BSM and other Arsenal Fan Groups request the meeting Stan Kroenke promised when taking control of Arsenal
10 October 2013
In April 2011 Stan Kroenke, via his company KSE Inc, made a formal takeover offer for Arsenal Holdings PLC.
As part of this process he was required to publish legal documents that set out his plans for running the club so that all shareholders could understand how he would operate, and for some make a very big decision on whether to sell their shares to his company.
During this process, and following requests from supporters who stressed the community and custodianship aspect of owning Arsenal, Mr Kroneke made a specific commitment to meet personally with Arsenal supporters and Supporters’ Groups.
Despite this commitment, and despite many requests, after more than two years there have not been any meetings held personally by Mr Kroenke.
Recently the four main supporters groups at Arsenal came together to make a formal written request to Mr Kroenke that he holds a meeting. We were one of the groups involved, and supported this approach.
Mr Kroenke has recently stated that he spends 30 to 40 days a year on Arsenal business so we remain hopeful that he will find a small amount of time to meet this extremely important commitment, and ideally this will be at the time of Arsenal’s Annual General Meeting when he will be in London.
A copy of the request to Mr Kroenke is set out here, and shown below
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16 September 2013
Dear Mr Kroenke
We are writing to you as representatives of the major supporter groups of Arsenal Football Club. While we all have different remits and ways of working, we share a collective passion for Arsenal and care deeply for its future success.
All of our organisations are run by people who volunteer their time to provide forums and structures that both represent Arsenal fans and work to make Arsenal a stronger club.
Supporters are integral to the success of any football club and if Arsenal are to move forward to greater success it will be by ensuring that fans feel valued by the club and have a sense of belonging.
We believe it is important that there is an opportunity for occasional dialogue directly with you, as majority owner of Arsenal. This is both so we can report to you the main issues that our members have asked us put forward, and also to allow you to convey to us your vision and plans for the club which we can then report
back to our wider memberships and fans more generally.
During the takeover process you did make a welcome commitment in the formal offer document that you saw these functions as important:
“Mr Kroenke has made it a priority to meet with supporters and fan groups in formal and informal settings. He recognises that fans are at the heart of the Club. Their opinions and involvement are important to him. Mr Kroenke fully expects himself, the Arsenal Directors and Club executives to continue to engage with supporters for the long-term good of the Club”.
We hope that in the weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, or during the period of the AGM itself, you will find time to fulfil your commitment and personally meet with representatives of the undersigned supporter groups. We would very much welcome the chance to open a positive and mutually beneficial dialogue.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA)
Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST)
Black Scarf Movement (BSM)
REDaction
In April 2011 Stan Kroenke, via his company KSE Inc, made a formal takeover offer for Arsenal Holdings PLC.
As part of this process he was required to publish legal documents that set out his plans for running the club so that all shareholders could understand how he would operate, and for some make a very big decision on whether to sell their shares to his company.
During this process, and following requests from supporters who stressed the community and custodianship aspect of owning Arsenal, Mr Kroneke made a specific commitment to meet personally with Arsenal supporters and Supporters’ Groups.
Despite this commitment, and despite many requests, after more than two years there have not been any meetings held personally by Mr Kroenke.
Recently the four main supporters groups at Arsenal came together to make a formal written request to Mr Kroenke that he holds a meeting. We were one of the groups involved, and supported this approach.
Mr Kroenke has recently stated that he spends 30 to 40 days a year on Arsenal business so we remain hopeful that he will find a small amount of time to meet this extremely important commitment, and ideally this will be at the time of Arsenal’s Annual General Meeting when he will be in London.
A copy of the request to Mr Kroenke is set out here, and shown below
-----------------------------------------------
16 September 2013
Dear Mr Kroenke
We are writing to you as representatives of the major supporter groups of Arsenal Football Club. While we all have different remits and ways of working, we share a collective passion for Arsenal and care deeply for its future success.
All of our organisations are run by people who volunteer their time to provide forums and structures that both represent Arsenal fans and work to make Arsenal a stronger club.
Supporters are integral to the success of any football club and if Arsenal are to move forward to greater success it will be by ensuring that fans feel valued by the club and have a sense of belonging.
We believe it is important that there is an opportunity for occasional dialogue directly with you, as majority owner of Arsenal. This is both so we can report to you the main issues that our members have asked us put forward, and also to allow you to convey to us your vision and plans for the club which we can then report
back to our wider memberships and fans more generally.
During the takeover process you did make a welcome commitment in the formal offer document that you saw these functions as important:
“Mr Kroenke has made it a priority to meet with supporters and fan groups in formal and informal settings. He recognises that fans are at the heart of the Club. Their opinions and involvement are important to him. Mr Kroenke fully expects himself, the Arsenal Directors and Club executives to continue to engage with supporters for the long-term good of the Club”.
We hope that in the weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, or during the period of the AGM itself, you will find time to fulfil your commitment and personally meet with representatives of the undersigned supporter groups. We would very much welcome the chance to open a positive and mutually beneficial dialogue.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA)
Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST)
Black Scarf Movement (BSM)
REDaction
