Welcome back to Old Trafford

Wednesday 03 August 2022 15:30

Manchester United's chief operating officer, Collette Roche, has written an open letter to the club's supporters as we look forward to the start of the new season with great anticipation and excitement.

After the successful staging of our pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano, staff are now working hard on the final preparations for the next big game at Old Trafford - the opening Premier League fixture of 2022/23, this Sunday, 7 August.

For many people in attendance, it will be the first time they have been at the Theatre of Dreams since the concluding home fixture of last term, three months ago, and Collette begins her message below by welcoming the supporters back to the stadium.

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON

"We are hugely excited to welcome back our fans for the return of Premier League football at Old Trafford on Sunday when we take on Brighton & Hove Albion at 2pm.

"Following the completion of our pre-season tour, where we engaged with millions of United supporters through our visits to Bangkok, Australia and Oslo, our sights are firmly set on the new season, and we look ahead with great optimism under our new manager Erik ten Hag.
Collette Roche, chief operating officer, Manchester United.
"This campaign will mark the 11th consecutive season of frozen season ticket prices at the Theatre of Dreams and the first year of our new season ticket policies that give our faithful and passionate fans more choice, affordability and flexibility than ever before.

"These changes and improvements to the way we operate are a result of continued positive consultation with our supporters via the Fans’ Forum and the Fans’ Advisory Board. The club are looking forward to further strengthening our fan relations and engagement this season with several positive initiatives in the pipeline for our joint consideration.

"Ahead of the new season, we have also carried out our usual summer enhancements programme to improve the fan and player experience at Old Trafford while work continues at pace on the master planning of the stadium. I want to thank the tens of thousands of fans who gave their time and recently participated in our first round of consultation regarding the future of our stadium - it is so important that your views are at the heart of the decision making on this matter.

"We are also committed to ensuring our fans have an enjoyable and safe experience at Old Trafford. The club welcomed the recent announcement from the Premier League and Football Association regarding tougher measures to tackle those individuals who compromise the enjoyment and safety of our players and law-abiding fans.

"The new measures include strict sanctions for fans who undertake activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs, pyrotechnics and throwing objects. These acts are dangerous as well as illegal and have no place in football.

"In an expansion of our current policies – and in support of the new measures imposed by the Premier League and Football Association - the club are taking a zero-tolerance approach and will now enforce a three-year ban on fans who bring smoke bombs and pyrotechnics on the footprint of Old Trafford or inside the stadium bowl.

"Through our ‘All Red All Equal’ campaign we will continue to lead the way and work with the wider footballing family to stamp out discriminatory behaviour at our stadiums and online.

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"Finally, I am sure you will all join me in congratulating not only United’s players but also the whole England women’s team on their Euro 2022 success which captured the imagination of the country and will inspire a generation of girls and women, which we are dedicated to promoting at the club.

"Thank you for your support, we look forward to welcoming you back on Sunday and we anticipate some exciting moments ahead in a new season which is full of promise – on and off the pitch."

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