Thank you

[Reg Niseth]

Thanks to those from this site who turned up to hand out leaflets before the AGM. I've never attended an AGM before and didn't really know what to expect other than spin.

I understand the BSM banner was 'trending' on Twitter and was being picked up around the world. The TV and Radio phone in spoke to a couple of representatives.

Although I was initially disappointed with the numbers (about 30) in hindsight it was better than having hundreds (that's for another time). There was a lad that had flown in from Germany that morning and stopped by to offer his support to us before returning later today.

The leaflets were accepted by all that were offered with none discarded further down the road. We had some lads stationed by Highbury House and Wenger took a copy when he arrived. They then took the piss as board members climbed into two taxis surrounded by security to take them to the meeting!! Obviously a helicopter was not available due to the weather.

A couple of us managed to get in but there was no need for us to lead any rebellion . . . the mood was already set. I can't remember a proper answer to a question and these were usually followed by shouts of ANSWER THE QUESTION from the shareholders.

PHW stumbled through his speech as usual and showed utter contempt for the shareholders and fans.

Stan (with is new wig) was asked a couple of direct questions but failed to answer them as Gazadis had to jump in on his behalf.

The voting of directors onto the board was farcical with PHW saying "oh it's teh same lot" when hands went up to oppose Gazadis' appointment.

I fear that Stan will soon start taking money from the club, probably in the form a a 'consultancy fee'. I don't see him paying dividends as that wouldmean giving a load of moeny to R&W. He did not give a clear answer when asked directly what his intentions were.

I had my question ready but couldn't get to a mike. It would've been directed at Stan. "You are known as Silent Stan. this is an ideal platform for you convince us of your vision for our club. If you can't convice us then in the words of our chairmam . . . we don't need your sort here".

So what next? Well unease with the board is growing immensely (though many on here and other sites have known this for some time) so it has been suggested we show our anger on December 8th at home to WBA by showing the directors as they enter the directors suite that we want change . . . starting with the removal of PHW.


p.s Fuck it. I'm trying to be polite and diplomatic, let's just get the gin-soaked *word censored* out of our club and all the others with them.

[flash gunner]

Well done Reg and to everyone involved. I hope this is the beginning of some sort of change at the club

[Arsenal Till I Die]

it has been suggested we show our anger on December 8th at home to WBA by showing the directors as they enter the directors suite that we want change . . . starting with the removal of PHW.

Do we have to wait that long?

[northbank123]

I was impressed by the Black Scarf leaflets, showed some good restraint because it would have been so easy to print 100-page dossiers on what wankers the mugs running the club are. The leaflet got some very good press on Twatter etc. We must realise that any change will be a very slow process. Sitting through 2 hours of uncomfortableness is a small price for Stan to pay bearing in mind what he's going to pocket from this club in the long term, until the tide starts to turn at home games at all then nothing is going to happen.

Also though it was clever to go after the board and not Wenger. It's painfully obvious that a great number of people will back Wenger to the hilt regardless of what's going on at the club, even if they're ambivalent towards him nobody shares the same (or any) affection for Gazidis.

Small progress but a good platform for the BSM.

[Reg Niseth]

it has been suggested we show our anger on December 8th at home to WBA by showing the directors as they enter the directors suite that we want change . . . starting with the removal of PHW.

Do we have to wait that long?

No reason why fans can't make their feelings known now. But if we want hundreds turning up it needs organising so fans that may not be going to the game can still come along and make their feelings known. Also it allows for a build up of media interest. TV, radio and press were told we'd be there yesterday and were waiting for us especially.

[Revgoon89]

I'm all for demonstrations outside the ground at home games, we can't just limit ourselves to AGM's and discussing our feelings online, pressure must be put on the club to make them more aware that there is discontent growing amongst the fanbase.

[hugh jardon]

it has been suggested we show our anger on December 8th at home to WBA by showing the directors as they enter the directors suite that we want change . . . starting with the removal of PHW.

Do we have to wait that long?

How about capitalising on your publicity this Saturday at home v QPR. Saturday afternoon will see many more able to attend than a Thursday morning. I fear a few decent results and the interest that you have achieved will be lost.

[Reg Niseth]

it has been suggested we show our anger on December 8th at home to WBA by showing the directors as they enter the directors suite that we want change . . . starting with the removal of PHW.

Do we have to wait that long?

How about capitalising on your publicity this Saturday at home v QPR. Saturday afternoon will see many more able to attend than a Thursday morning. I fear a few decent results and the interest that you have achieved will be lost.

pubs will be leafleted tomorrow, looking for some volunteers for handing out if you're intersted.

[Eboue-Why?]

Reg, any chance of uploading what was on the leaflet?

[Reg Niseth]

Reg, any chance of uploading what was on the leaflet?

best I can do, sorry

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... erage.html

[franksav63]

Good to finally meet you yesterday Reg.

[Reg Niseth]

Good to finally meet you yesterday Reg.

you too mate, thanks for your help, much appreciated

[franksav63]

Good to finally meet you yesterday Reg.

you too mate, thanks for your help, much appreciated

No worries, I'll be up for any future protests/meetings etc.

[OneBardGooner]

The Telegraph have reported it thus:

"Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke putting chase for trophies ahead of financial gain at the Emirates Stadium
Stan Kroenke insisted on Thursday night his investment in Arsenal was motivated by a desire to win trophies rather than financial gain after the club’s annual meeting was disrupted by angry outbursts from supporters.

The American’s rare public statement followed pointed questions from shareholders about his long-term intentions and also a request that he guarantee that money would never leave the club in the form of shareholders’ dividends.
Kroenke responded by pointing to his 17-year record in sports ownership, as well as his place on the Arsenal board over the past five years, and the fact that he has no track record of awarding himself dividends. “We have a record in sports around the world,” said Kroenke.
“We’ve never put any debt on this club for acquisition, never in any meeting said that money was not available to spend. We have a record of reinvestment in our other clubs, and it’s there for everyone else to see.”
His answer led some critics, including the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, to conclude that Kroenke was planning to pay dividends to shareholders. Arsenal were left bemused by that interpretation and remain adamant that all money generated by the club will remain available to manager Arsène Wenger, in line with their self-sustaining philosophy.
Kroenke, who also owns NFL, NBA, Major League Soccer and ice hockey teams in the United States, subsequently issued a statement to further clarify his intentions for Arsenal.
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“The reason I am involved in sport is to win,” he said. “Everything else is a footnote. “Arsenal is a tremendous club with a track record of consistent performance at the top level. That is very rare but we have managed it. I know that will continue as we move forwards. We have an exciting future and our goal is to win trophies.”
Kroenke was also challenged by the AST on his interaction with fans, with the group’s spokesman Tim Payton taking the microphone to assert that there had been no meetings with supporters since the takeover in April 2011, something that was listed as a priority in Kroenke’s offer document.
“I’m surprised Tim would make that statement, because I’ve met with him numerous times,” said Kroenke. “I still meet with fan groups, all fan groups. I’ve always enjoyed that.”
Ivan Gazidis, the chief executive, also stepped in. “Can I just again depersonalise this a little bit?” he said. “This club is not about Stan Kroenke, it’s not about Arsène Wenger, it’s not about any of the individuals. We run this football club through our board.”

The rest of that board, notably Gazidis and chairman Peter Hill-Wood, came under sustained attack from other disgruntled shareholders. One speaker earned applause by accusing directors of putting profit on the balance sheet before success and “ruining” the club.
Hill-Wood was heckled as being “patronising” for a series of dismissive remarks to critical questions, including his description of those who voted against the reappointment of board members, including Gazidis, as “the same lot”. He also ended the meeting by thanking shareholders for “taking an interest in our affairs”.
Gazidis also had to call for order when another AST member, Nigel Phillips, questioned Arsenal’s ambition and asked how he should explain to his 10-year-old son the sale of Robin van Persie.
Hill-Wood was then forced to defend the salary of Gazidis and the composition of the board, rejecting calls for some younger faces among the directors. On Gazidis, who received a £675,000 bonus, Hill-Wood said: “It was the remuneration committee’s considered opinion that they were fairly rewarded for an extremely good year.”
The cost of watching Arsenal was also repeatedly raised, including the £13.90 price of fish and chips in a suite at the Emirates, with fans clearly frustrated that the club ended another trophy-less year with pre-tax profits of £36.6 million and a cash position of £153.6 million. Gazidis, though, argued that the Europe-wide move to financial fair play and new commercial deals in 2014 would allow Arsenal to achieve a new era of sustained success.
“The only way you can really judge over time is by looking at a club’s record and its league performance against its spending,” he said. “We have outperformed that spend every year for 15 years.”
The mood of the meeting was improved when Wenger took the microphone, defended his record and made an impassioned call for unity. He pointed out that Arsenal had finished third in the Premier League last year and reached the Champions League for 15 consecutive years.
“For me, there are five trophies,” said Wenger. “The first is to win the Premier League, the second is to win the Champions League, the third is to qualify for the Champions League, the fourth is to win the FA Cup and the fifth is to win the League Cup.
“If you want to attract the best players, they do not ask: 'Did you win the League Cup?’, They ask: 'Do you play in the Champions League?’”

[RoscommonGooner]

Nice

Reg, I still haven't signed up to the full BSM membership yet, partly because the card isn't in great shape
Anyway, I'm over for the NLD, is there any way I could meet and sign up in person that weekend. After the game would probably suit me better.

Cheers.