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Manchester United icons open new hotel opposite Old Trafford Stadium

Xinhua, March 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

A team of former football players from Manchester United (MUFC) scored a winner Monday, by opening a new hotel complex directly opposite the club's world famous stadium at Old Trafford.

MUFC icons, brothers Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, have been given the keys to Hotel Football after building work was completed.

The hotel opened its doors on Monday to fans, business customers, and tourists.

The hotel was conceived and designed by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, with their three team mates joining as board members.

Hundreds of Manchester United fans were given a sneak preview at the weekend when the doors were open at a basement bar, known as the Old Trafford Supporters Club. The unanimous result from fans was the hotel is a success.

The hotel owners, once a star line up known as the Class of 92, mingled with supporters at the new enterprise.

The hotel has 133 bedrooms, a 180-seat restaurant, a mezzanine lounge, and a 330-seat function room. There is even a football pitch and event space on the roof of the 12-storey building.

Hotel Football is expected to be a draw for fans, either staying at the hotel on match days, or enjoying its hospitality.

Fans will pay just one pound (about 1.54 U.S. dollars) to enter the 'Supporters Club' on match days with the proceeds going to local charities.

There will also be a range of hospitality packages including a 62- U.S.-dollar 'Players' Lounge Matchday Experience' deal and a 153- U.S.-dollar package which includes a bucket of beer on arrival, three-course meal, complimentary wine and beer, a match-day program, entertainment and an appearance by a celebrity.

Neville said: "We had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve here and it is fantastic to see that vision brought to life."

Meanwhile, work has just started in rival city Liverpool on the conversion of a former city council headquarters into a hotel complex themed on one of the most famous managers in British footballing history, Bill Shankly. The 20-million-pound hotel will open its doors in just six months, in time for the start of the 2015-2016 football season, and fans from around the world are already queuing up to book rooms for match days. Endit