I'd like to take a moment of your time, not to talk about the Cup final (watch Arsenal capitulate now) or Rooney's non-sending off, or a possible slip in 'King' Kenny's crown, but something that happened over the weekend that has completely restored my faith in my team, Manchester United, and football clubs in general.
Just before Christmas, my best friend's father died very unexpectedly, which naturally left my friend and his family devastated. After the funeral and cremation in early January, the family sat down to discuss where they would scatter the ashes. My friend's father being a die-in-the-wool United fan, the Old Trafford pitch was deemed the most appropriate and fitting place. Unsure of whether the club do this sort of thing, my friend contacted them, to find out that indeed they do offer such a service. After some contemplating, it was agreed that's what he'd have wanted, and that they would go ahead with the service at Old Trafford, to be held in late February.
On the morning of the service, my friend's mother woke up to find a letter in the post addressed to her from the club. Referencing family members by name, it expressed sympathy on behalf of the club to herself and all her family. It was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson. The service went ahead, and the ashes were scattered on the pitch, directly in front of my friend's father's seat in the North Stand. The whole service was impeccable, the family treated with care and respect, and even offered refreshments after the service. The club had gone well above and beyond its call of duty; and the fee they charged? Nothing. It was all absolutely free, though they politely suggested a non-obligatory donation to the Manchester United Foundation.
In these modern times, amidst all the negativity about football, its increased commercialisation, losing touch with the fans and ownership issues (with United at the forefront of much of this ire), I was incredibly proud that my club still has enough class and respect for its fans to do something like this. They have really restored some of my lost faith, and I am immensely proud to call myself a United fan today.
Lewis, Busby Way
..."Wewe ni mtu mdogo sana....na mwenye amekuandika pia ni mtu mdogo sana!".