Well it seems that the off-season has come and almost gone, which goes to show that if we want to do off-season stuff in the future then we need to get our act together!

Manchester United’s season kicks off with a home game against the Brummies on Aug 16th. It’s a lunchtime kick-off, so it’s ideal for those of us on the other side of the globe.

While I am sure many Reds will watch in various places, Burswood, Joondalup, their own living room etc., I hope to meet a number of you at the Midland HQ.

While we are not yet fully incorporated, we are certainly at a point where an “AGM” of sorts needs to be held, just to kick around some ideas, and set a course for the future. Now don’t panic – I personally hate meetings as a general rule, and still bear the mental scars from sitting through far too many support club AGMs that dragged on and on.

What we will do is have a bit of a chat over a beer, give a chance to people to put ideas into the mix, and work out a couple of key issues.

For example, there has been a suggestion of having more than one “official” venue for watching games. With approx 100km between the northern and southern extremes of the Perth metropolitan area, this seems to be a very sensible idea, and we’re particularly keen to hear from those willing to help coordinate such a thing.

It will also give us a chance to take stock of where we are, official numbers on the membership list and so on. For those who are not aware, belonging to this Facebook group does not make you a member of MUSC WA. For that you need to fill in the form and pay the fees (which are kept deliberately low).

One tangible benefit of belonging to MUSC WA is 10% discount at the Football Emporium, Albany Hwy, Cannington. The owner, Damien, is a massive United supporter, and if you’ve never visited the shop then you really do need to – he has a pretty impressive collection of United memorabilia.

For those who are members, and do not yet have membership cards, that should be addressed shortly. The branch secretary has been a bit busy giving birth to a baby, so hopefully you’ll forgive her

One final thing to mention – in addition to giving United fans a way to connect with fellow Reds, the longer term plans of MUSC WA include social elements and, once we gain official status, the prospect of having branch trips to the Mecca that is Old Trafford. Also, it surely can’t be too long before United come to Australia again, and United tend to be pretty with meeting official supporters club branch members etc.

So then, plenty to talk about, and of course a match to watch.

I will send out event invitations, but the doors of MUSC WA HQ will open at 6:30pm on Aug 16th for the “AGM”, with the match against Birmingham City kicking off at 8:30pm

I hope to see you there!

Keep the Faith

So who saw the signing of Michael Owen coming? Not me for sure. When I first heard the news I wondered if this was one of Fergie’s occasional bloopers, and we will only really know once the season commences. There’s a bit of a cloud hanging over the player, in terms of fitness and injury, but he seems reasonably confident that this won’t be an issue.

It also caught me a bit off-guard to read that Owen is 29; in my mind he is older than that, but that’s because he’s been around a long time, but from a very young age.

I’m heartened by the way Harry “sick note” Kewell seems to have got over his injury woes, and has been a key player for his Turkish paymasters. Maybe a spell at United can be a very productive and rewarding one for (not so) young Michael?

Having given it some thought, overall I am feeling happier about this signing, and it would be fantastic to see him bang in a winner against the rat-eaters.

This video helped ally some of my fears – he sounds really excited about it, and there’s even a hint that he’s always wanted to play for us…