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THAT Top Trumps flyer

17/10/2013

 
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In short, it's "We've done a great job, but how can we push on?".

By now you'll have seen or read that we handed out flyers to attendees at today's AGM and as word spread to social networking sites, a lot of chat, debate, praise, moaning and the usual natter followed. Of course, we have our detractors who refuse to believe or understand what we're about and we knew they'd try to pick holes in the flyer, and true to form out they came. But for those who want to know a bit more about the thinking behind it, here goes.

Why Bayern?
People have asked why we're comparing ourselves to Bayern Munich. They receive funding from others, they didn't have to pay for their stadium, they're this, they're that!

Well as a memory refresher and for those who weren't around back then, when we were looking to move stadium, on more than one occasion our Board used the selling point that moving to a bigger ground would enable us to move up to the level of a "European Super Club". The term was held up there as the barometer; this is where we want to be and where we should be.

In more recent times, our Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has used Bayern Munich as a barometer, showcasing them as a leader in European football. He's done so on more than one occasion. So if our Chief Exec is putting them up there as a model club, let's compare ourselves and see the gaps we need to close.

We're top of the league!
Correct, we are top of the league. Great, isn't it? But my advice would be to read the contents of the flyer. And as we've always said, at the BSM our focus isn't what takes place on the pitch. It's how the club is run and how the club treats its core support.

So yes it's fantastic we're finally getting a team that looks like it could challenge, this isn't what our group is focused on. We'd much rather get behind the team at matches thanks (come to the Chelsea Capital One Cup game and you'll see that), while outside of matches there are issues that we're looking at.

Stop moaning!
Again I'd say read the contents of this flyer. It's not a moan, it's actually saying what a great job we've done in getting to where we are, but how do we move on? How do we look forward and push towards being one of these European 'Super Clubs'?

Key point is that as a group we feel the Board is in need of change. The average age of our Board members is too high, and there isn't enough football experience there. I wrote an article two years ago touching on this, giving suggestions on how we could improve, and many of the points I still feel are valid today. You can read the article here.

Looking at the Bayern setup, they have ex-players at boardroom level - people who have the club in their blood, who understand the game, understand the fans. We feel that kind of influence would be of benefit to Arsenal.

As mentioned in the flyer, 87% of fans who completed our end of season survey felt the current Arsenal Board is out of touch with the fans, and that change is needed. Of course the usual handful of people have guffawed that it's not 87% of all Arsenal fans. We never said it was, however out of any Arsenal group who conducted a survey it's the highest response rate (around 2,500) and as a matter of fact, these results hit home with the club. After we shared the results with Arsenal they requested time to discuss in more detail the points about fans feeling less valued by the club, and the Board being out of touch. So if you want to try and poke fun, feel free, but the club have recognised the issue and want to work on that, which is great.

It's about the fans
Our ultimate message from the flyer is that while big stadiums, players and trophies are great and help promote a club's standing, it's the fans who make a club what it is. It's our supporters who've helped get this great club to the level it's at today. Loyal, hardcore fans who've paid thousands and thousands of pounds over decades, travelling up and down the country (and abroad) in their love of The Arsenal.

We've always said that the Board needs to recognise the value of its core support and do all it can to ensure our fans are treated fairly. While it's great the club engages with fan groups, there's a lot more that can be done and let's not forget that famous saying "Football without fans is nothing".

Ultimately, as a group we're all about making things better for our matchgoing fans. That's' it.

If you want to see the flyer in full, take a look below.

Up The Gunners

'Highbury Harold'
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Julian Harrison
17/10/2013 03:38:10 am

Hahahaha this is absolutely on the money! Well done BSM for what you're doing.

Fred Parks
17/10/2013 05:30:49 am

So try. I´m sitting here in Germany and see and hear what Bayern are doing. You can see their board of directors in the home and AWAY boxes every week. If Bayern lose (not very often) then you can see it in all the faces. Kroenke and Gezedis - just in it for the money, no passion, no understand of the fans and what they know about football you could probably write on the back of a 1P stamp and still have room for the 10 commandments !!!

Will
17/10/2013 05:38:24 pm

Gazidis has said a few times that one of the main reasons for wanting to increase the commercial revenue streams is that it will decrease the pressure on local revenue, from matchday income. Now that we will be increasing our commercial income, new deal with emirates, new puma kit deal, will we see them 'reduce the pressure on local revenue streams' i.e ticket prices? Doubt it. Will the current board cease their spin (which the newspapers always publish), and come to realize that it is the fans that make the club, and without that local support the club will never be Bayern. Because Bayern understand that ticket prices are SO important to the atmosphere in the stadium, attracting young people into the stadium and maintaining the foundations of the fanbase, who truly love the club. Shame, because we could be Bayern, the board just wont make sure we have the potential to be.

Chris
17/10/2013 07:23:44 pm

Firstly, I should say that I broadly admire the BSM for being so actively engaged.

But I think this comparison with Bayern is more than a little disingenuous. When Gazidis drew a comparison with them it was clearly and obviously aspirational; as if saying "this is where we want to be and they are living proof of a self-sustaining club being successful".

We never have been as big a club as Bayern.

Drawing attention to this difference is only useful in so far as it shows how far the club has to go to match them. You might equally print a leaflet drawing a comparison with Sp*rs or indeed any of the very many other clubs that would kill to be in our position.

Unfortunately I view the leaflet as largely being opportunist and pointless. It isn't constructive and it doesn't really help matters other than highlight Arsenal's current place in the food chain. Anyone with half a brain knows Arsenal's status - what's important for me (and I suspect most fans) is whether the club is acting appropriately to improve that place. This leaflet doesn't address that. I get that the leaflet keeps BSM in the public eye, but it's surely better than such gimmicks.

And, before there's any attempt to claim that I can't be as big a fan as others for simply not finding the leaflet useful, i've been a supporter home and away for 32 years and counting. I've been through thick and thin with the club, i've experienced the highs of Anfield and WHL and the lows of the Terry Neill days, 18,000 home attendances and mid-table mediocrity. We can certainly be better than we are now, but we could also be a whole lot worse.

Jason
18/10/2013 09:09:18 am

Er have a read above. What you're saying is Gazidis's comparison was aspirational and this is EXACTLY what BSM are saying "OK if Bayern are here where do we need to go?". It clearly shows key differences between both clubs and suggests ways in which BSM feel we can benefit. It's a constructive piece and I admire the balls this group has. Never afraid to push for fear of upsetting Gazidis or whoever they are a breath of fresh air among our until now arse licking fan groups.

Max
18/10/2013 09:07:44 am

The BSM are often prematurely judged, in my opinion. They aren't specifically anti-Arsene, or just finding something to moan about, the care deeply about this club and simply ask the Directors of our football club to stick to their word - as reflected in this piece. Great article, please keep up the good work!

Nords
18/10/2013 04:37:33 pm

I think the leaflet highlights gazidis either thinks we are all idiots or does not give two shits about fans. Aspire copy compare whatever he was thinking it was all about £££££ and not about the fans. Ok so if gazidis managed to get us close to bayern financially (we are not a million miles away) does anyone think he will reduce the season tickets or match day tickets or introduce safe standing or allow ex players on to the board.the BSM leaflet does a great job telling gazidis that fans compare not only ££££ or trophies but also how the board treats the fans and we are a fucking million miles away.


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    Note that articles on this section of the website are the opinions of individuals and may not represent the view of the BSM as a whole. For official group announcements, visit the News page on this website.
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