UPDATE: |’My husband was a lifelong Manchester United fan – I’m beyond disappointed’ News

Jane McLaughlin lost her husband, a platinum season ticket holder with Manchester United, during the Covid-19 pandemic

A grieving mum whose late husband was a lifelong Manchester United fan has slammed the club after they denied her appeal to have his platinum season ticket changed into her name to continue making memories with her son.

Jane McLaughlin lost her husband Rob following a short illness during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. For more than 25 years he held a season ticket – and had earnt the place as a platinum ticket holder – giving him access to away game tickets and even a plaque on a seat at the Trafford stadium.

But following Rob’s tragic death, Jane said she didn’t initially change the season ticket into her name and continued attending matches with her son Robbie, who is also a huge supporter of Manchester United.

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But she claims she has recently since attempted to have the ticket changed into her name to continue attending the games and enjoying the perks offered by the club following her husband’s decades-long loyalty – but that it has been denied despite an appeal.

She said she is ‘beyond disappointed’ and claims she even had to leave work in tears after being informed of the outcome of the appeal saying it was ‘like a secondary loss’.

She said her only option now is to lose the loyalty status and join a waiting list for season tickets – meaning she is unable to apply for away game tickets and that her son, now 14, who she says would be expected to attend games in his own.

A Manchester United source has said that although the club understands Jane’s perspective and regrets the disappointment felt by her, that they have apply ticket policies ‘consistently’ for the ‘benefit of all supporters’ and hundreds of others in the same position.

This is also due to the thousands of fans currently on the Manchester United season ticket waiting list.

It’s understood that Jane was previously offered opportunities to change the name on the season ticket before the new policies were introduced but did not at the time.

Jane said Rob had been attending Manchester United matches for over 40 years, including regularly going to watch European away matches and pre-season games.

“It’s a huge part of ours and our family’s lives. I will do anything to keep going with him,” she told the M.E.N.

“The reason this came about this season was because, for the first time, United started asking for photo ID to renew season tickets, including a photo from passport or ID and a selfie that all need to match the name of the ticket.

“I did ask previously for a name change a few years ago. But at the time they didn’t make it clear it was my only opportunity to take it, and they said I’d lose the loyalty which would mean I couldn’t apply for away tickets.

“My son was only 10 when his dad died and I spoke to him about it – but he said he wanted to have the chance to go to away matches when he was older, so we waited and now I have requested the name change.

“Rob had his season ticket for over 25 years and had been going to matches for over 40 years. It was such a big part of his life. He was also a platinum holder meaning he also got a plaque which, for me, is extremely poignant made and makes me feel like he is still a part of it, like some sort of memorial. It meant so much to him.

“My son is 14 now and has his own season ticket. But he’d have to go on his own, with adults sitting beside him who he doesn’t know. But it’s also about me not getting the chance to continue making memories with him.

“Nobody expects to lose their dad at just 10 years old. It’s been a really tough few years for us as a family, and I’ve been taking him back to the matches ever since they continued after the pandemic.”

After first being told that she would lose the season ticket, Jane says she then appealed the decision but was told it had also been rejected. It’s understood the club say this is so there is consistency in their ticket policies across the board.

“I am beyond disappointed. It’s so much more than that. I received a call from the club telling me my appeal had been rejected. I was so upset it triggered a huge wave of grief and I had to go home from work in tears.

“Unless somebody has been through a similar level of grief you can’t explain how it can hit you. This now just feels like a secondary loss.

“But, I’m not surprised by the club. The people that make these decisions are faceless. Where is the kindness, humanity and empathy? They are only thinking from a business side and not the human side.

“This is my opportunity to spend time with my son, and to keep his dad’s memory alive. Most of his memories of his dad are from matches. He can still remember the last one he went to with his dad. So, it’s not just about the tickets.”

Earlier this year, United introduced ID verification, explaining the move was an attempt to tackle ticket touting at Old Trafford. Their ID will then be cross-referenced against the name and date of birth on the club’s system for the season ticket.