About 18 months on, the hundreds of protestors who descended on Old Trafford appear to have got their wish. Earlier this week, an announcement from Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, confirmed the club is up for sale.
Their 17-year highly controversial reign at one of the world's biggest football clubs looks set to come to an end. Speculation over what has caused the American family's change of heart is rife.
But the continuous dissent and protest against the ownership is likely to have featured in their thinking. Anger was at fever pitch ahead of a planned Premier League fixture against fierce rivals Liverpool on May 2 last year.
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Up to 2,000 protestors assembled outside Old Trafford, ahead of the game which was to be played behind closed doors, to make their feelings known. Now 40 of them have criminal records, after pleading guilty to violent disorder after the initially peaceful demonstration.
Metal barriers were stormed, two entrances to the pitch were forced open and dozens of people made their way onto the pitch. Bottles and cans were hurled at police officers, and one hit an officer in the face causing a serious injury.
In total 35 assaults against police officers and security staff were recorded. One police officer was kicked to the testicles.
Criminal damage was also committed, including a Sky TV camera which cost more than £60,000 to repair. Judges have hit out at the 'disgraceful' scenes outside the ground. On Friday, in the latest sentencing hearing, the city's most senior judge branded five yobs as a 'disgrace' to Manchester United.
"I accept that the way in which you behaved was out of character, but I'm afraid that the reality of this situation is in various states of drink, excited by the mob who had gathered to protest, each of you behaved in ways that were a disgrace," Judge Nicholas Dean KC said.
"A disgrace to yourselves and to the club that you purport to support. I hope that the sense of shame you felt has stayed with you. The overall actions of hundreds of individuals must have been terrifying for the police and the stewards who were just doing their job, who were the subject of prolonged abuse."
Details of how the peaceful protests turned violent have been laid bare during several court hearings. Supporters began to congregate outside Old Trafford at about 1pm, ahead of the game which was due to kick off at 4.30pm.
Earlier on in the afternoon, a fight broke out among United supporters after a group gathered around the Trinity Statue and hung an anti-Glazer flag over it. Others tried to remove the flag and punches were thrown.
Later on a mob of supporters stormed security fencing which had been erected on the forecourt, forcing it open and moving towards the Munich Tunnel. Some shook the tunnel gates and others climbed over. As Matthew Smethurst tried to climb over the gates, he kicked out and connected with the head of a steward, who suffered 'pain and discomfort'.
Some protestors forced open a door and there was a surge as they flooded inside Old Trafford. Dozens then made it onto the pitch, some kicking footballs around and taking the opportunity to score a goal on the hallowed turf.
Jake Cottee pushed over a Sky TV camera while in the ground, causing £63,000 worth of damage. A flare was thrown towards the Sky commentary team, but missed. Corner flags and footballs were stolen.
Among those who made it onto the pitch was Brian Doherty. He filmed selfie videos of himself saying ''we have broken in', 'we are on the f****** pitch' and 'f*** the f****** Glazers'.
Doherty also hurled abuse at Sky TV commentator and former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, saying 'don't spit at United fans' and calling him a 'Scouse t***'. Prosecutors said the abuse was in reference to an incident when the former England defender was 'in trouble for spitting at a Manchester United fan'.
Security staff were able to remove fans from the pitch and back onto the forecourt. As tensions raised, police came under fire from missles near to the Munich tunnel.
Glass bottles and cans were hurled at them. During the melee one officer was hit to the face and suffered serious facial fractures. One officer said missiles were being thrown at them 'like confetti'.
Another officer was 'kicked in the testicles' by Jake Hayes. "It knocked the wind out of him, causing him to feel instantly sick," prosecutor David Lees said. The officer suffered pain and bruising and had to take 'several days' off work.
Protestors were able to gain access to the ground a second time after the door to a disabled supporters entrance was forced open. "It is wrong that police officers and stewards have to cope with people like you who were behaving like animals," Judge Dean said at the sentencing hearing of Doherty and others. Police were later able to move the protestors away from the ground and onto nearby Chester Road.
Some of the mob stopped traffic by banging on passing car windows and shaking them. The game was postponed on safety advice, and the ugly scenes made the headlines around the world.
After Friday's hearing, GMP released footage of the incident for the first time.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry, said: "GMP’s Major Investigation Team (MIT), launched an extensive investigation relating to the disorder, following up on a large number of enquiries and intelligence received from public appeals, as well as extensive CCTV analysis and identification work, to make sure these people were located and made to face the consequences of their appalling actions that day. Our officers put their lives on the line every day to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe, and it is absolutely shameful that anyone would willingly assault an emergency worker.
"We simply will not tolerate this happening. This incident also happened in the midst of the pandemic, when our emergency services were already stretched trying to reach those who needed us the most.
"I hope these people feel ashamed of their actions and have some sense of remorse. I would like to add that GMP are fully aware that the majority of football supporters act in a respectful manner, and we thank those people. We want to see the public out supporting their teams and having an enjoyable experience and our dedicated football officers work closely with our local clubs, partner agencies and supporter groups to promote this happening."
The M.E.N. has covered the sentencings of 38 men who were hauled to court for their role in the incident. The outcomes of their cases are listed below.
- Jake Cottee, 21, of Woolley Road, Maidstone, Kent - pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage. Sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
- Matthew Smethurst, 30, of Fern Street, Chadderton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage. Sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, unpaid work.
- Keenan Kavanagh, 20, from Ellesmere Street, Salford - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, unpaid work.
- Ryan Fox-Kettle, 24, of Queen Street, Staffordshire - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Rudy Smethurst, 26, of Banbury Road, Middleton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Brian Doherty, 56, of Douglas Walk, Whitefield - pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing cannabis. Sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Curfew for eight months.
- Gary Buckley, 52, of Billinge Road, Wigan - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. Curfew for eight months.
- Jake Hayes, 21, of Whitebeam Close, Salford- pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Joseph O'Connor, 20, of Saxony Road, Liverpool - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Liam Bentley, 34, of Alldis Street, Stockport - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Brandon Cowlishaw, 23, of East Street, Stoke-on-Trent - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Reiss Farrell, 21, of Eldon Road, Salford - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Harry Curtis, 22, of Ermin Street, Swindon - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Paul Doherty, 54, of Norfolk Avenue, Denton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Louie Bates, 30, of Bury Old Road, Prestwich - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Michael Lewis, 36, of Thompson Road, Denton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Michael Hughes, 31, of Bollington Road, Manchester - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Liam Riley, 32, of Fawcett Close, Denton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Louis Rafferty, 25, of Fairview Road, Denton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Michael Cusker, 30, of Welwyn Walk, Manchester - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Matthew Connor, 21, of Heron Drive, Irlam, Salford - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Henry Garside, 24, from Warrington - pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary of a corner flag. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Peter McNally, 28, of Randor Drive, Wallasey, Merseyside - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work and alcohol treatment programme.
- Niall Stott, 23, of Borrowdale Close, Royton - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- Luke Matthews, 31, of Abingdon Drive, Wigan - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Drug rehabilitation.
- Sean Baines, 26, of Owen Street, Manchester - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order. Unpaid work.
- George Baker, 36, of Rochdale Road, Manchester - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to two year community order and unpaid work.
- Aston Maxfield, 22, of Pelsall Road, Walsall - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years. Unpaid work.
- Dylan Blood, 19, of Conway Avenue, Salford - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 12 month suspended sentence. Unpaid work
- Ben Cowlishaw, 21, of Winchester Road, Davyhulme - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 12 month suspended prison sentence. Unpaid work.
- Robert Edwards, 22, of Amblecoat East Drive, Worsley - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 16 month suspended sentence. Unpaid work
- Jake Collins, 25, of Barton Lane, Eccles - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
- Simon Wright, 27, of Mulberry Gardens, Sandbach - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to 20 month suspended prison sentence. Unpaid work.
- John Powney, 38, of Watermead, Rotherham - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
- Michael Pollard, 39, of Randormere Drive, Cheadle - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
- Jake O'Hare, 26, of Chataway Road, Crumpsall - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
- Adam Smethurst, 39, of Bispham Close, Bury - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
- Joshua Smethurst, 26, of Saxon Close, Bury - pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Sentenced to year community order. Unpaid work.
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