‘Enough is enough': Man United legend Norman Whiteside gives up season ticket at Old Trafford
He made the announcement on social media a day after the club lost their Europe League Final to Tottenham as they capped off a dismal season with another shocking performance.
It will be the first time in 28 years Whiteside — who scored 67 goals in 274 appearances for the Old Trafford Club and famously scored the winner as 10-man United beat Everton 1-0 in the 1985 FA Cup Final — has not taken up his seat at the famous old stadium.
Whiteside cited 'a series of issues' for his decision, with his wife Dee taking to social media to declare 'enough is enough'.
Among the issues, he said the relocation of his seat last year to make way for executive seating was among the reasons for his decision.
In a post on X, Dee Whiteside expressed her disappointment: 'So, I've waited for a while to write this. It is with unbelievable sadness, that after more than 28 years of having season tickets at Old Trafford, @Norman Whiteside and I are not renewing next year.
'Having been forcibly relocated last season, 'red carded' for not attending enough games, unable to give my 'paid for' seat to my children... enough is enough.
'And to cap it all, we've seen it all, we've won the lot, we're Man United and we're never gonna stop... except for so many seasons now, my match-going loyalty to my club has ended so sadly.
'I'll still be at games, I'm MUFC until I die, and I've seen worse times than now, but I'm not sure I've seen players less interested in pulling on our shirt for very many years. Times must change.'
Whiteside and his wife are platinum season ticket holders at Old Trafford, by virtue of having the seats for more than 25 years, but will now walk away. United's decision to move season ticket holders from block S122 at Old Trafford meant the Whitesides were among those affected.
A spokesperson for Manchester United said: 'We have the greatest respect for Norman as a legend of the club, and understand the disappointment caused to him and other season ticket-holders by seat relocations.
'There are various reasons why this happens, including, next season, the moving of matchday hospitality seats into consolidated blocks to address fan concerns about them being dispersed around the stadium.
'Other changes next season include the removal of hospitality seating from the Stretford End and installation of further rail seating in the North-West Quadrant, bringing benefits to many fans but also causing some disruption.
'No additional hospitality seats are being created at the expense of season ticket-holders — in fact, hospitality seating will reduce by more than 500 next season. We are committed to working with all season ticket-holders affected by relocations, including Norman, to find them the best possible alternative seats elsewhere in the ground.'
News Catch Up - Friday 23 May
During his time in Manchester, Whiteside set records as the youngest player to score in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
The Belfast-born star also surpassed Pele's record to become the youngest player to participate in a World Cup, representing his country aged 17 years and 40 days.
Injury forced Whiteside to retire at just 26, but he remains a revered figure among fans for his contributions, particularly that match-winning goal in the 1985 FA Cup final.
He also helped the club to win the FA Cup in 1983, a 4-0 replay victory over Brighton after a 2-2 draw in the first Wembley game.
Old Trafford fans have been further angered after a decision by new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's intention to raise season ticket prices by £66 and a series of staffing cuts across the club.
Added to that, there's discontent amongst supporters after a season of disappointing displays on the pitch, with the club not only missing out on Champions League qualification next season after losing their Europa League final earlier this week, but also languishing 16th in the Premier League ahead of the final weekend of the season which has been their worst since the club was relegated in 1973/74.
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