OUR CAMPAIGNS
There are many initiatives we've worked on, put to Arsenal, and discussed in the wider football family. Here are just a few.
Pricing
The biggest issue facing most football fans across the country, and for those who go to watch The Arsenal, it's even more pressing. For too long our fans had to pay the highest prices in football to watch their team, and it's something we're fiercely passionate about. So when our Board announces 'inflation-based' increases to prices that are already pushed hard against the ceiling, naturally we will oppose news like this. We pressure to ensure no more increases are put the fans' way.
Away ticket pricing
We have been actively involved in the Football Supporters Federation's "Twenty's Plenty" campaign, to lower ticket prices for away fans travelling up and down the country. For too long football clubs and TV companies have treated away fans with contempt and more needs to be done to lend a helping hand.
In the summer of 2013 we joined with supporters' groups from other clubs in a march to Premier League Headquarters, protesting about the ever-rising price of tickets. That day, together with groups from Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs, and the FSF, we met with Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore. Following this meeting the Premier League instructed all teams that they had to put aside £200,000 a season for three seasons as a fund to help away supporters. Arsenal chose to allocate match-by-match price discounts with the fund they had to put aside. Overall this meant that following our campaigning, some £600,000 was made available to help Arsenal supporters.
Since then we've continued to be involved with groups from other clubs, protesting to highlight the cost of ticketing and for away fans. This effort paid off with the Premier League introducing a £30 cap on away tickets for all supporters - meaning that through our campaigning we have secured hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of savings for Arsenal supporters.
Safe standing
We previously held talks with the Safe Standing Roadshow and were prepared to arrange for them to visit the club and demonstrate how it works in Germany and how far the technology has advanced. Unfortunately the club weren't interested in this at the time.
Since then we have published an atmosphere survey with over 17,000 respondents and some 91.5% backed safe standing. With such a huge response and ever-growing popularity around the country with other clubs showing an interest, we again put the suggestion to Ivan Gazidis that Arsenal consider a trial at Emirates Stadium. Despite previously voicing support in the press, he told us that he didn't see enough call for this in the Premier League.
Subsequent developments with other clubs looking to trial safe standing (now in place at Celtic) has helped keep momentum going, and we continue to back calls for safe standing to be introduced.
Season ticket 'lite'
Arsenal is the only Premier League club to charge for a season ticket which includes (seven) cup games. While this has been the case for many years, the high ticket prices we're having to pay means that in the current economic climate many are either struggling to keep hold of their season ticket or reluctantly having to walk away because they can't afford it any more.
We therefore asked the club to consider introducing a two-tier season ticket; one which includes the seven cup credits, and one which covers league games only. The 'Lite' version would mean a price reduction of around 25% and unsurprisingly we've received tremendous support for this idea.
By offering this option it gives respite to those season ticket holders feeling financial strain, but allowing them to keep their much-loved season ticket. And for those who do give up cup credits, it will mean more match tickets become available to Silver and Red members.
Until now the club have refused to introduce this option as they fear that if fans give up cup credits from their season ticket, they may struggle to sell these tickets to other fans. However it's something we're still passionate about, giving fans more choice in how they support their club.
Season ticket repayment plan
We feel that the club should offer season ticket holders more options to pay for their season ticket. Until now the only option Arsenal have offered is through a loan with an external finance business. This means fans have to apply for a loan, go through credit checks and ultimately this encourages getting into debt and in our opinion this is irresponsible.
We originally suggested the option of a short-term repayment plan whereby the ticket can be paid for over three months (1 June, 1 July, 1 August). Naturally the club could add an administration fee to each payment for doing this, clawing back any threat of lost interest. We feel that keeping things simple and in-house (away from loan companies) is key.
By keeping such a scheme short term, it would ensure that Arsenal has all season ticket funds before the new season starts. Of course any season ticket holder who has take this option and not paid in time would have his/her season ticket deactivated until such time that it has been fully paid.
Since then, other clubs have realised the struggles many football fans have in affording to follow their team - and have introduced repayment plans, even monthly direct debit schemes with repayments split into 12 monthly instalments. This is something Arsenal need to do for their fans; it's not all about them clawing in 100% of the season ticket money on 1 June and coining in the interest.
Capture future generations of Arsenal fans
We put it to the club that with high prices and a club prioritising corporate fans over proper football supporters, there was a very real threat that tomorrow's hardcore support wouldn't be captured. With younger supporters priced out of coming to see the team it presented a huge threat that in ten to twenty years time our large hardcore following would be severely diminished. With no core support, ticket sales and revenue would suffer, as would the club. It is our continued aim that the club recognises the value of younger fans, and prices tickets for these supporters accordingly.
We suggested a dedicated, affordable section in a new Clock End where younger generations of fans could meet and create a better atmosphere. Arsenal did start to take this on board and introduced the Young Guns enclosure for 12-16 year olds, but take-up was poor due to over-zealous stewarding of the youngsters in these seats. Therefore more has to be done to help encourage younger generations of support to come to see The Arsenal.
Downgrade / Upgrade renewal options
The club are generally reluctant to allow downgrading of season tickets, but we'd like them to formally offer this option – of course assuming there is a seat available in that price band. Options could be offered when renewing, giving season ticket holders the chance to:
- Renew your current membership/seat
- Upgrade to a better seat
- Downgrade your seat
Downgrade from Gold to Silver membership
If a season ticket holder gives up his/her season ticket, the club should give them the option of buying a Silver membership. Say a season ticket holder of over 20 years can no longer afford their seat... it is hugely unfair that the club doesn't recognise this loyalty and will only let them go to the back of the queue for match tickets (Red membership) if they cannot afford their season ticket any more.
Bring back the Clock End
We commended the club’s decision to finally name the stands in Emirates Stadium, but want them to move this on a step further.
Since moving stadium, our fans have been split up around the ground and despite the ‘Red Section’ being allowed, the atmosphere inside the stadium is still poor.
We therefore suggest that the club allows a mix of season tickets and general admission in the lower tier of the Clock End, which would allow younger fans and other like-minded people to be able to sit together and create a great atmosphere. Of course cup considerations need to be taken into account but why not operate as we did at Highbury i.e. provide those season ticket holders with seats elsewhere, as and when the situation arises?
There is massive interest out there for a new Clock End to be formed, and by doing so, this would create a great deal of good feeling from fans towards the club. It would show the club really does care. Having a clock above the stand doesn’t make it the Clock End. Having fans there who want to recreate the old feeling of the Clock End most certainly does. And why not install a safe standing trial in this area to encourage an improvement in atmosphere?
Move away fans to the upper tier
The position of away fans in the ground is something we would like to see changed. Unbeknown to most fans, the club's original stadium plans actually had fans in the upper tier corner - much like other clubs do at their grounds.
They would be out of sight of the TV cameras. It’s disheartening to see away fans standing, creating atmosphere etc. in prime view, while our ‘Red Section’ is tucked away in the opposite corner. They’d be further from the pitch, making it harder for them to generate loud support for their team. By far the biggest benefit – it would provide thousands of cheaper seats for Arsenal fans
Yes there are many considerations to bear in mind… there would need to be work done on turnstile entry and exits, and there’s the safety issue of fans below. But if this is done by other clubs (Man United and Newcastle spring to mind) why can’t it be done here?
When we discussed this idea with the club we were told that this had been considered, but it was felt that it would cost a lot in the short term and provide hassle... and that the club "wasn't currently prepared to put up with short term pain for long term gain".
"The Wonder Of You"
This has never been, and never will be, an Arsenal 'anthem'. It has nothing to do with Arsenal and as much as the club tried to force this song upon us, the majority of fans in the stadium found it cringeworthy. We had so many messages from fans who wanted us to do something to get Arsenal to dump the song completely.
We managed to get the club to see sense in this, although they hate to admit defeat and still like to play the song earlier in the pre-match build up. We're happy that it's no longer the tune played when the players take to the field.
"Good Old Arsenal"
After feedback from our followers, we requested that the club replace Elvis with ‘Good Old Arsenal’ as the teams take to the pitch. It was done for the 125th anniversary celebrations against Everton but we feel it should be a permanent fixture. We know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s as close to an Arsenal anthem as we’re ever likely to get. It keeps ties with our traditions and it’s a proper Arsenal song.
‘Shout the names back’
Another campaign which brought us success. The club saw fit to steal the idea from Bayern Munich (where it did work) and apply it at our home games (where it certainly didn't). Many fans found it cringeworthy to the extreeme, and the club finally agreed to get rid.
Pricing
The biggest issue facing most football fans across the country, and for those who go to watch The Arsenal, it's even more pressing. For too long our fans had to pay the highest prices in football to watch their team, and it's something we're fiercely passionate about. So when our Board announces 'inflation-based' increases to prices that are already pushed hard against the ceiling, naturally we will oppose news like this. We pressure to ensure no more increases are put the fans' way.
Away ticket pricing
We have been actively involved in the Football Supporters Federation's "Twenty's Plenty" campaign, to lower ticket prices for away fans travelling up and down the country. For too long football clubs and TV companies have treated away fans with contempt and more needs to be done to lend a helping hand.
In the summer of 2013 we joined with supporters' groups from other clubs in a march to Premier League Headquarters, protesting about the ever-rising price of tickets. That day, together with groups from Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs, and the FSF, we met with Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore. Following this meeting the Premier League instructed all teams that they had to put aside £200,000 a season for three seasons as a fund to help away supporters. Arsenal chose to allocate match-by-match price discounts with the fund they had to put aside. Overall this meant that following our campaigning, some £600,000 was made available to help Arsenal supporters.
Since then we've continued to be involved with groups from other clubs, protesting to highlight the cost of ticketing and for away fans. This effort paid off with the Premier League introducing a £30 cap on away tickets for all supporters - meaning that through our campaigning we have secured hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of savings for Arsenal supporters.
Safe standing
We previously held talks with the Safe Standing Roadshow and were prepared to arrange for them to visit the club and demonstrate how it works in Germany and how far the technology has advanced. Unfortunately the club weren't interested in this at the time.
Since then we have published an atmosphere survey with over 17,000 respondents and some 91.5% backed safe standing. With such a huge response and ever-growing popularity around the country with other clubs showing an interest, we again put the suggestion to Ivan Gazidis that Arsenal consider a trial at Emirates Stadium. Despite previously voicing support in the press, he told us that he didn't see enough call for this in the Premier League.
Subsequent developments with other clubs looking to trial safe standing (now in place at Celtic) has helped keep momentum going, and we continue to back calls for safe standing to be introduced.
Season ticket 'lite'
Arsenal is the only Premier League club to charge for a season ticket which includes (seven) cup games. While this has been the case for many years, the high ticket prices we're having to pay means that in the current economic climate many are either struggling to keep hold of their season ticket or reluctantly having to walk away because they can't afford it any more.
We therefore asked the club to consider introducing a two-tier season ticket; one which includes the seven cup credits, and one which covers league games only. The 'Lite' version would mean a price reduction of around 25% and unsurprisingly we've received tremendous support for this idea.
By offering this option it gives respite to those season ticket holders feeling financial strain, but allowing them to keep their much-loved season ticket. And for those who do give up cup credits, it will mean more match tickets become available to Silver and Red members.
Until now the club have refused to introduce this option as they fear that if fans give up cup credits from their season ticket, they may struggle to sell these tickets to other fans. However it's something we're still passionate about, giving fans more choice in how they support their club.
Season ticket repayment plan
We feel that the club should offer season ticket holders more options to pay for their season ticket. Until now the only option Arsenal have offered is through a loan with an external finance business. This means fans have to apply for a loan, go through credit checks and ultimately this encourages getting into debt and in our opinion this is irresponsible.
We originally suggested the option of a short-term repayment plan whereby the ticket can be paid for over three months (1 June, 1 July, 1 August). Naturally the club could add an administration fee to each payment for doing this, clawing back any threat of lost interest. We feel that keeping things simple and in-house (away from loan companies) is key.
By keeping such a scheme short term, it would ensure that Arsenal has all season ticket funds before the new season starts. Of course any season ticket holder who has take this option and not paid in time would have his/her season ticket deactivated until such time that it has been fully paid.
Since then, other clubs have realised the struggles many football fans have in affording to follow their team - and have introduced repayment plans, even monthly direct debit schemes with repayments split into 12 monthly instalments. This is something Arsenal need to do for their fans; it's not all about them clawing in 100% of the season ticket money on 1 June and coining in the interest.
Capture future generations of Arsenal fans
We put it to the club that with high prices and a club prioritising corporate fans over proper football supporters, there was a very real threat that tomorrow's hardcore support wouldn't be captured. With younger supporters priced out of coming to see the team it presented a huge threat that in ten to twenty years time our large hardcore following would be severely diminished. With no core support, ticket sales and revenue would suffer, as would the club. It is our continued aim that the club recognises the value of younger fans, and prices tickets for these supporters accordingly.
We suggested a dedicated, affordable section in a new Clock End where younger generations of fans could meet and create a better atmosphere. Arsenal did start to take this on board and introduced the Young Guns enclosure for 12-16 year olds, but take-up was poor due to over-zealous stewarding of the youngsters in these seats. Therefore more has to be done to help encourage younger generations of support to come to see The Arsenal.
Downgrade / Upgrade renewal options
The club are generally reluctant to allow downgrading of season tickets, but we'd like them to formally offer this option – of course assuming there is a seat available in that price band. Options could be offered when renewing, giving season ticket holders the chance to:
- Renew your current membership/seat
- Upgrade to a better seat
- Downgrade your seat
Downgrade from Gold to Silver membership
If a season ticket holder gives up his/her season ticket, the club should give them the option of buying a Silver membership. Say a season ticket holder of over 20 years can no longer afford their seat... it is hugely unfair that the club doesn't recognise this loyalty and will only let them go to the back of the queue for match tickets (Red membership) if they cannot afford their season ticket any more.
Bring back the Clock End
We commended the club’s decision to finally name the stands in Emirates Stadium, but want them to move this on a step further.
Since moving stadium, our fans have been split up around the ground and despite the ‘Red Section’ being allowed, the atmosphere inside the stadium is still poor.
We therefore suggest that the club allows a mix of season tickets and general admission in the lower tier of the Clock End, which would allow younger fans and other like-minded people to be able to sit together and create a great atmosphere. Of course cup considerations need to be taken into account but why not operate as we did at Highbury i.e. provide those season ticket holders with seats elsewhere, as and when the situation arises?
There is massive interest out there for a new Clock End to be formed, and by doing so, this would create a great deal of good feeling from fans towards the club. It would show the club really does care. Having a clock above the stand doesn’t make it the Clock End. Having fans there who want to recreate the old feeling of the Clock End most certainly does. And why not install a safe standing trial in this area to encourage an improvement in atmosphere?
Move away fans to the upper tier
The position of away fans in the ground is something we would like to see changed. Unbeknown to most fans, the club's original stadium plans actually had fans in the upper tier corner - much like other clubs do at their grounds.
They would be out of sight of the TV cameras. It’s disheartening to see away fans standing, creating atmosphere etc. in prime view, while our ‘Red Section’ is tucked away in the opposite corner. They’d be further from the pitch, making it harder for them to generate loud support for their team. By far the biggest benefit – it would provide thousands of cheaper seats for Arsenal fans
Yes there are many considerations to bear in mind… there would need to be work done on turnstile entry and exits, and there’s the safety issue of fans below. But if this is done by other clubs (Man United and Newcastle spring to mind) why can’t it be done here?
When we discussed this idea with the club we were told that this had been considered, but it was felt that it would cost a lot in the short term and provide hassle... and that the club "wasn't currently prepared to put up with short term pain for long term gain".
"The Wonder Of You"
This has never been, and never will be, an Arsenal 'anthem'. It has nothing to do with Arsenal and as much as the club tried to force this song upon us, the majority of fans in the stadium found it cringeworthy. We had so many messages from fans who wanted us to do something to get Arsenal to dump the song completely.
We managed to get the club to see sense in this, although they hate to admit defeat and still like to play the song earlier in the pre-match build up. We're happy that it's no longer the tune played when the players take to the field.
"Good Old Arsenal"
After feedback from our followers, we requested that the club replace Elvis with ‘Good Old Arsenal’ as the teams take to the pitch. It was done for the 125th anniversary celebrations against Everton but we feel it should be a permanent fixture. We know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s as close to an Arsenal anthem as we’re ever likely to get. It keeps ties with our traditions and it’s a proper Arsenal song.
‘Shout the names back’
Another campaign which brought us success. The club saw fit to steal the idea from Bayern Munich (where it did work) and apply it at our home games (where it certainly didn't). Many fans found it cringeworthy to the extreeme, and the club finally agreed to get rid.