A letter from your new MUDSA secretary

Dear MUDSA Members,

It’s with mixed emotions that I write this letter to you all, half with sadness at the loss of our leader and more importantly our friend Chas Banks MBE and half filled with pride of taking on the responsibility that comes with being your new MUDSA secretary.

The work done by my predecessors, both Phil Downs MBE and more recently Chas has made a huge impact in making our matchday experience at Old Trafford a more inclusive and friendly environment to be in. They also created the MUDSA family that we know today where I call many of you, my friends. Match days wouldn’t be the same without that Ability Suite banter between us all. I genuinely met some of the most wonderful and inspiring people within the MUDSA family.

Whilst we’ve come so far there is still a lot of work to be done and forming a working relationship under the INEOS ownership has already begun. Immediately we are presented with the challenges of budget cuts affecting how we work going forward but more importantly the stewarding and safety of us all.

My background as many of you know is in the military and I continue to live by the values and standards it taught me.

• Courage
• Discipline
• Respect for others
• Integrity
• Loyalty
• Selfless Commitment

I promise you all that I will use these as my guide when fighting to get the best for our members, understanding the views of everyone and being your voice to the Club. As a lifelong Manchester United fan, I’m as passionate as you all when it comes to our team, but I’m even more passionate about making your experience better, allowing you to enjoy the football in a safe, inclusive environment.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be sending out a survey soon to gather your valuable ideas and opinions. I want to understand the different viewpoints and challenges you all face. I’ll also be taking some training to broaden my knowledge about various disabilities, beyond my own experiences. By learning from you, our members, and the committee, I aim to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the varying challenges we all encounter and what is missing that might help make our experiences better.

With the possibility of a new or renovated stadium on the horizon, I believe it’s crucial to include everyone’s input in the club’s decision-making process. So, I’ll be sitting by the merchandise table at least every two months, two hours before kickoff. Feel free to come by and share any issues you may be having. But don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any committee member if you see us around.

Your voices matter to us!

Sincerely,

Rick Clement

MUDSA Secretary