A retired headteacher has launched a petition to encourage United to set up a women’s team –and match City.
Lifelong Reds supporter Graham Pheby has already collected more than 1,600 signatures and plans to pass them on to new boss David Moyes.
Graham, from Northenden, believes it’s time the club had a women’s side – with rivals City, Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool all boasting successful ladies’ teams. Last August, City’s ladies’ side became an official part of the club – and will play in the Women’s Super League next season. Graham, 67, who has five daughters and six grand-daughters, has received the backing of Withington MP John Leech as well as female players and coaches from across the city.
He said: “United are conspicuously absent from the fast developing phenomenon of women's football.
“FC United of Manchester, even with their limited resources, have a women’s team so it doesn’t make sense that United haven’t got a team.
“When Moyes was Everton manager he introduced a women’s team. This is the perfect time to ask him to do the same at United.”
The Reds had a women’s team until 2005 when they were axed because they didn’t benefit the ‘core business’.
By law United are obliged to allow girls to train at the club up to 16 in order to be permitted to have a boys’ academy.
“The United girls’ academy is very good but it’s a real shame that they have to leave at 16 – and potentially sign for another club such as City or Everton,” added Graham.
“I really enjoy football and I love the women's game. There are some striking differences which go back to a different time in the men’s game.
“ I used to watch as a boy with my dad – no diving, constant mauling and shirt pulling in the goalmouth, claiming for everything, and bad language with referees. The enthusiasm in the women’s game is also really striking too.
“There will be an amazing amount of interest in the women’s game over the next couple of years – the women’s under-20 World Cup will take place next year, followed by the women’s World Cup in 2015.
“So many women love football - it doesn’t seem fair that they can’t play it at United.”
Graham’s petition has been signed by men and women from across the world, including Afghan National Women’s team captain Zahra Mahmoodi.
Graham added: “My petition campaign will continue for as long as it takes to hear United have decided to establish a women's team.”
To support his campaign, go to:
