Ian Stirling dead at 57: Man Utd fan and campaigner passes away with club to pay tribute against Southampton
MANCHESTER UNITED fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57.
Stirling was the independent supporter liaison officer for the Manchester United Supporters Trust, a role he took up in 2003.
Manchester United FCMan Utd fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57[/caption]
He was also a regular on TV as a representative of fans and led campaigns against the club’s unpopular Glazer family owners.
United will pay respect to Stirling by wearing black armbands against Southampton at Old Trafford today and released a statement following his passing.
It read: “Everyone at Manchester United is profoundly saddened by the loss of our longstanding friend and fan representative Ian Stirling, who has died at the age of 57.
“Over many years, Ian played a vital role in dialogue between fans and the club and as a fearless champion on fan issues.
“Ian was a founding member of the club’s Fans’ Advisory Board and a long-time member of our Fans’ Forum.
“As the Independent Supporter Liaison Officer for Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, Ian worked tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our fans.”
United’s chief executive Richard Arnold said: “This is truly devastating news for all of us at the club who knew and worked with Ian.
“He was a towering figure within our fan community, loved and respected in equal measure.
“Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.
“We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Lynn, daughter Lucy, and other loved ones.
“The best tribute we can pay to Ian is to continue strengthening the club’s commitment to fan engagement via the Fans’ Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum, and preserving the lines of communication and advocacy which he opened in his role as Independent Supporter Liaison Officer.”
GettyMan Utd will pay respect to Ian Stirling at Old Trafford[/caption]
