The votes are now in and the winning banner design has been chosen.

The design was originally portrayed in a black background, but due to the large number of black banners already on the tier, a secondary vote took place to decide on the background colour and the inclusion of the 3 stars. The winning design is shown.

"Manchester is My Heaven" is a direct quote from Sir Matt Busby, said to have been his response when offered the managers job at Real Madrid.

This banner will be the longest banner made by SEF, measuring in at 25.5metres. It will ensure that we have no visible gaps at the front of the Stretford End.

The banner is now been produced and will be in place for the home game against Burnley.

The banner has cost SEF £450 and as a result, it is vital that we continue to raise funds for future banners.

All banners are funded by YOU the fans and all donations towards future banners are welcomed (See  donation page for details).

SEF have been gathering together YOUR design ideas for a new banner to take pride and place on the front of The Stretford End. We have now narrowed ideas down to three designs and SEF members are now encouraged to vote on what design they would like to have made.

The vote is open to any member who has previously made a financial donation towards the banners.

Anyone who is not a member, but would like to make a financial donation towards the banners and become a member, can donate through paypal by sending a paypal donation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through the methods on the donation page.

This new banner is likely to replace the existing FEAR banner and will possiby be taken from the edge of The Flowers Of Manchester banner to the edge of the Scoreboard (At the North Stand quadrant). As a result, the banner is likely to cost in the region of £650 to make including all fire proofing which is required, so all donations are gratefully received.

Voting will last for 7 days and we will then annouce the winning design here

Option One-  MAKING HISTORY, NOT LIVING IN IT (Mock up shows only part wording) -

Option Two - Manchester Is My Heaven (Sir Matt Busby Quote)

Option Three - Hated, Adored, But Never Ignored (Features MUFC Stickman)

To vote please visit the SEF Forum here

After organising games in London and Moscow during the Euro 2008 qualifiers between England and Russia and for the Champion’s League final, the British Council is providing another opportunity for football fans to come together and share their common passion. Guests of honour at Tuesday’s match will be former Manchester United players David May and Clayton Blackmore who will be joined by representatives from Kick it Out and Marketing Manchester – who are leading Manchester’s bid for England’s 2018 World Cup campaign.

Before the game, former Manchester United player Andy Richie will lead a training session for local students from St Joseph’s RC High School and Wright Robinson College, who are partnered with schools in Russia as part of the British Council’s Dreams and Teams programme. Working with local schools is a key part of the Football Unites project and helps to build trust and understanding between different cultures.

Football Unites is a partnership between the British Council and the Russian Football Union, and supporters’ clubs in both countries have been instrumental in making the project a success, with the Stretford End Flags organising the game in Manchester.

Oleg Eletskiy, Head of Marketing and Communications for the British Council in Moscow said: "The aim of Football Unites is to use football to create partnerships and friendships between the UK and Russia. We are working with supporters to demonstrate that bringing fans together can produce very positive and powerful messaging. Hopefully the game between the Moscow and Manchester fans will be as entertaining as the action on the pitch between the teams at Old Trafford."

Cantona himself might not be there (But maybe he will, who knows with Eric), but back in 1994 Liverpool fans asked us "To come back with Cantona and sing OOH ARH when we have won 18".

Number 18's sat nicely in the cabinet and tomorrow we pay our first visit to Anfield since number 18's arrival.

Follow the link from Rednews and take your own Cantona mask

http://rapidshare.com/files/297258975/Ericmask-rednews.co.uk.pdf

Print off as many as you want, plaster the place, pass to your mates or even stick to your Beachball!!!!

OOH ARH CANTONA!