Manchester United, global capitalism and local resistance

Abstract

The 2005 acquisition of Manchester United by American businessman Malcolm Glazer – along with subsequent takeovers of other English football clubs – has raised many concerns amongst supporters, with questions increasingly being asked of the roles football clubs play within their “communities”.Contested notions of ownership and responsibility around such local “assets” are therefore under increased scrutiny, not just from those charged with regulating and governing the football industry, but from local and national government, the media and those who perhaps claim the biggest, and certainly the most emotional stakeholding of all – the supporters.This paper outlines some of the most pressing cultural implications this issue has raised for Manchester United fans. Accordingly, the mobilisation of supporters opposed to the Glazer takeover is documented, along with the resulting cultural “fall out” for fans. Going beyond simplistic notions of a clash merely between “the local’ and “the global”, this case highlights some of the cultural and political implications that global capitalism’s continuing encroachment into people’s everyday lives can have.

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