Manchester United ask fans what they were wearing in loyalty scheme request

A group of Manchester United supporters have been asked to describe what they were wearing to matches to help retain their season tickets.

It is understood that a number of fans at Old Trafford were unable to scan their electronic season tickets for the club's first three home games of the new season. And in order to prove they were actually in attendance, they must answer a host of questions, including one on their matchday attire.

The Times reports that the check is a result of a scheme drawn up by club bosses, in collaboration with supporter groups, to reduce the number of empty seats and to better police ticket touts. The plans dictate that fans with a season ticket must use their seat for 10 of United's 19 home Premier League matches.

Supporters are given the chance to to pass tickets to friends, family or the club's charity partner - but should they not hit that 10-game requirement they will lose their right to automatically renew next summer.

However, an issue arose in the early weeks of the new campaign after a number of those with season tickets were unable to electronically register their attendance. Therefore, fans have been sent an email from the club's ticket office asking them to prove their attendance through other means.

The list of criteria includes the following request: "Provide a description of what you were wearing to the match and which entrance you used to enter."

United say they will use the information to spot fans on CCTV and need it to help expedite the appeals process. Fans have also been asked to list any problems they have met whilst trying to gain access to Old Trafford, as well as any steward which may have helped them.

Meanwhile, the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) have instructed lawyers to challenge their reduced away allocation for this month's trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The match, initially scheduled for October 23, was moved back a day with the hosts involved in Champions League action.

And with the original fixture picked out for a 5.30pm kick off, that needed t be replicated, forcing the Metropolitan Police to propose a reduction of travelling fans. After lengthy discussions, it was confirmed that United's allocation would be reduced by more than 600, from 2,994 to 2,370.

"For a Supporters Trust to engage lawyers is always a last resort, but enough is enough," MUST said in a statement, accompanying their letter to lawyers.

"United fans, and football supporters in general, have had their fill of being on the receiving end of unfair and irrational decisions by Councils and the Police who seem to consider us to be a public order problem rather than ordinary people freely enjoying a day out.

"Tickets had been sold for this game and fans are being treated like second-class citizens." Last week, a Met Police spokesperson suggested that the reduction was only imposed after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement over a new kick-off time.

"The clubs were unable to agree to an earlier kick off due to concerns about TV commitments, so an alternative solution had to be found," the spokesperson advised. At a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group, a compromise was reached that involved the clubs agreeing to reduce the away ticket allocation to 2,370 which, in turn, changed the risk rating of the fixture from high to medium.

"While we accept that this may disappoint and inconvenience some fans, it was not the only option available to the clubs and was not a decision taken directly by the police."

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