PR – Public Relations. Members’ Day is an event designed to make Arsenal supporters feel a bit more included by inviting them to watch a training session at the E******s Stadium, followed by some events such as signing sessions and a Q&A event with members of the current squad. It’s great for the kids to get closer to their heroes than they would normally get the chance, and this is invariably the reason I attend each year. My son had a great time, but there were three reasons for this.

Firstly, he had the opportunity to kick a football against a goal set up opposite turnstile L for the 35 minutes we were delayed going in after the 11.15 scheduled entrance time came and went. Fortunately at any time, a maximum of 12 kids were taking it in turns to strike a ball into the goal, so he was sufficiently entertained.

Secondly, we met up with Gooner contributor Marcia and her two kids, so once inside they sat together and if things got a bit dull on the pitch, they could entertain each other.

Thirdly, unlike Marcia and her kids, we were fortunate enough not to be picked out in the ballot for a signing session, as the wait was ridiculous. I received a series of texts throughout the afternoon telling me how long she was waiting. Obviously not ideal with two young children.

And that, ultimately, is where Members’ Day 2010 collapsed as a feel good exercise. First up, the huge queues of people outside the stadium testified to the popularity of the event. But to keep them waiting until 11.50 to get in is simply unforgivable. One assumes the squad photoshoot – scheduled for 10.30 – overran. Was one of the players late? There was a rumour that Cesc Fabregas hadn’t turned up, so maybe it was the captain that was a bit tardy and the reason for the delay.

Whatever it was, why weren’t people allowed into the stadium. If they need an empty stadium backdrop, there’s no issue – only a third of the lower tier was opened to fans, so just use one of the other bits in the background and let the people sit down. People were getting seriously p***ed off in the queue outside as noon approached with little sign of admittance.

The small things I can forgive. The awful PA, which led to Bob Wilson talking and few understanding. Amateur stuff, but, assuming you weren’t reliant on the information, ultimately harmless. At least we were able to sit down. Another gem was the programme which informed us on one page to check our individual numbers on the back page for the chance to win one of the balls used in the training session. Except there were no numbers on the back…

Still, it’s the important things, isn’t it? Like how you treat your public. The interminable wait for the players to have a shower and tuck into some lunch between the open training session and the afternoon events was at least 90 minutes. How about prioritizing the public and just doing 45 minutes immediately after the training session? March the players up to the relevant club level areas, get the events on sharpish and then let the players shower (they didn’t exactly break sweat in the training, so hardly a priority) and eat, while the public go home happy.

To boot, it was relayed to me that “the stewards were hostile and very unhelpful”. You have to hand it to the club. Only Arsenal could put on a day to make the fans feel special and balls it up on this scale. We are still very much the paupers at the gate…

Oh and that Cesc Fabregas bloke. Looked a bit sheepish to me. Best moment of the day for me was when a bloke who had won a competition to take part in the crossbar challenge, while waiting for a penalty shoot-out comp to finish, went round to as many players as he could to get his shirt signed. Physio Colin Lewin gave him the nastiest of looks and told him to stop! The fan obviously wasn’t aware this lot aren’t allowed to interact with mere mortals unless under strict supervision…

Before I finish, some praise for the club where it is due. In an event totally devoid of involvement with Arsene Wenger or his players, my son, along with 199 other kids, was lucky enough to be picked out to play on the pitch at the stadium and camp on it overnight back in late May. It was a fantastic event that all the kids loved and was very well run. Arsenal can do brilliant things for their fans and my thanks to those that organize the Junior Gunners for an experience my son will never forget. And the reason it went so well was quite probably because it did not rely on the manager and his over-pampered stars.