Jamie Carragher asks Liverpool fans not to abuse Michael Owen in charity testimonial
Jamie Carragher has pleaded with Liverpool supporters not to taint his charity testimonial on Saturday by subjecting Michael Owen to a hostile reception, despite admitting the former Anfield icon âupset some peopleâ by signing for bitter rivals Manchester United last season.
By Mark Ogden
Published: 7:15AM BST 03 Sep 2010
Owen, 30, who scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool prior to his transfer to Real Madrid in 2004, has agreed to play alongside Carragher in a Liverpool shirt during the former England defenderâs benefit game against an Everton XI at Anfield.
Owen became a target for terrace abuse at Anfield by agreeing to move to Old Trafford on a free transfer from Newcastle in July 2009.
But Carragher insists that supporters should remember Owenâs contribution as a Liverpool player and overlook his Manchester United connections following his decision to accept an invitation to play in a game from which all proceeds will go to Carragherâs 23 foundation, which supports local charities and groups.
Carragher said he hoped Owenâs United move did not affect his reception âbecause I think he deserves a great one for what he did for Liverpool. He was a fantastic player, right up there with the greats for what he did.
âHe left in difficult circumstances, but when he went to Manchester United, his career was on a bit of a downward spiral and heâll admit that himself.
âSo the chance to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world was difficult to turn down. He moved and upset some people, but he had to do what was right for himself and his family.
âHis kids were just starting school and he wanted to move back home so that came into it as well.â
United supporters are being urged to mark the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford later this month with an âold shirtâ protest against the clubâs owners, the Glazer family.
Despite the Glazersâ insistence that they have no plans to sell United in the wake of sustained opposition to their ownership last season and increased interest rates on a portion of the clubâs ÂŁ716.5 million debt, supporters remain determined to maintain the profile of their campaign.
The green-and-gold campaign, symbolised by the wearing of scarves in the colours of Newton Heath, Unitedâs forerunners, proved a hugely successful and visible image of anti-Glazer sentiment among the clubâs supporters.
But a proposed boycott of season tickets proved less successful, with United chief executive David Gill revealing this week that the club sold 51,800 season tickets this summer, a drop of only 2,200 on 12 months ago.
Fansâ groups are now planning a protest that involves supporters wearing United shirts that pre-date the Glazersâ 2005 takeover.
Guardian
« Last Edit: Sep 05, 2010 12:52:11 pm by JD »
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