This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7414342.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fans call for homecoming parade Fans call for homecoming parade
(about 1 hour later)
Manchester United fans are calling for a homecoming victory parade after the club's win against Chelsea in the Champions League final.Manchester United fans are calling for a homecoming victory parade after the club's win against Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Greater Manchester Police said last week that any parade would be postponed until the summer, a position they are maintaining following the match. Police said last week that any parade would be postponed until the summer, a position they are maintaining, citing a "serious risk to public safety".
They said a parade would be disruptive and a "serious risk to public safety". Fan Dave Wilson said a parade later in the year would be a "non-event".
United fan Dave Wilson, who contacted the BBC website, said a parade later in the year would be a "non-event". United defender Nemanja Vidic said some players were disappointed not to be able to celebrate with supporters.
"The real football fans have lost out to the hooligans again, a victory parade weeks after the event is a non-event," he said. Speaking in Moscow, he said: "This is a good moment to celebrate with fans, to say hi to them, to say thank you for what they did for us all year; they give us the big support."
We will do whatever we need to do Manchester City Council Leader Richard Leese
Mr Wilson, who contacted the BBC Manchester website, said: "The real football fans have lost out to the hooligans again, a victory parade weeks after the event is a non-event," he said.
"Maybe the authorities should also move things like New Year celebrations to a more suitable date for them.""Maybe the authorities should also move things like New Year celebrations to a more suitable date for them."
Another fan blamed Glasgow Rangers fans, who clashed with police after they lost the Uefa Cup final in Manchester last week.Another fan blamed Glasgow Rangers fans, who clashed with police after they lost the Uefa Cup final in Manchester last week.
We will do whatever we need to do Manchester City Council Leader Richard Leese
The fan, known only as Nicola, said: "It is not fair to wait until the summer, fans want to celebrate now.The fan, known only as Nicola, said: "It is not fair to wait until the summer, fans want to celebrate now.
"The Rangers fans have ruined it for us in our own city, it is truly unfair."The Rangers fans have ruined it for us in our own city, it is truly unfair.
"The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can orgainse celebrations without any trouble." "The authorities need to get their act together to show the rest of the world that Manchester can organise celebrations without any trouble."
The Chief Executive of Manchester United, David Gill, also blamed the trouble caused in Manchester city centre after Rangers' defeat in the UEFA Cup.
He said: "Well we looked at it and we were planning for that and then unfortunately some of the issues that came out of the UEFA cup game a week last wednesday, meant that, in discussions with the two councils and GMP it was felt it was not appropriate to hold one.
Thousands of people celebrated in Manchester in 1999Thousands of people celebrated in Manchester in 1999
The Chief Executive of Manchester United, David Gill, also blamed the trouble caused in Manchester city centre after Rangers' defeat in the UEFA Cup.
He said: "Well we looked at it and we were planning for that and then unfortunately some of the issues that came out of the UEFA cup game a week last Wednesday, meant that, in discussions with the two councils and GMP it was felt it was not appropriate to hold one.
"No doubt we will celebrate with our fans over the course of the summer months, we hope.""No doubt we will celebrate with our fans over the course of the summer months, we hope."
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), maintained the parade was off over safety concerns.Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), maintained the parade was off over safety concerns.
He said: "GMP's primary concern is the safety of the people of Greater Manchester and the fans of the club.He said: "GMP's primary concern is the safety of the people of Greater Manchester and the fans of the club.
"It is right and fitting that Manchester United's fans should have the chance to celebrate the club's success this year in the event of a win on Wednesday, but they should do this in safety.""It is right and fitting that Manchester United's fans should have the chance to celebrate the club's success this year in the event of a win on Wednesday, but they should do this in safety."
'Crowd crush''Crowd crush'
He also referred to the last homecoming event, which was held when Manchester United won the treble in 1999. He said there were serious safety issues raised and risks of a crowd crush. He also referred to the last homecoming event, which was held when Manchester United won the treble in 1999.
He said there were serious safety issues raised and risks of a crowd crush.
"Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world and we believe any event would attract more people than in 1999," he said."Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world and we believe any event would attract more people than in 1999," he said.
"We have agreed to work towards an event in the summer where those celebrations could take place in safety.""We have agreed to work towards an event in the summer where those celebrations could take place in safety."
Manchester and Trafford councils, who were involved in talks with police, have said they would support a parade.Manchester and Trafford councils, who were involved in talks with police, have said they would support a parade.
Writing on his blog, the leader of Manchester City Council Richard Leese said they had made it clear that it was a decision for Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police.Writing on his blog, the leader of Manchester City Council Richard Leese said they had made it clear that it was a decision for Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police.
He said: "If Manchester United wants a parade, then we are quite happy to do our bit.He said: "If Manchester United wants a parade, then we are quite happy to do our bit.
"We will have to close roads, put up some barriers and clean up afterwards. There is some cost involved but there are plenty of wide roads for a parade and it's not a major problem for us."We will have to close roads, put up some barriers and clean up afterwards. There is some cost involved but there are plenty of wide roads for a parade and it's not a major problem for us.
"We will do whatever we need to do.""We will do whatever we need to do."