England's Premier League resumes this week, with no fans at matches. For those used to going to every single game, that's a hard one to stomach. The National spoke to four diehard Manchester United supporters to find out their reactions.
Peter Bolton
Peter Bolton is a familiar face at Manchester United matches, his ‘One Love’ flag often adorning the away section. He’s seen his team play in 41 countries and has missed only two European away games this century: in Athens after the 9/11 attacks and in Rostov, Russia, in 2017 after he was unable to get a visa in time when his application was rejected.
Bolton hasn't missed a home game since Leyton Orient in 1974 (he was shopping with a girlfriend) and hasn’t missed a domestic away game so far this century. He attends 120 United matches per season.
“First team, youth team, reserve team and under 18s, I do them all unless there’s a clash of fixtures,” says the 63-year-old retired taxi driver from Timperley, six miles from Old Trafford.
“It’s good fun, I enjoy it. I’d been to 91 games this season before the lockdown – it’s only United games that I go to. I’d booked and paid for the trip to LASK, the final game before the lockdown, but the situation became unclear and we were worried that we wouldn’t be able to get back from Austria. The club generously refunded our travel costs, which was fantastic.”
“My wife and I have been stuck at home in the lockdown. She had a stroke five years ago so we can’t really go out. It hasn't been easy.
“Going to United for me is about more than the 90 minutes of the match. It’s the planning, the journey, your friends, the socialising. My favourite games are pre-season tours or European away where you travel for longer. I visit cathedrals and tour the places I go to.
"People ask me how I can afford it but these trips are my holidays. I miss my friends from the match, the camaraderie. We travel on a bus and I usually drive. We took the train to Bruges in February and it was great to see fans along the way.
“I don’t usually watch football on television because I’m at the games. I don’t have some of the TV channel subscriptions.
“I’m not going to sit at home and watch the game by myself. I wouldn’t know where to go for things like Amazon and Netflix. I’ve thought about going to London for the Spurs game this Friday or going to Old Trafford for the Sheffield United game next week. But I don’t want to stand outside the ground and not watch it; I’d rather be with fellow United fans and watch it.
"I’ll go to Old Trafford on Tuesday because [former United player] Tony Dunne’s funeral cortege will pass the stadium. He taught my dad to play golf, but I’ve resigned myself to not being able to sit in my seat for a game this season. I’d like fans to be allowed in soon, even if the whole stadium is not full.”
Jon Berry
The Salfordian, who grew up in Ordsall just across the Manchester Ship Canal from Old Trafford, has been to 1,126 consecutive Manchester United home games.
“I went to my first game when I was nine and haven't missed one since,” explains Berry, 51. “That was against Spurs in 1979 and I stood on on the Stretford End. I moved to the United Road terrace in the 80s and K Stand (a seated section behind the goal) in 1989. I’ve been there ever since, quite close to the away fans.
“I’m from a big United area and my mum and dad met on a coach going to see United in the European Cup final in 1968 so they understand. Dad was a head steward on the Stretford End for years. My kids come to games with me too and I took my grandchild to their first game aged two.
“There have been a few times when I’ve come close to missing matches. My ex-wife was about to give birth to our twins and was moved from hospital in Salford to Wythenshawe, where they did multiple births.
"I nipped home and grabbed my season ticket as United were playing and then disappeared to watch the game. My wife held on and the twins were born a few days later.
“Another time, I went to get a newspaper on a Monday morning but disappeared to Montpellier away for the rest of the week. That’s probably why she’s my ex-wife.
“I had a bad accident a few years ago when I fell out of the back of a van and badly damaged my elbow. I needed my elbow replacing and couldn’t work.
"I went to hospital and told the doctors that if they were going to operate then they needed to do it that night as there was a game the following day. They operated a week later.
“I’m gutted about games behind closed doors but understand the reason why – it’s a global pandemic. My record will have an asterisk against it – a bit like Liverpool’s league title.
"I emailed United asking if I could get into the game next week [against Sheffield United] and explaining my record. I offered to take a covid test, to be a ballboy. I’d do anything and I’d be Fred the Red [the club mascot] if needed. United replied: ‘Under the current circumstances it is not something that we can consider.
“I’ve accepted that there’s nothing I can do about it but I’d like to go to Old Trafford and watch the game on my phone outside the stadium if the police allow it.
"I feel that I need to be there but know I can’t be. I just want to see United and the sooner fans can watch games, the better.”
Fergus Burke
The 42-year old from Manchester travels to games home and away with his wife Nyree and their two boys, Jon, 13 and Ciaran, 11.
“I’ve not missed a home game since Southampton in 1989,” says the senior estimator who works in Trafford Park by Old Trafford. “And I’ve missed five games in England since 1993. People dying, the birth of out youngest lad who was in an incubator and my wife who wasn’t well. And a kids football match [Burke trains Wythenshawe Town Mavericks under 14s] were reasons why.
“The four of us go to games together and see the world together. We’ll visit the tourist sights when United play in London and see cathedrals or ancient ruins when United play in Europe.
"We usually travel by train on the family railcards. Friends come with us, it’s a great community and far more than just the match. I work hard and play hard with all the travel.
“I can’t get my head around not being able to go to see United when the football restarts. I thought about going to Spurs on Friday, but what’s the point? And I booked a hotel for Norwich away next weekend because it had a view of the Carrow Road pitch.
"I reserved three rooms thinking that one of them must have a view. The hotel cancelled on me and explained that it was being used for key workers, which I understand. I suppose my FergusMUFC email address gave the game away. Even if we wanted to go, the away games are all midweek and at awkward times. The pubs are closed, there are no trains back and we can’t get in the grounds.
“I just want to see United again. We’ve walked around Old Trafford a few times during lockdown, but I want to see the team and my friends from football.
"One good mate, Nigel Shields from Strabane in Northern Ireland, also goes to all the games and he came to Manchester to see games before the lockdown.
"He stayed with us … and kept on staying with us as he couldn’t get home. He’s been trying to book flights back but they keep being cancelled. So he’s been working from home – our home – ever since.”
Phil Williams
The 54-year-old civil servant from North Wales has watched United play in more than 40 countries on six continents. He saw every single United game Alex Ferguson managed and didn’t miss any game from November 1985, until Cardiff City at home a year ago.
“I missed Cardiff because of an accident in a public house in Manchester on the way home from Huddersfield the week before. I fell down some stairs and landed on my head. A policewoman resuscitated me and I was put into an induced coma. I’m lucky to be alive.
“Before that, the last game I missed was for my sister’s wedding when I was 19. Family pressure meant that I missed it – otherwise I would have gone to the game.
“I struggle to watch football on television. There’s so much of it that it washes over me. I watched one of the German games recently and switched off after ten minutes. No interest. I’ve enjoyed watching re-runs of United games from the 1970s or 80s more because I can relate to them or because I was there.
“I went to LASK in Austria for the last game before the lockdown and saw the first 15 minutes of the match though a fence behind one goal. One of our mates climbed over a shed and through back gardens to see the pitch. He was caught and fined.
"I gave up after a while. You could see individual players and hear them shout but couldn’t follow the match. I’d hoped for a better vantage point and got there early to scout the ground out. There wasn’t much we could do and police were everywhere.
“I work flexi-time so that I can watch United and it’s a huge part of my life. There was another game I nearly missed – Galatasaray away in 1993, the crazy game where fans were deported and Eric Cantona was fighting with Turkish police.
"We arrived early and it was chaos, with police batoning the fans. We got into the home section with ten minutes to play – and were lucky to get out of there alive and were chased out of the ground.
“Other fans have asked if I’m going to Spurs on Friday – a show of force of United fans if you like. But in the cold light of day you’d spend £150, take a day off work, have no train home, no pub to watch the game in and no other options.
"If the pubs re-open in July and people are allowed to gather again, I could see myself meeting my friends close to Old Trafford.
"Football has always had a big social element for me but I think fans have accepted that they’re not going to be able to go to games this season. I just want it back as soon as possible.”
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier
Results
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs
Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets
Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets
Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets
Semi-finals
UAE v Qatar
Bahrain v Kuwait
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
MO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Teresa%20Ruiz%2C%20Omar%20Elba%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Isle of Dogs
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson
Three stars
South Africa squad
: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Bullet%20Train
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Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
GCC-UK%20Growth
%3Cp%3EAn%20FTA%20with%20the%20GCC%20would%20be%20very%20significant%20for%20the%20UK.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20My%20Department%20has%20forecast%20that%20it%20could%20generate%20an%20additional%20%C2%A31.6%20billion%20a%20year%20for%20our%20economy.%3Cbr%3EWith%20consumer%20demand%20across%20the%20GCC%20predicted%20to%20increase%20to%20%C2%A3800%20billion%20by%202035%20this%20deal%20could%20act%20as%20a%20launchpad%20from%20which%20our%20firms%20can%20boost%20their%20market%20share.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
