Fan award introduced in memory of Ian Stirling
Manchester United have honoured the memory and contribution of long-time supporter Ian Stirling with an annual award in his name – the ‘Ian Stirling Fan Award’.
At the end-of-season awards evening at Old Trafford, Manchester United Chief Executive Officer Richard Arnold, introduced the new honour in recognition of a United supporter who has gone above and beyond for the club, their community, and the fan base at large.
The inaugural winner of the award is Ian Stirling, and his wife Lynn and daughter Lucy attended the event and accepted the award on his behalf.
Ian sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 57 but the club wanted to recognise his tireless and selfless work on behalf of the millions of United fans. Ian played a pivotal role on the Fans’ Forum and Fans’ Advisory Board alongside his work as ISLO for MUST.
The inaugural winner of the award is Ian Stirling, and his wife Lynn and daughter Lucy attended the event and accepted the award on his behalf.
Ian sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 57 but the club wanted to recognise his tireless and selfless work on behalf of the millions of United fans. Ian played a pivotal role on the Fans’ Forum and Fans’ Advisory Board alongside his work as ISLO for MUST.
Video
Richard Arnold praised Ian’s contribution when he launched the new award and said: “Ian was so integral to the development of the fan engagement structures and processes that we have in place at Manchester United today.
“Together with Duncan Drasdo, who joins us tonight, he helped rebuild the relationship between MUST and the club which had previously broken down. And this has led to significant improvements in fan/club relations.
“The biggest tribute we can pay Ian is to ensure that the work he put in to improve fan engagement is a launch pad for even more progress as we and that we continue to listen to our fans and act in their best interests.”
“Together with Duncan Drasdo, who joins us tonight, he helped rebuild the relationship between MUST and the club which had previously broken down. And this has led to significant improvements in fan/club relations.
“The biggest tribute we can pay Ian is to ensure that the work he put in to improve fan engagement is a launch pad for even more progress as we and that we continue to listen to our fans and act in their best interests.”
Speaking at the event, Lynn Stirling said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed that the club has honoured Ian's memory by naming this new Fans Award after him as a lasting legacy to the work Ian undertook in his role as the ISLO for MUST and on the clubs Fans’ Forum and Fans’ Advisory Board.
“As we have come to realise over the past few weeks, the true extent of Ian's reach across so many areas of the game including campaigning for the introduction of safe standing and fairer ticketing prices, and also the lasting impact he has had on so many people far and wide, we are immensely proud of everything that Ian has achieved through his dedication and determination to make a positive difference whenever possible.”
The award will now be a permanent feature of the end of season celebrations and presented alongside the players' awards.
“As we have come to realise over the past few weeks, the true extent of Ian's reach across so many areas of the game including campaigning for the introduction of safe standing and fairer ticketing prices, and also the lasting impact he has had on so many people far and wide, we are immensely proud of everything that Ian has achieved through his dedication and determination to make a positive difference whenever possible.”
The award will now be a permanent feature of the end of season celebrations and presented alongside the players' awards.
Back to Top