THANK the Lord someone has finally stood up to the people who have jumped on the football bandwagon.

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has hit out at the section of the Old Trafford audience for finding socialising and "eating prawn sandwiches" at the match more of a priority than vocally encouraging the team.

I have never been fortunate enough to have attended a league match at Old Trafford but I can remember the time when the side were the ultimate sleeping giant.

The Theatre of Dreams is now packed for every game despite increasing the capacity to 68,000 but I can remember a time when there were a few gaps on the terraces.

United have become the embodiment of how football has changed over the last ten years. The love of Edwards, Charlton, Law and Best has been replaced by an ever-faithful relationship with the worship of Mammon.

Their merchandising arm has gone bonkers. I even spotted a bottle of Manchester United tomato sauce the other day while wrestling with a difficult-to-handle trolley in the supermarket.

Only the other week, one member of staff at United congratulated the club on organising an open day, where the nearest the young fans got to their heroes was about ten yards.

He said that the club had to realise that these people were "the corporate box holders of tomorrow."

The majority would have turned up to the event at the training ground because they have virtually no chance of either obtaining or affording a regular seat at the game.

Keane realises that the team need vocal support if their considerable achievements of the last few years are to be continued.

I also detect a bit of sympathy for the regular punters coming from the skipper and, considering how much money he earns, that is pleasing.

Perhaps the money grabbers can take heed of his arguments and give the game back to those fans who stayed loyal in the dark days.