Super League: The penny has (finally) dropped
20 April 2021
The time has come. Finally, Arsenal fans realise that Stan Kroenke is bad news for Arsenal.
News of the new European Super League plans have seen condemnation across the board and of course we agree; the plans of the Greedy 6 Premier League clubs - together with their counterparts from other countries - are a disgrace. Not a lot else to say that hasn't been said already, with the vast majority of fans now finally on the same page.
Could more have been done?
Maybe, but maybe not, because once Kroenke had his feet under the table, we were more or less doomed. Blame David Dein for making the biggest mistake of his life in introducing Kroenke to the club. Blame our spineless, greedy Board members who initially opposed him but soon flipped as soon as they started smelling the pound notes. Blame those who (before the final compulsory hoovering up of small shareholders) sold their shares to Kroenke. Some campaigning against the Super League news actually sold to Kroenke. Go figure...
BUT...
A lot of fans now complaining, had the chance to speak out years ago. Had the chance to apply pressure, to make Kroenke uncomfortable, make him feel unwanted. They chose not to.
At the BSM we're proud that from the start of this group, we've spoken out, taken action, raised awareness and stuck to our beliefs that Kroenke was dangerous, that the Board and management running our club were (and still are) weak and incompetent.
We started this back in 2010 because there was no effective voice to challenge the club and its actions against loyal match going supporters. We have been unapologetic in ruffling feathers, in refusing to accept the club's lip service when they tried to get us onside, and in having to shame those running our club. We wanted the club to realise the importance of its core support, its working class roots, and continue to attract younger generations who will pay to follow them over land and sea (and Leicester) for decades to come.
Until our formation there was no real challenge. Publicising that you've written a letter to the club doesn't work. Writing a blog post doesn't work. Those in Highbury House literally smirk at such weakness and meekness. You need to get under their skin, make them uncomfortable, make them realise they can't keep you onside with the promise of a meeting and a biscuit. Many fell for the ‘keep em sweet and they’ll keep schtum’ approach, not us.
What did we do?
We created a supporters group with balls. We got on the radio, on the television, we got in the national press. We appeared on podcasts, in blogs. We created a website, we created artwork and social posts to get attention. We paid for a massive billboard advert which sat outside the stadium for 8 weeks (and massively pissed off Ivan Gazidis). We ran the biggest surveys ever seen among the Arsenal fanbase and discussed with the club to try and make them see what fans actually felt. We ran the biggest physical protests ever seen at Arsenal, with thousands joining us to voice their opinion of Kroenke and the Board. We joined with groups from other clubs to hold physical protests over ticket pricing. We marched to the Premier League with them and met with them, forcing action on away ticket prices. We had over 25,000 fans sign up to be part of the BSM. We attended Arsenal AGMs and handed out leaflets which questioned our Board. We created Stan Kroenke bank notes which went everywhere. All to raise awareness that Kroenke and our Board were no good... that they absolutely do not give a toss about our core, loyal, match going support.
The time has come. Finally, Arsenal fans realise that Stan Kroenke is bad news for Arsenal.
News of the new European Super League plans have seen condemnation across the board and of course we agree; the plans of the Greedy 6 Premier League clubs - together with their counterparts from other countries - are a disgrace. Not a lot else to say that hasn't been said already, with the vast majority of fans now finally on the same page.
Could more have been done?
Maybe, but maybe not, because once Kroenke had his feet under the table, we were more or less doomed. Blame David Dein for making the biggest mistake of his life in introducing Kroenke to the club. Blame our spineless, greedy Board members who initially opposed him but soon flipped as soon as they started smelling the pound notes. Blame those who (before the final compulsory hoovering up of small shareholders) sold their shares to Kroenke. Some campaigning against the Super League news actually sold to Kroenke. Go figure...
BUT...
A lot of fans now complaining, had the chance to speak out years ago. Had the chance to apply pressure, to make Kroenke uncomfortable, make him feel unwanted. They chose not to.
At the BSM we're proud that from the start of this group, we've spoken out, taken action, raised awareness and stuck to our beliefs that Kroenke was dangerous, that the Board and management running our club were (and still are) weak and incompetent.
We started this back in 2010 because there was no effective voice to challenge the club and its actions against loyal match going supporters. We have been unapologetic in ruffling feathers, in refusing to accept the club's lip service when they tried to get us onside, and in having to shame those running our club. We wanted the club to realise the importance of its core support, its working class roots, and continue to attract younger generations who will pay to follow them over land and sea (and Leicester) for decades to come.
Until our formation there was no real challenge. Publicising that you've written a letter to the club doesn't work. Writing a blog post doesn't work. Those in Highbury House literally smirk at such weakness and meekness. You need to get under their skin, make them uncomfortable, make them realise they can't keep you onside with the promise of a meeting and a biscuit. Many fell for the ‘keep em sweet and they’ll keep schtum’ approach, not us.
What did we do?
We created a supporters group with balls. We got on the radio, on the television, we got in the national press. We appeared on podcasts, in blogs. We created a website, we created artwork and social posts to get attention. We paid for a massive billboard advert which sat outside the stadium for 8 weeks (and massively pissed off Ivan Gazidis). We ran the biggest surveys ever seen among the Arsenal fanbase and discussed with the club to try and make them see what fans actually felt. We ran the biggest physical protests ever seen at Arsenal, with thousands joining us to voice their opinion of Kroenke and the Board. We joined with groups from other clubs to hold physical protests over ticket pricing. We marched to the Premier League with them and met with them, forcing action on away ticket prices. We had over 25,000 fans sign up to be part of the BSM. We attended Arsenal AGMs and handed out leaflets which questioned our Board. We created Stan Kroenke bank notes which went everywhere. All to raise awareness that Kroenke and our Board were no good... that they absolutely do not give a toss about our core, loyal, match going support.
The state of the Arsenal fanbase
At every step of the way, we have had to put up with Arsenal fans who disagreed with us. Disagreed with our approach. "We don't wash our dirty linen in public" ... "You're bringing shame on our club" blah blah. Happy to accept cheaper tickets through our actions, but hated what we were about. Confused? You bet.
We have had to tolerate endless abuse and criticism for years, and we still do. We've had threats of physical violence, threats against our family members, we've had abuse while holding protests, had people throw coins at us and the people on our protests, we've had people spit at us. While campaigning for action which would benefit them as supporters. Despite not actively protesting for years, even as recent as a few months ago we had a prominent Arsenal Twitter account posting and spreading his (completely incorrect) opinions of our former protests and the people on those protests, as fact.
You'd think a combined force would be best. Unity in the Arsenal fanbase? No chance. All along, we have tried to work with other groups, bloggers, people with followings and so on. A stronger, united force to challenge of course is much better than a weak, fractured approach. We've done some great work jointly with others, while certain groups refused to publicly back protests... or even refused to discuss them. The leader of one group even went on the offensive against us on podcasts because he didn't like what we were doing.
Which goes right back to why this group came about. Our support, our supporters groups are too weak. Too scared to physically take to the streets and confront those pissing on us from a great height. Too embarrassed to publicly admit that things aren't right at the club. And those running our club love that, because they know they can continue unchallenged.
All along, we warned about Kroenke. We've done so for over 10 years. Many who abused and opposed us are now up in arms at the Super League news. Oh the irony. You reap what you sow.
What now?
Well quite rightly, everyone is now (FINALLY) on the same page. Greed at the very highest level in football is bad for our game.
Some of us have family ties with The Arsenal going back decades, some over a hundred years. We've grown up as part of Arsenal supporting families, and our children are doing the same. Some have started supporting The Arsenal more recently and like most of us, love what the club claims to be about - values, class and tradition. What Stan Kroenke has done 100% shits all over every part of this. He doesn't care about our history or our loyal supporters. He cares about how much money he can milk from this club, and nothing else.
Media types and corrupt mobs like UEFA have slagged off the Super League plans, from the very top of Mount Hypocrite given what their organisations have done to shit on match going supporters for nigh on 30 years. Supporters groups have opposed the plans with many speaking out, and the AST has appointed itself as the official spokesman/woman/child for Arsenal fans. There was a mini protest outside Emirates Stadium last night, and another is planned for Friday.
We've been asked if we are going to arrange another protest but our answer is no. We have done it time and time again, for years on end, and have had fans of our own club give us diabolical abuse for doing so, only to now realise that we were right all along. While we will support protests on this and will add to the noise where possible, we have finished trying to lead the charge.
All that's happening now is noise and pressure from every angle. No one group or TV channel or celebrity or former player will force a change. Collaborative noise will make these club owners see the hatred and division they've caused, but will they care? We shall see. Only decisive action from the very highest level has any chance of impact, so it's over to governments here and abroad to try and make the difference.
As ever, football without the fans is nothing.
At every step of the way, we have had to put up with Arsenal fans who disagreed with us. Disagreed with our approach. "We don't wash our dirty linen in public" ... "You're bringing shame on our club" blah blah. Happy to accept cheaper tickets through our actions, but hated what we were about. Confused? You bet.
We have had to tolerate endless abuse and criticism for years, and we still do. We've had threats of physical violence, threats against our family members, we've had abuse while holding protests, had people throw coins at us and the people on our protests, we've had people spit at us. While campaigning for action which would benefit them as supporters. Despite not actively protesting for years, even as recent as a few months ago we had a prominent Arsenal Twitter account posting and spreading his (completely incorrect) opinions of our former protests and the people on those protests, as fact.
You'd think a combined force would be best. Unity in the Arsenal fanbase? No chance. All along, we have tried to work with other groups, bloggers, people with followings and so on. A stronger, united force to challenge of course is much better than a weak, fractured approach. We've done some great work jointly with others, while certain groups refused to publicly back protests... or even refused to discuss them. The leader of one group even went on the offensive against us on podcasts because he didn't like what we were doing.
Which goes right back to why this group came about. Our support, our supporters groups are too weak. Too scared to physically take to the streets and confront those pissing on us from a great height. Too embarrassed to publicly admit that things aren't right at the club. And those running our club love that, because they know they can continue unchallenged.
All along, we warned about Kroenke. We've done so for over 10 years. Many who abused and opposed us are now up in arms at the Super League news. Oh the irony. You reap what you sow.
What now?
Well quite rightly, everyone is now (FINALLY) on the same page. Greed at the very highest level in football is bad for our game.
Some of us have family ties with The Arsenal going back decades, some over a hundred years. We've grown up as part of Arsenal supporting families, and our children are doing the same. Some have started supporting The Arsenal more recently and like most of us, love what the club claims to be about - values, class and tradition. What Stan Kroenke has done 100% shits all over every part of this. He doesn't care about our history or our loyal supporters. He cares about how much money he can milk from this club, and nothing else.
Media types and corrupt mobs like UEFA have slagged off the Super League plans, from the very top of Mount Hypocrite given what their organisations have done to shit on match going supporters for nigh on 30 years. Supporters groups have opposed the plans with many speaking out, and the AST has appointed itself as the official spokesman/woman/child for Arsenal fans. There was a mini protest outside Emirates Stadium last night, and another is planned for Friday.
We've been asked if we are going to arrange another protest but our answer is no. We have done it time and time again, for years on end, and have had fans of our own club give us diabolical abuse for doing so, only to now realise that we were right all along. While we will support protests on this and will add to the noise where possible, we have finished trying to lead the charge.
All that's happening now is noise and pressure from every angle. No one group or TV channel or celebrity or former player will force a change. Collaborative noise will make these club owners see the hatred and division they've caused, but will they care? We shall see. Only decisive action from the very highest level has any chance of impact, so it's over to governments here and abroad to try and make the difference.
As ever, football without the fans is nothing.
