From there, Keith connected with scores of other hardcore Reds. Strong bonds quickly formed, eventually leading to talk of creating an officially recognised supporters’ group.
“You go on other social media platforms and sometimes the conversations are not the most pleasant or friendly, but in our community, we are family,” adds deputy contact Issa, left of Keith in the photo, who is based in Chicago. “We know each other well, and we welcome any new member. We are now on the way to 300 official registered members who own an official Devils collectible.”
More than 94,000 fans are part of the United community on Discord, with the Devils Collectors’ group just one of many channels it hosts. Devils Collectors are the first to form an official fan group, but Keith and Issa – co-founders of the supporters’ club alongside Gerry from Ireland and Mark from Manchester – believe they won’t be the last.
“Initially, it was just that we wanted to have a supporters’ club to be part of the club that we love, and have that connection,” acknowledges Issa. “But on reflection, now it is huge and I feel like it is a step in a direction that lots of other clubs may follow… If you asked me 30 years ago: ‘Could you imagine a place that you can connect with every single person in the world around United and share your passion and discuss football 24/7?’ I would have said that’s a dreamland, you know?”
