Independent Manchester United Supporters Association
About IMUSA
A brief historyThe Independent Manchester united Supporters' Association was launched in April 1995 at an impromptu meeting in the Gorse Hill Hotel. The meeting was held in direct response to a tannoy announcement during the home game against Arsenal, informing fans in K-Stand that they must remain seated throughout the match or face ejection. This was the straw that broke the camel's back! Despite success on the field many devoted Reds had become increasingly disillusioned with the Board of Directors attitude towards match-going fans, sensing they were remote to the ideas and feelings of United's genuine supporters. After the Arsenal game the fanzine editors were confronted with people demanding to know what was to be done. Thousands more talked about it amongst themselves. Within a week a dozen Reds met up to discuss a plan of action. This group, later referred to as the 'dirty dozen', was made up of editors of the two main fanzines and other well known United 'faces', including would be impresario and pop star Pete Boyle, fans author Richard Kurt and Manchester FSA chair Johnny Flacks, along with their assorted acquaintances. There had been growing discontent among United's following for a number of years and pressure groups had been formed on various issues, but now the very essence of being a supporter was under threat and a permanent organisation was needed to represent the views of the traditional United fan. A public meeting was held at Manchester's Free Trade Hall on 22nd April and, despite the miserable Manchester weather, several hundred regular fans turned up to vent their frustrations. At this meeting an initial campaigning agenda was established and a further meeting was agreed where a committee would be elected. Thousands of leaflets were distributed at the last two home games of the season advertising IMUSA's existence and the next meeting, at Lancashire Cricket Club on 11th May, took place in the week before the final game of the season at West Ham. The meeting was packed out with hundreds of Reds who listened to Kevin Miles from the Independent Newcastle United Supporters Association describe how they had set up their organisation and the experiences they had had in dealings with NUFC. A committee was elected and the initial agenda from the first meeting was endorsed. Additionally the meeting unanimously called upon the Club to appeal to the FA over Eric Cantona's ban. Over the summer there was a great deal of behind the scenes activity. Reports about IMUSA appeared in the press around the world and IMUSA's claims that ordinary fans were being priced out prompted the now infamous response from board member Robin Launders. On BBC Newsnight he informed fans "..if you can't afford the first team, come to youth and reserve games". During the summer IMUSA's initial agenda was honed into a document called "Red print for change" which addressed the issues of:
Redprint first appeared in the fanzines in October 1995 and, in subsequent newsletter format, continues to provide the framework, and keep its members abreast of, IMUSA's campaigning efforts. IMUSA Objectives
IMUSA does not comment as an organisation on team selection or matters to do with the playing side of the club. However, we will always make comment on Club policy as it effects us as supporters. As such IMUSA campaigns that:
The AssociationThe Independent Manchester United Supporters Association are an open democratic body pledged to giving the ordinary United supporter a voice because we believe match-going fans are the lifeblood of any football club. We have the full backing of all the Old Trafford fanzines, indeed editors of Red Issue and United We Stand were on the initial committee set up to oversee the formation of the association. IMUSA operates with a committee of approximately 25, elected each year at an AGM, usually held in May. All committee members are actively involved in IMUSA's work, strictly no hangers on here. Committee meetings, open to all members, are held monthly during the football season at O'Briens in Stretford. In addition there are regular open meetings (members only) which have seen past guests include the manager, players (past and present), comedians, sports writers and commentators as well as quizzes and social events. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, entitled Redprint, which keeps those who cannot attend the meetings informed about what's going on. The IMUSA Officers (2004-05) Chairman: Jules Spencer The Committee (May 2004-05)IMUSA is further served by a 25-person committee. Details to follow. Some of our successesOver the years, IMUSA have had some notable successes:
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