INVITATION TO ARSENAL MEETING & REPORT‏

[highburyJD]

just received from AISA:

Hi there

We promised to let you know about the "matchday experience" meeting AISA is organising to discuss the results of our recent survey, to decide what priorities should be, and how to achieve change.

We're pleased to advise that this has now been arranged, and will take place at 179 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5LS on THURSDAY 11TH APRIL, 6.30 for 7.00. More details will follow.

The meeting is open to all Arsenal supporters. It would help us with the admin if you could let us know if you plan to attend - just email [email protected]

Also to let you know we met again with the Club last week to discuss some of the issues we have been pursuing with them. Much more info at the meeting but included were AISA proposals and suggestions regarding:

SEASON TICKET STAGED PAYMENT SCHEME
Introduction of a scheme that allows season ticket holders to spread payment over many months with no additional cost except a small admin fee

CHEAPER TICKETS
- Backing for a national scheme, as proposed by the FSF, that will cap away ticket prices at a lower prior than present
- Cheaper tickets for juniors to encourage future generations of Arsenal supporters
- Reduction in cost of FA Cup and, if applicable, Europa League tickets
- Extra ticket entitlement for season-ticket holders, enabling them to buy additional tickets several times a season, some at reduced cost for under 18s
- Relocation of away supporters at the Emirates to upper tier, thereby providing 3,000 cheaper tickets for home supporters

REWARDING LOYALTY
- Specific benefits for Arsenal supporters who regularly travel to away matches. Proposals include free vouchers etc, and also reduced price travel to all away cup matches
- Reduced price season tickets for existing gold members who are senior citizens (building on the current scheme where discounts are applicable but only for those who are prepared to move away from existing friends and family)

TICKET EXCHANGE
- Improvements to scheme including immediate cashback, more flexibility and easy ways of sharing tickets with friends and family (with or without payment)

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ATMOSPHERE
- Various, including a commitment from the Club that they would introduce safe standing, as and when the law is changed.

We believe considerable progress has been made on many of these items (and others discussed separately) and look forward to announcements in due course. If you want any further information, or have suggestions and ideas you want to put forward contact us at [email protected]

[SteveO 35]

Aren't most of these items ones that the BSM raised with Chief Chump Gazidis?

Wasn't he supposed to be responding with a thorough review of ticketing arrangements?

I think this will definitely gather more pace once our spot in the Thursday Night Cup is confirmed. The most expensive ticket prices in Europe have always been sweetened with the virtual guarantee of 4 CL home games. Love to see the value of those cup credits when we're playing Groningen on Thursday night

[REB]

AST ripping off the BSM...

[Herd]

AISA and the AST are "embedded" to the point where they cannot be removed from Ivan's rectum without major surgery

picture deleted - flash

[flash gunner]

Fucking hell Herd!!!! careful what you post pal

[Herd]

Silly arse !

[flash gunner]

Silly arse !

Yes it was

[highburyJD]

AISA is an established independent supporters association (lot older than BSM)
AST is a shareholders trust
The main spokes people of those groups may set a tone
but ultimately they don't control the opinions of those who subscribe
(on twitter Tim Payton of the AST is def perceived as negative/postWenger solution)

every fan group want access, hard to achieve many aims without it
seems silly to moan about the way Arsenal is (which we all do)
and then also moan about people who try and do something
I bleieve AISA, BSM and AST are all real groups run by Gooners
I don't think any of them have anything but the clubs best interests at heart
(even though we may disagree what the bests interests are)

for example, personally I didn't agree with the timing or problem framing of the BSM march
but I'm pleased people care enough about our club to try and push for change

[REB]

AISA is an established independent supporters association (lot older than BSM)
AST is a shareholders trust
The main spokes people of those groups may set a tone
but ultimately they don't control the opinions of those who subscribe
(on twitter Tim Payton of the AST is def perceived as negative/postWenger solution)

every fan group want access, hard to achieve many aims without it
seems silly to moan about the way Arsenal is (which we all do)
and then also moan about people who try and do something
I bleieve AISA, BSM and AST are all real groups run by Gooners
I don't think any of them have anything but the clubs best interests at heart
(even though we may disagree what the bests interests are)


for example, personally I didn't agree with the timing or problem framing of the BSM march
but I'm pleased people care enough about our club to try and push for change

its ok I read your twitter rants with highbury Harold about the BSM so know where you stand

[highburyJD]

I find the BSM people on twitter very measured and reasonable in how they express themselves

there's a hatred expressed by WOB people on here I that personally I don't like
I think it's possible to disagree with other Gooners and be disappointed in our playing and/or coaching staff
without abusing any of them

don't think I've ever heard the hate from BSM people on twitter
that is common currency on here

[SteveO 35]

I'm asking this question in all seriousness and without wishing to inflame an argument, but have any of these groups achieved anything tangible in their objectives?

I'm not underestimating the size of the task - there are less than 5% of shares outside of Kroenke and Usmanov's grasp so in many ways its almost impossible for such a small minority to achieve too much.

Just wondered if anyone here has played an active role in one of these groups and has got some of positive reaction from the club in response to fan demand.

It seems even by the BSM's own admission that Gazidis has stonewalled them on anything meaningful with regard to ticket arrangements e.g. phased payment schemes, away fans moved to upper tier etc etc

[arseofacrow]

I'm asking this question in all seriousness and without wishing to inflame an argument, but have any of these groups achieved anything tangible in their objectives?

I'm not underestimating the size of the task - there are less than 5% of shares outside of Kroenke and Usmanov's grasp so in many ways its almost impossible for such a small minority to achieve too much.

Just wondered if anyone here has played an active role in one of these groups and has got some of positive reaction from the club in response to fan demand.

It seems even by the BSM's own admission that Gazidis has stonewalled them on anything meaningful with regard to ticket arrangements e.g. phased payment schemes, away fans moved to upper tier etc etc

Arsenal will not give way on anything which harms their own vision of what football should be, what the average fan should be like, what should take place within and around the stadium.

They will allow intermitent small "wins" for fans groups, nothing more.

[donaldo]

I'm asking this question in all seriousness and without wishing to inflame an argument, but have any of these groups achieved anything tangible in their objectives?

I'm not underestimating the size of the task - there are less than 5% of shares outside of Kroenke and Usmanov's grasp so in many ways its almost impossible for such a small minority to achieve too much.

Just wondered if anyone here has played an active role in one of these groups and has got some of positive reaction from the club in response to fan demand.

It seems even by the BSM's own admission that Gazidis has stonewalled them on anything meaningful with regard to ticket arrangements e.g. phased payment schemes, away fans moved to upper tier etc etc

I will give Gazidis credit he is a fucking bullshitter of the highest order.Every summer he agree's to meet the AST.After the ST's have to be renewed of course.He gives them the same old spiel tickling the AST's tummy that we are after world class players,we will spend money and Wenger has the backing of the board and none of our best players will be sold.And then pissing off for another 12 months.Why wont he meet fans during the season?

[armchair]

I will give Gazidis credit he is a fucking bullshitter of the highest order.Every summer he agree's to meet the AST.After the ST's have to be renewed of course.He gives them the same old spiel tickling the AST's tummy that we are after world class players,we will spend money and Wenger has the backing of the board and none of our best players will be sold.And then pissing off for another 12 months.Why wont he meet fans during the season?

Whats the point talking to Gazidis when Wenger makes the decisions anyway?

[Herd]

Don't know much about AST but AISA use their membership as a tool to get inside the club .
Apart from the survey they do very little for their member's and the feedback to the membership is piss poor.
It is noticeable that both AST AND AISA are linked to the club's website but not the official uk supporters club that this year dared to challenge the validity of wengers continuing tenure !