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AISA's 'attack' on the BSM: answering the lies

16/10/2014

12 Comments

 
On 16 October, Arsenal Fan TV released their latest instalment of 'The Big Arsenal Discussion' entitled "Ticket Prices & Are Supporters Groups Unified?". On the panel for this broadcast was a leader and founding member of the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association (AISA), Paul Matz. You can see this video by clicking here.

After watching this video I felt a response was required, as Matz made a number of comments about the Black Scarf Movement which are flat out untrue. So in the interests of fairness it's only right that we get to set the record straight.

When questioned on AISA's apparent reluctance to appear in the media and engage with supporters, Paul admitted that AISA recognised that their media work is lacking, but it was because AISA is a "voluntary organisation" and didn't get as much time to do anything on this front. What I would say is that the AST and BSM are also voluntary organisations, with no paid committee members - it's just that we put in the required effort in terms of marketing and communications.

He went on to add that AISA has 11,000 members and ran an annual survey (for the record which was left open for four months) which attracted 1,500 responses. At 7:23 Matz declares "We are the largest Arsenal supporters' organisation" which is incorrect. The BSM now has over 19,000 members and has around 40,000 followers across social media, compared to AISA's 600 or so followers. Also in contrast our summer survey this year received 11,543 responses.

At 7:43 Paul states "My view is that the BSM only came into existence because of the playing performance, not because of anything to do with ticket prices or anything else... and I can go into that if you want to. I know that they don't see that as their main objective now, but if Arsenal had been winning trophies at the Emirates Stadium, the BSM would have never come into existence".

A truly shocking lie. Anyone who's followed us since our inception at the end of 2009 will know that our focus is nothing to do with what happens on the pitch; we came about because a growing number of fans were feeling disillusioned with, disenfranchised from, and completely taken for granted by the club. That their loyalty was being ignored through high ticket prices, from the sterile stadium atmosphere, from a Board out of touch with fans, and so on.

I would assume that Paul is very much aware of the background to the BSM, but has tried to undermine it. Because another key reason why we were set up is that large numbers of fans back then felt they had no voice; that no existing supporters' group properly represented them. That there was no organisation willing to stand up and say it like it is. The comments we received were that the groups and forums back then simply went along with Arsenal's 'lip service'.

Matz then talks about price rises at Highbury and that fans didn't complain because we were winning trophies. Not entirely true as I can recall many conversations in the Clock End about prices going up, how bad it was and what price would force fans to walk away.

On 18:35 Matz goes on "Producing leaflets comparing us to Bayern Munich. Nice leaflet, but  you know, we're in different leagues and different circumstances". I agree, it was a "nice leaflet" but to dismiss it in such a way, completely ignoring the context, is poor. Many will remember that particular handout, which we produced for the 2013 Arsenal AGM. Based on Top Trumps cards, it stated that Ivan Gazidis had (on more than one occasion) used Bayern Munich as a barometer, comparing us with them... so we ran a true comparison. What we also said was that if we really wanted to emulate the success of Bayern Munich, then change was needed at boardroom level - with true Arsenal men coming on board, including individuals who'd actually played for the club.

Overall as a marketing tool to raise awareness the handout was very successful. It achieved nationwide press coverage and was all over social media for the following few days. Feedback was extremely positive so for Matz to dismiss it and ignore the key messages is either sour grapes or complete ignorance.

Around the 22:40 mark, again Paul mentions price rises at Highbury and states "You didn't say a word, BSM didn't say a word, nobody said a word". Correct the BSM didn't say a word, because we didn't exist back then. What I do know is that AISA sure as hell didn't say a word, and it was this silence from a group apparently campaigning for fans that led to us coming together.

To give this article some overall context, we were originally invited to take part in this video together with representatives from other Arsenal supporters' groups. We were then informed that Paul Matz wanted to appear on the show as a sole supporters' group representative - because he didn't want it to turn into an argument with bitching back and forth. So he took this opportunity, unopposed, to have a fair few digs at the BSM. I feel that a leading figure of AISA doing such a thing is beyond poor. He may plead innocence and say that was his honest view, but I'm not buying it for a second. He knew damn well what he was doing.

Closing this up, I'd say that the BSM since forming at the end of 2009 has gone through a lot of effort (which those running the group have contributed in their spare time) to raise awareness of supporters' issues. Our marketing and communications have been designed to get people to sit up and take notice; sure some may not like our forthright style but to become the largest Arsenal supporters' group in such a short space of time suggests our message resonates with fans around the country. In fact we are recognised by the key supporters' associations in England and we're in discussions with groups at other clubs, who want to work with us on joint campaigns to tackle the greed which is taking over our game.

What are we about? A better deal for fans - because without the fans, football is nothing.

The BSM: up front for fans of The Arsenal.

Up The Gunners.

'Highbury Harold'
12 Comments
Anon
16/10/2014 04:43:07 pm

There are people with info on Matz that would destroy his position at AISA. He would do well to issue you an apology quickly because there are people that want this ego maniac outed and are waiting for the right chance.

Reply
Bob Ajob
16/10/2014 05:00:09 pm

What a great response. I'll be sure to watch the fat man inaction on the video. Wreaks of someone who is desperate and losing members.

Never even heard of AISA to be fair.

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She wore link
16/10/2014 08:14:03 pm

At a time were everyone has got together to put out a statement over the london living wage this is at best bad timing at best. If AISA had a strong voice for the fans the BSM may not of been formed. The reason why AISA refuse to protest over ticket prices is due to them being set up by the club, independent my arsenal. Paul should really do himself a favour and stay away from videos and podcasts, it only makes him looks clueless and out of touch.

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John
16/10/2014 09:19:02 pm

BSM is truly pathetic. While you set up and started off with good intentions, your group has reached a point where it's full of a bunch of egotistical, condescending bully boys, attention seekers who want to tramp on other people constantly to make themselves feel important.

It's a cult full of sad individuals.

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Highbury Harold
16/10/2014 10:09:34 pm

Thanks for your comments, Paul.

Just to correct you on some of it though... we want to "tramp" on other people constantly do we? Not actually true.

We're straight talkers; we say it like it is so if something needs addressing we won't skirt around the issue. If someone isn't doing what they should, we'll say it. If someone tells lies about us in a poxy smear campaign, we'll pull them up on it.

There are other groups we rate and get along with, have plenty of dialogue with and are working with. Do we "tramp" on these to make ourselves feel important? No.

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omen
16/10/2014 10:03:40 pm

Think this is ludicrous, especially given that he wanted to be the sole person interviewed across the different supporter groups and the statements are completely untrue from my perspective. Didnt expect anything else from AISA though to be honest

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Gunners in Arms link
16/10/2014 10:48:38 pm

Well said and well defended! In My opinion I would choose ANY of the fan groups over the AISA, they are not there for the fans at all and have never been from what I can work out. The reason I follow the BSM is because they listen, they might not agree with every opinion but they listen to what fans want. Can't remember the last time the AISA stepped up, they have no social media presence, they don't understand the issues the fans discuss everyday for that reason. You surpass them on every level, just keep doing what you do for the fans and ignore the people who have no clue.

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John
17/10/2014 12:54:24 am

I'm not Paul. I never heard of Paul or AISA prior to the video and frankly I couldn't care less about their actions because it doesn't bother me. They want to do things on the downlow. Let them. I highly doubt they'll get any success but keeping a low figure is better than constant nagging.

BSM is a large movement and your views get spread around quickly. The constant bitching between supporters group is what gets on my nerves and surely defeats the point of these "institutions"

Reply
Barrybarman
17/10/2014 07:07:09 am

I met several of the guys behind the BSM last season when they came to watch the Fulham away match in my pub in Westminster after getting off the barge...and I have to say that talking to them that day..they opened my eyes and I now fully agree with a lot of their principles...football is rapidly losing its soul in this country and Arsenal are 1 of the worst offenders..

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Tom simmons link
17/10/2014 06:55:54 pm

Well said, the BSM are the top for getting the supporters points across, to be totally honest I've never heard of AISA which feels strange because I read a lot of blogs and follow a lot of them on twitter no one mentions AISA so they can't be upto that much.

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David
22/1/2015 10:46:27 pm

All very sad. I started going in 1959 and I gave up my season ticket at the end of 2012-13 season for reasons which I cited on this website and on the onlinegooner forum. Nothing to do with my ability to fund it, but everything to do with what's wrong with corporate football. Nothing has changed since then and never will. You can have as many protest groups as you want but it will have no effect. Arsenal don't miss my £1300 or whatever it is now as my seat has no doubt been filled by some Japanese tourist who'll spend much more in the club shop than I ever would. 'My' Arsenal disappeared some years ago and that's the Arsenal I shall remember. I watch lower league and non-league football now and am enjoying myself again. It will go the same way, of course, but for now, life's good. No more frustration, disillusionment and the desperate feeling that your own club is shafting you.

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Dale link
30/4/2016 11:33:25 am

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