Saturday 15th April: If the Reds Should Play...Rotterdam '91, with guest speaker Clayton Blackmore

Before the Brackley Town home match on Saturday 15th April, we will be hosting a brand new pre-match entertainment event in the Main Stand Bar called “If the Reds Should Play??? which will focus on Rotterdam 1991 and we’re please to welcome Clayton Blackmore as one of the guest speakers.



Before the Brackley Town home match on Saturday 15th April, we will be hosting a brand new pre-match entertainment event in the Main Stand Bar called “If the Reds Should Play??? which will focus on Rotterdam 1991. We are also pleased to welcome Clayton Blackmore as one of the guest speakers.

This light-hearted event is all about bringing together supporters of all ages to share their stories about their ‘United Following Days’. Each event will have a different topic or theme and will be an amalgamation of fan stories, showing of videos and showcasing various items of memorabilia too. If the first one proves to be successful we could look to host 4 or 5 similar events next season.

The idea comes partly comes from the success of the club’s Sporting Memories Group that meet every Friday, but also as a result of speaking to a number of fans about our past United experiences. For younger fans, it’s a chance to learn more about the history of watching United; and for the older fans it’s a chance to tell their stories and relive those memories.

So, on Saturday 15th April between 12 noon to 3pm in the Main Stand Function Room “If the Reds Should Play…??? will focus on Rotterdam 1991, which saw United winning the European Cup Winners Cup against Barcelona. It’s likely to be busy so please get there early to avoid disappointment.

We have chosen Rotterdam 1991 as we know that there are quite a few FC fans that were at the match itself, or at the very least, remembered that exciting time in the club’s history. That season, having won the FA Cup in 1990, United took part in the European Cup Winners Cup which was the first season that English Clubs were allowed back into Europe after the 5 year ban following Heysel in 1985. For many fans therefore it may have been their first experience of a United Euro Away.

Did anyone go to Pesci Munkas, Wrexham, Montpellier or Legia Warsaw? Have you a tale or two of how you made your way to Rotterdam? Did you SIT DOWN or stand up? Did you get soaked in the pouring rain? Did you ‘Drink Drink wherever you may be …’ and how many times did you sing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life????

We are delighted to welcome Clayton Blackmore to say a few words at the event. The 1990/91 season was probably Blackmore’s most successful at United, scoring for the Reds against Pecsi Munkas at home and a 40 yard free-kick away at Montpellier. However, Blackmore’s clearance off the line in the closing minutes in the Final in Rotterdam to deny Barcelona an equaliser, is probably the moment that lives long in the memories of United fans that night.

Joining Clayton Blackmore on the 15th April will be 5 supporters who will also share their stories about watching United away in Europe that season.

We’d also encourage fans to bring along memorabilia from that era whether it be shirts, scarves, flags, hats, programmes, newspapers cuttings, posters ticket stubs or photos. Also if you have any items that you’d be happy to part with, we can add them into a raffle/auction with all proceeds going to the DF.

There is no additional charge to attend this event, it’s all part of the match day admission price of £9 Adults, £5 Concessions and £2 u/18s.

The plan for the day will go something like this.

12 noon Doors open
A chance for fans to grab a drink and some food, have a chat, look at memorabilia etc. We will show the 1990/91 Season Review Video on a big screen accompanied by music that was in the charts at the time to get everyone well and truly in the mood.

1pm Welcome
In the background we will show the first half of the ECWC Final (no sound)

1.10pm - 1.45pm - Tellin’ Stories
Guest speakers to talk about their experiences of watching United in Europe that season plus the opportunity for people to chip in and tell a story or ask questions. We’ll also have a ‘just for fun’ quiz for people to test your memories of that period, plus a raffle.

1.45pm Second half
Second half coverage of the ECWC Final + celebrations (with sound)

2.30 - 2.45pm Finish

3pm FC United v Brackley Town

The success of this is down to you the fans, so please give it a go, join in and participate. If you have any memorabilia just bring them along on the day and we will display them on the memorabilia tables. If you have any photos you’d like to share, or want to get involved in helping to organise the event please drop Paul Haworth an email at redsshouldplay@gmail.com

**Parental Guidance - Please be mindful that some supporter stories of watching United in Europe that season may contain adult content.**