URBAN

Exclusive: amber from the barmy army talks
about her experience during away days
Manchester United women’s fan group
the Barmy Army has grown massively in
less than two years. Matt Johnson speaks
to Barmy Army member, Amber Ricketts
about her experiences of away days.
How long have you been regularly going
to games for?
I have been a season ticket holder for
Manchester United’s men’s team since
2012. Since the women’s team formed I
have been going to as many games as I
can.
What made you join the Barmy Army?
The boss, Natalie Burrell, asked if I would
like to join her and the Barmy Army on
an away trip to Reading in the FA Cup
last season and from that trip I made
amazing friends and I have established
myself as part of the family.
What do you enjoy most about away
days?
I love the noise and the atmosphere we
create. I love the fact I am walking past
Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool fans with a
United shirt on. We are loud, proud and
we leave our mark.
Which have been your least favourite
away days?
The loss against West Ham was the
worst. Everyone was so deflated on the
coach ride coming home. We lost because
of our own naivety and amateur
mistakes. Thankfully, the Chelsea versus
Everton game was called off thus making
it the perfect chance to get our name
imprinted on that fourth spot.
Are there any grounds that you are
looking forward to visit?
Tranmere, because it is where Liverpool
play and I am desperate for a Liverpool
away game. Arsenal’s ground at Boreham
Wood is also in my top list because I have
heard plenty of good reviews about it. To
be honest, I am looking forward to visiting
all of the grounds where Manchester
United women are set to play.
If you would like to find out more about
the Barmy Army, you can follow them on
Twitter and Instagram @barmyarmymuwfc.
For away travel, follow @BarmyArmy-
TRAVEL on Twitter
Which away days have you particularly
enjoyed?
I know we lost, but Reading away was
a great time mainly because I felt like I
belonged to that group of people. Spurs
away in the Championship last year was
pretty good because of the amount of
goals we scored.
Photo by Barmy Army
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