THEATER OF DREAMS INTERACTIVE

AGENT is a lad who I have come into contact with while blogging. We have exchanged links and I wanted to get a perspective of a Die Hard Fan in Manchester

VITALSTATISTICS:

Owner of the following sites: http://www.man-utd-news.blogspot.com http://www.fcbloggers.com

Resides in Manchester, England and a Die Hard Man Utd Fan

swoosh: How long have you been a Man Utd Fan?

agent: Since I was four years old. I first really knew about them when I got a premier league sticker book. It was at that moment that I Knew I had to make the decision, either Man Utd or Man City. I can safely say I made the right choice as the 1990’s brought me more joy and success than most fans see in their lifetime!

swoosh: Please Describe the atmosphere at Old Trafford on a matchday and a glorious European Night?

agent: The atmosphere is something that you honestly cannot describe, but I will have a go! It’s like electricity flowing through your body. The stadium is immense and I always a genuine sense of excitement when I walk up the stairs to take my seat. It’s a nervous excitement that is as strong today as it was all those years ago when I went to my first game.

European games are quite special. They play that anthem as you enter the ground and it makes every hair on my body stand on end. The pitch is floodlit and I think it makes for a better atmosphere. The other plus is that there are a lot more local fans at midweek games and less corporate patrons. This makes for a greater atmosphere, especially against rivals such as Celtic!

swoosh: I assume you are a member of the Utd Supporters Club. Tell us more about it. Can someone out here in South Africa become one easily and rescieve fan items, souveniers etc?
agent: There are a number of supporters clubs for United. The official membership is called one-united. It costs £27 if you live in the UK and it allows you to apply for tickets for games before they go on general sale (which is hardly ever). I am a member and I think it is possible for fans worldwide to become members! In terms of souvenirs, anyone can buy a vast range of merchandise from the online shop. There is some good stuff in there at the moment as we are celebrating 50 years of the Busby babes! That’s the reason we have the new kit in case anyone didn’t know!

swoosh: I always wondered how fierce the rivalries are face to face or in opposing stands?
Is it really that fierce. Who are some of the worst supporters you have come across in your time?
agent: A lot of the time the rivalry isn’t that bad.. There is always lots of goading and piss taking but that is normally as far as it goes. Of course if you want to look for trouble then all you need to do is ask a few people and they will steer you in the right direction. There is a fierce rivalry between a few of our opponents, namely Arsenal, Man City and of course Liverpool. There is something that stirs up inside us when we play these teams and a victory is oh so sweat. The latest one that sticks in my mind was Liverpool… How we tore them apart and humiliated their fans that came to see them!

swoosh: Liverpool(Smile). How is the rivalry then?
agent: It’s huge. One of Ferguson’s famous quotes when asked why did he take the job at Man Utd was “to knock Liverpool of the Fucking Perch”. Well he did that and more. In fact he made us the most successful team of the 90’s and he is not stopping there! I have to say the rivalry with Livepool has increased recently. During the 90’s Liverpool were poor, then never looked like winning top honours and we usually brushed them aside. Since they won the champions league and FA cup and actually looked half decent, that pasion to beat them has increased immensely. Before that it was Arsenal.

swoosh: Have you ever been to OT to watch a Liverpool Utd Clash. If yes. Please describe?
agent: I have been to Anfield to watch United play Liverpool and we lost 1-0 in the Fa Cup and Smith broke his leg. It was a great atmosphere with a lot of hardcore fans. It was just a shame after the game there was a lot of trouble from both sides.. It’s not somewhere to take your kids put it that way. I’ve seen United play Liverpool at Old Trafford a few times, everyone is special. The crowd are incredible and the rivalry immense. If it was your first game seeing that, you would be hooked.

swoosh: We often in South Africa just see lip movement from the crowds. Can you tell us some of the abuse that is hurled out to the players that you have experienced?
agent: There’s all sorts, its more of a spur of the moment thing though, like “you fucking prick, stop time wasting.”. or “get up you lazy fucking twat”. Take the free-kick numb nuts”. My favourite is our song for Mr Wenger. When he gets up from the dug out we sing “sit down you paedophile, site down you paedophile” very offensive but amusing non-the-less.

swoosh: I suppose you have dished out some Verbal Fury in your time? Would you like to give us some insight into that.?
agent: A lot of the abuse is in the songs, we have few. “build a bonfire, build a bonfire, put the scousers at the top, put the city in the middle and we’ll burn the fucking lot.”
Or “we all hate leeds scum, we all hate leeds scum, we all hate leeds scum, we all hate leeds scum.” Or “Gary Neville is a red is a red is a red, Gary Neville is a red, we hate scousers”.

swoosh: In Manchester Do you often see the players walking around the Centre?
agent: It’s funny you should ask that question. I used to work in a restaurant that was the local haunt for a lot of Man Utd. Beckham, Yorke, Wes Brown, Ronny Jonssenn were all frequent visitors. Most of them were really nice guys, Beckham especially. He was always up for a chat.!

swoosh: Have you met any of them personally. If you have tell us more about the guys.?Wed like to have a behind the scenes approach as to what goes on there after matchdays.
agent: I’m not sure about behind the scenes, but I do know it is an incredibly focussed club, the only thing that matters is winning. Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes Sons used to go to my school so met them quite a few times. You are actually quite shocked out how normal they all are. As I said Becks is a really cool bloke, ?I’d love to see him back in Manchester.

swoosh: Out here we often debate on Sir Alex Ferguson. Do you think he is still fit to be at the helm. What do you think of the signings he has made in the past. There were a few disasters, Kleberson, Djemba, Veron. Don’t you think you lads got have got much more value for 18 million quid instead of Carrick?
agent: Top of the premiership, three points clear and he only bought Carrick. I say let the results do the talking! Carrick was a great buy and with regards to failures, every team has them, it wouldn’t be as exciting if every player you bought was amazing.

swoosh: Out there what was the speculation on Beckham and Keanos Departure. The flying boot incident? What was the real deal?
agent: For sure it was real. The thing that has made Ferguson so successful is the fact that no-one is bigger than the team., He is not scared to make the big decisions. Many said that selling Ruud was a huge mistake, where would the goals come from. Look at us now, we score far more now than we did last year with Ruud.

swoosh: How was Beckham and Keanes influence on Manchester. I mean the vibe, the streets. Were they icons that would be mobbed at every instant.Did you see Posh.?
agent: I’ve served posh at the restaurant I worked in. No comment! Keane was a huge influence, he was an icon. I think he represented Manchester “hard as fucking nails”. I hope he takes over from Fergie!

Forget that, I mean Utd had legends. Shmeichel, Giggsy, Becks, Keane, Bruce, Cantona. How was that era?
agent: Amazing. Cantona is my favourite player of all time. He has a mean kung foo kick as well! I think there are so many legends at United that you can’t really single one out as being a cut above the rest. I’d also like to give a shout out to George Best. He is watching over us no doubt, you really were a true United hero!

swoosh: Eric was a great. Watched some videos on him. Your thoughts?
agent: Genius. A privilege to have him at our club. Fergie bought him, I’m sure you’d say it was a shrewd move at £1.5 million.

swoosh: As a Utd Fan What was your most memorable moment?
agent: Winning the treble! What a year that was!

swoosh:And Your Worst?
agent: There have been a couple, crashing out of the champions league last season and losing to Arsenal in the FA cup final 2 seasons ago after we battered them!

swoosh: Were you in Barcelona for the European Victory. Was there partying in Manchester. How was the atmosphere and feeling to snatch it at the death like that.
agent: I couldn’t get over to Barcelona unfortunately, but that night was really special. To win it like we did was incredible and summed up the ethics of that generation. They simply refused to give up and always believed. There is a video on my blog of us winning it. It brings a tear to my eye just watching it!

swoosh: Have you been to any away matches. Whats it like from a Utd Fans point of View. Is it Safe to end up near the opposition. ?
agent: It’s usually safe, apart from the big rivalry games. Away games are great coz it’s all the hardcore fans singing away!

swoosh: I envy you. To see the greatest players playing in your back yard on European and Inernational Nights. Which of the greats have you seen live and whats it like.Have you had the priviledge of seeing Zidane
agent: I was at the Real Madrid game when we got knocked out by them. Ronaldo got a hat-trick and a standing ovation from the United fans. Beckham came on as a sub, at a time when he was in the process of being sold and socred 2. The final score ended up being 4-3 to us but we still went out. But what a game to be at. Zidane played that night, he is incredible!

swoosh: Are the English Extremely passionate about their Football than any other nation you think?
agent: I think they are very passionate no doubt, but so are lots of other nations, look at Brazil and Argentina, they love it. I think it’s just a great game and winning is just so exciting. Football brings people together!

I have to ask you this. The English have been portrayed in the past as a violent bunch of supporters. Has all this changed.
agent: Yes and no. England fans still get too drunk and brawl (mainly with each other) but as for out and out violence think it has calmed down a lot over the past decade!

swoosh: Wayne Rooney has come in for a lot of backlash on this blog. Is the Lad an icon in Manchester. How do the Fans embrace the players there. Do the players get a lot of stick from their own Fans when they are down?
agent: People who don’t know the player will always knock them. Rooney is a great talent and anyone who truly knows about football will tell you that. His response to a goal drought? Scores a hat-trick. Anyone who criticises him, let me ask you this, would you have him in your team? If you answer no, then I think you are deluded.

The fans need to be won round. Fletcher and Richardson came in for a lot of stick with United fans, simply because their performances on the field were not up to scratch. The fans are also very forgiving as well. Fletcher is winning the fans over with some fantastic performances this season

swoosh: Did the English blame him or his temper for Englands Exit as they did Becks in 1998. How was it for Becks?
agent: It was hard for him, but he worked hard on his game and won the fans hearts. His goal against Greece to qualify summed it up! United fans always stuck by him, as we have with Ronaldo!

swoosh: I love the chorous in the Crowds during the English Game.What is the most popular Manchester Utd War Chant at the moment.
agent: I think the “build a bonfire” chant is working well at the moment

swoosh: Your views on Utd’s chances this year foreign and domestic. ?
agent: Great chance in both. I think we are going to be there or thereabouts in all competitions unlike Liverpool (sorry couldn’t resist)

swoosh: Chelsea or Chelski are an obvious threat. What are your views on them and their millions?And the other contenders, Liverpool and Arsenal?
agent: Chelsea are still a small team. Yes they’ve got money, but they have no history. I think that’s why they are not a bitter rival, because they are viewed by most as a Russian Billionaires plaything! Arsenal will probably do ok in Europe , but Something needs fixing at Liverpool.

I see you mentioned to me about Serie B and Juve. The two clubs have had a decent rivalry. Have you seen any games. If I had to tell you that Del Piero is coming to Anfield What would be your thoughts. Although Nedved and Cannavaro were rumoured to be on their way.
They can go, it wont help them much! United and Chelsea are just too strong for most. I think Nedved is over rated.

swoosh: SA2010. Do you see yourself on the plane with the English Fans jetsetting to South Africa?
agent: Quite possibly. I’ve never been to South Africa, perhaps that’s when I should go!

swoosh: Do you know much about the SA National team. What are their chances. Don’t know if you recall Linda Mercedz Benz Buthelezi and Thabang Molefe adding injury woes to Gazza and Becks respectively.
agent: I went to see England play South Africa at old Trafford in a friendly once. I think we won 1-0. I thought you guys were more Rugby fans than football?

swoosh: Thanks Agent for allowing us this on line interview. Keep in touch and yeah Good Luck for the rest of the season

agent: Thanks, hope you enjoyed reading!