Members that that complies with the Accessible Stadia guide is The consequences of not making these changes already made their applications and because it’s very lots of you value very highly. Not only that, we are an agreement that was made by all Premier League are unthinkable for a club of Manchester United’s likely that there won’t be enough to satisfy demand, always happy to help and we are very approachable, clubs including Manchester United. That part of the standing. If policies were left unchanged, the the Committee have persuaded the Club to apply an so please don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice or planned changes is about numbers and at the end of Commission has statutory powers to investigate and element of loyalty to the parameters, rather than a even just pull us up for a chat about the match. the process, the club will have 277 wheelchair spaces take enforcement action against an organisation to random ballot. I’m proud to have been a part of MUDSA and what plus carer seats and 278 amenity seats which is more ensure compliance with equality legislation. Charging for tickets and car parking are other has been achieved since its formation, as the first than double what is currently available. The Rota system has to go because accessible issues that were not negotiable — they will have to ever DSA all those years ago and I look forward to The changes to the ticketing policies for disabled ticketing has to be brought inline with able-bodied be introduced. However, again we have managed to achieving more in the future. supporters are being made to bring the Club in to ticketing and no able-bodied Rota exists. However, negotiate a phased introduction to this issue so next Chas Banks, MUDSA Secretary. 6 SECRETARY SAYS HAVE YOUR SAY 7 MUDSA: A Vision For The Future To listen to, and look after the interests of disabled Your letters… 1 REPRESENT supporters – providing representation at regular Club meetings such as the Fans’ Forum A sounding board for the Club with respect to been fairly stressful and hence, my opportunities 2 GUIDANCE developments, policies & procedures that may to attend have diminished. However, my daughter & ADVICE Hi Ann-Marie impact disabled supporters A massive thanks for a fantastic afternoon at the changed my One Utd membership to take account MUDSA Christmas Party. What a pleasure to be part of my mobility problems, and the chance to attend MUDSA to be a focal point; creating & maintaining an of such a day and see everyone enjoying themselves. games once again was a dream come true. 3 COMMUNITY & engaging community & social hub helping to enhance Lovely and unexpexted surprise to be part of I was extremely grateful to receive the call to say SOCIAL HUB the overall experience of disabled supporters presenting the MUDSA Player award as well — what that there had been some ticket returns and having Pricing Policy “Level Playing Field’s view is that we want an opportunity! Hope you have a fantastic Christmas unsuccessfully applied for tickets for the derby over and New Year.