Man United Fans Form Official Supporters’ Club
[Written by Stephen Wright]
For the first time ever, Bermuda has an official Manchester United Supporters Club [MUSC], the Bermuda Red Devils, where fans of the English Premier League giants can gather to follow the fortunes of their beloved side.
The Bermuda Red Devils were formed two years ago by local die-hard United supporters Richard Exon, Alan Gilbertson and Paul Doughty.
They have had to wait six months to meet the vetting requirements to become one of the 277 official supporters’ clubs in 92 different countries, with Mr Exon recently signing the official charter.
The Bermuda Red Devils has 52 members and meet to watch games at either Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant on Richmond Road or Flanagan’s Outback Sports Bar on Front Street.
The supporters’ club will look to arrange trips to Old Trafford for its members to visit the stadium and the museum and watch live games.
Mr Exon, who has supported United since 1977 when he was ten years old, told Bernews: “The supporters club is for like-minded people who have a similar interest, Manchester United, and enjoy watching games and having a bit of banter.”
He added: “United are the best-supported sports team in the world. That’s a fact!”
Mr Exon said he hopes to bring a United XI to Bermuda to play a charity match in the future.
The last time United visited the island was in 1987 when they were managed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, playing two games, beating the Bermuda national team at Somerset Cricket Club and a Bermuda XI in Warwick. They won both matches 4-1.
United subsequently invited Shaun Goater for a trial after he impressed while playing against them for Bermuda. They handed the forward his first professional contract, and while he did not make a first-team appearance for United, he did become a cult hero for their local rivals Manchester City, scoring 103 goals in 212 matches.
For more details about the Bermuda Red Devils, email BermudaRedDevils@gmail.com.
