Manchester United icon Gary Neville has taken action to support former players after Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new club boss, decided to stop crucial financial aid.
As part of a significant cost-reduction strategy, billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe eliminated the club`s annual £40,000 contribution to a fund for former players.
The Association of Former Manchester United Players, established in 1985, aims to foster camaraderie, provide support, and engage in charitable activities.
Many of its over 300 members played before the era of today`s extremely high player salaries.
In a recent interview, football commentator Gary Neville questioned Sir Jim about cutting the funding, noting that the £40,000 cut affected players from the 1960s and 1970s, not just those from the Sir Alex Ferguson era or more recent times.
Neville suggested raising the funds through a dinner event to reinstate the financial support for these former players, calling the decision to cut funding “cruel.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe acknowledged the suggestion, admitting it hadn`t been considered.
Neville has now collaborated with the club to organize a fundraising event honoring former striker Andy Cole, with proceeds benefiting AFMUP.
The event, priced at £125 per ticket and scheduled for April 24, will be attended by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jim Elms, an 84-year-old trustee of AFMUP, expressed his gratitude, stating that Gary Neville contacted him to propose organizing a Q&A session, which they welcomed.
A source inside Man United affirmed their continued positive relationship with the former players’ association.
