Latest news with #NormanWhiteside
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland withdraw from youth tournament that set Steven Davis and Conor Bradley on their way to stardom
Exclusive | Northern Ireland have pulled out of the famous Victory Shield youth tournament that set the likes of Norman Whiteside, Michael O'Neill, David Healy, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Conor Bradley on their international football journey. The Irish FA confirmed to Sunday Life Sport that they have withdrawn from the competition 100 years after it was first played as a 'strategic step designed to allow us to reshape and refocus our Under-16 programme'.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd great walks away from season ticket after 28 years - "Enough is enough"
Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside and his wife, Dee, have decided against renewing their season tickets at Old Trafford after more than 28 years Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside has decided not to renew his season ticket at Old Trafford due to a series of issues, including the relocation of his seat, leading his wife to declare "enough is enough". Whiteside, who joined United as a teenager in 1978 and made his way into the first team, scored 67 goals in 274 appearances for the Red Devils before moving to Everton in 1989. The decision by Whiteside and his wife, Dee, to not renew their season tickets comes a year after they were forced to move their seats at Old Trafford to accommodate executive seating. 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, @NormanWhiteside 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.", reports the Manchester Evening News. "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 was reported by the MEN last year, a change that impacted the Whitesides. A spokesperson for United acknowledged: "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." During his tenure in Manchester, Whiteside set records as the youngest player to score in both FA Cup and League Cup finals. The Northern Irishman also surpassed Pele's record to become the youngest player to participate in a World Cup, representing his country at the tender age of 17 years and 40 days. Injury forced Whiteside to retire at just 26, but he remains a beloved figure among fans for his contributions, particularly his match-winning goal against Everton in the 1985 FA Cup final.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside to give up season ticket after 28 years following seat relocation issue
Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside has decided not to renew his season ticket at the club following a 'forced relocation', according to his wife. Whiteside, who famously made his debut for United at just 16-years-old and broke Pele's record as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup with Northern Ireland in 1982, has been a long-time supporter of the club. The Belfast-born star made 278 appearances for United, helping them secure FA Cup victories in 1983 and 1985, scoring in both finals. After two additional years at Everton, Whiteside's career was tragically cut short due to a severe knee injury, forcing him to retire at only 26. READ MORE: Rhys Marshall reflects on career highlights as he hangs up his boots READ MORE: David Healy linked with vacant Scottish Premiership job as Linfield talks continue Last year, Whiteside's wife Denise, affectionately known as Dee, expressed her frustration with the club after they were moved from their regular seats at Old Trafford. The couple had been comfortably situated near the directors' box in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand for many years. In response, Manchester United stated that the club was consolidating matchday hospitality seats into blocks to address fan concerns about them being scattered around the stadium. Dee Whiteside has now confirmed via social media that she and Norman will be relinquishing their season tickets at Old Trafford after more than 28 years. "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, " she posted on 'X'. "Having been forcibly relocated last season, "red carded" for not attending enough games, unable to give my "paid for" seat to my 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." Their disillusionment comes shortly after demonstrations against co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe concerning plans to displace a segment of the club's season ticket holders. The scheme involves relocating approximately 500 Manchester United season ticket holders from prime spots near the dugout. The reasoning being that these seats will be occupied by premium hospitality fans, which, according to the club, justifies the move due to 'the high value of this unique location'. 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, @NormanWhiteside and I are not renewing next year. Having been forcibly relocated last season, 'red carded' for not attending — Mrs W Official (@WhitesideDee) May 21, 2025 What has further aggravated fans is Ratcliffe's resolution to hike season tickets by £66. Anger mounts as these price surges coincide with Manchester United enduring a lacklustre performance domestically, with Ruben Amorim's squad languishing at 16th place as they approach their ultimate match of the season. Adding insult to injury, Manchester United were dealt a further blow on Wednesday when they faced a 1-0 loss against Tottenham in the Europa League final, dashing any residual hopes for Champions League qualification.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Man United hero not renewing season ticket after being 'forcibly relocated' under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ticket plans - as legend's wife posts scathing criticism of club
Man United great Norman Whiteside will not renew his season ticket at the club after being 'forcibly relocated', his wife has announced. Whiteside made 278 appearances for Man United during the 1980s, scoring 68, across eight seasons. He famously made his debut for the club aged 16 and in 1982 broke Pele 's record for the youngest player to feature at the World Cup. The Northern Irish star helped Man United to win the FA Cup in 1983 and 1985. Whiteside had a further two years at Everton, but his playing career was cruelly cut short when a serious knee injury forced him to retire at the age of 26. Last year, Whiteside's wife Denise, more commonly known as Dee, hit out at the club after they were relocated from their usual seats at Old Trafford. Whiteside's wife Dee revealed they have decided against renewing their season tickets after claiming they had been 'forcibly moved' by the club last season The couple had long been settled close to the directors' box in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand. Man United claimed in response that the club was moving matchday hospitality seats into consolidated blocks to address fan concerns about them being dispersed around the stadium. Dee Whiteside, writing on social media, has now confirmed that she and Norman will be giving up their season tickets at Old Trafford after over 28 years. '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,' she wrote. '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's comments come just weeks after fans protested against co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe over plans to move some of the club's season ticket holders. The club plan to relocate around 500 United season ticket holders whose seats are close to the dugout. United intend for those seats to be taken by fans in premium hospitality, with the club saying that this reflects 'the high value of this unique location'. Fans are also disappointed with Ratcliffe's decision to increase the price of season tickets by £66. The increases have come despite Man United suffering a dismal domestic season, with Ruben Amorim's side heading into their final match of the campaign in 16th place. Man United's woes were compounded on Wednesday when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, with the result also ending their hopes of Champions League qualification.
