Manchester United publishes Fan Engagement Plan

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Manchester United Fan Engagement Plan
Image credit: Stacey MacNaught via Wikimedia

Manchester United has published its Fan Engagement Plan for the 2023/24 season.

The document’s publication is a requirement for all teams as part of a league-wide initiative to foster meaningful, long-term interaction with supporters.

United released its strategy ahead of the end-of-month deadline for teams to do so, demonstrating the club’s commitment to fan interaction ahead of the start of the Premier League season.

The club’s engagement with its two fan representation groups – the Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB) and Fans’ Forum – is at the core of the strategy, ensuring that supporters’ ideas assist drive decision-making on matters affecting fans

United manager Erik ten Hag spoke on the fan engagement plan.

“Ever since I came to Manchester United, I have been impressed by the support of our loyal fans. We see and hear them at every game, home and away, wherever in the world we play,” he stated via press release.

“The strong bond we have established between the team and the fans is an advantage to us on the pitch, and something we want to continue to strengthen. Working together with our fans and listening to them is part of that process, so I am pleased the club will continue to make fan relations a priority.

Fan groups of United include, Manchester United Supporters Trust, Manchester United Supporters’ clubs, Rainbow Devils, Manchester United Women Supporters Club, Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association, The red army and Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation. Catering for all different types of fans involved in the club, ensuring all keep engaged.

Richard Arnold, chief executive officer of Manchester United also offered his thought on the strategy.

“Our strategy is a simple one, to put football and fans first,” he said via press release.

“Everything we do, and every decision we take, is viewed through that lens and should contribute to improving our on-field performance and the experience for our fans. I hope this plan has provided you with assurance about the huge amount of work already underway and our plans for the future.

We are working hard to strengthen the role of fans at the heart of the club, and I can promise you that we will continue to invest time and resources in to strengthening our engagement with fans and ensuring you can have your say and be listened to. I am proud of the great progress we have made in the last twelve months but can assure you we have big plans and an unwavering determination to get even better.”

Manchester United’s goals before the end of the season include:

  • Reviewing the first year of operation of its FAB and make any relevant updates to its terms of reference.
  • Publish their first Annual Report and an updated Engagement Plan to cover the 2023-24 season.
  • Consider the contents of the government’s recent White Paper on Reforming Club Football Governance and consequent developments, where they impact directly or indirectly on fan engagement.
  • Undertake a review of the clubs Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) commitments and delivery to ensure fan engagement processes are fully representative.
  • Launch a twice-year communication to fans from the clubs CEO.

These goals are set in place to maximise and improve the level of fan engagement and give back to the community in a matter of different ways.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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