- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival has prompted a number of cost-cutting measuers
- MUDSA was one of the first official disabled supporters’ clubs in the country
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Manchester United are considering cutting the budget they hand to their disabled supporters’ association in half.
Mail Sport understands that, as part of a wide range of cost-saving measures, the £40,000-a-year given to MUDSA has been targeted.
While no final decision is thought to have been made, United are reluctantly considering what may prove to be a highly controversial move.
Following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS in January, officials set about identifying areas of the business where savings could be made.
Their aim was to free up cash to spend on the first team squad and ensure the club was in a healthy financial position when it comes to compliance with Premier League spending rules. As this newspaper revealed, around 250 redundancies were made as part of that process.
It would now appear that MUDSA, which was one of the first official disabled supporters’ clubs in the country, is not immune from the cuts.
Manchester United are considering halving the amount of money they give to their disabled supports association
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s (pictured) arrival has seen officials set about identifying areas where savings could be made
Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association (MUDSA) was one of the first official disabled supporters’ clubs in the country
Should officials decide to go ahead with the reduction, it may well be met with a hostile response from supporters after the Premier League giants’ announced record revenues of £661.755m in June.
One insider, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘This is nothing short of a disgrace. The figures they are talking about are a drop in the ocean and the optics would be horrific. It feels like the club has lost touch with its soul. The disabled supporters’ club has always been a big part of Manchester United and when you see how much money is being wasted on paying off managers and bringing in players who aren’t good enough, something like this will be very difficult to justify.’
Funds donated from the club to MUDSA go towards a variety of areas. Some are spent on subsidising tickets to annual events, which include a Christmas Party which is hugely popular with members. Traditionally, the club’s first team squad attend, pose for pictures and give autographs.
The party has been an institution at the club since 1989 and has been held every year since bar during the Covid pandemic, although it was moved in 2022 thanks to the World Cup being shifted to the winter. It has been hugely popular with players, who see it as an opportunity to give something back.
As of yet, there has been no confirmation whether there will be such a party this year, although talks are thought to be taking place in the near future.
Other events include a bowling day where trophies and medals are provided to children who take part while MUDSA also hosts a popular annual dinner at Old Trafford. Denis Irwin was the guest speaker at this year’s event, which was held earlier this month. Tickets for the dinner cost £35 per person including carers.
MUDSA also works with the Manchester United Foundation, the club’s charity arm, to deliver community sporting events for people with mixed abilities.
Late last month its hugely popular secretary, Chas Banks MBE, passed away following a short illness at the age of 74.