Arsenal Supporters United To Express Concern at Ticket Price Rises

Statement



Arsenal Supporters United To Express Concern at Ticket Price Rises

Customers or supporters?


The undersigned Arsenal Supporters Groups have united for the first time to express their significant concern at the impact the increase in general admission and season ticket prices for season 2011-12 will have on loyal Arsenal Fans.

In what will be our 125th year anniversary season, the 6.5% increase will only act to marginalise the bedrock of Arsenal supporters from feeling they belong to the club. Arsenal has a proud history of custodianship and social inclusion at Arsenal and this is in danger of being eroded.

This issue has united supporter opinion like no other and it is the first time that so many supporter groups at Arsenal have come together on one issue.

All of the groups below call on the club’s Board to review this decision and take positive actions during the season to ensure that Arsenal’s fans are treated as supporters and not just customers. We also welcome Ivan Gazidis’ commitment to review the entire ticketing structure and believe that making tickets more affordable should be the number one objective of this exercise.

Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association (AISA)
REDaction
Arsenal Supporters Trust
The Gooner
Where Has Our Arsenal Gone
Essex Arsenal Supporters Club
Herts & Beds Arsenal Supporters Club
Maidstone Arsenal Supporters Club
West Midlands Arsenal Supporters Club


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comments

  1. Tim Leguna

    May 06, 2011, 13:58 #6341

    I do not believe the 6.5% is justified. We have invested in fabulous infrastructure in capital terms i.e the stadium but need to improve the playing staff. Folk are finding it harder to afford and another season like this one will tip a lot over the edge. Bergkamp and his ilk were top top performers, this lot are in no way comparable.

  2. What was the point in leaving Highbury?

    May 05, 2011, 12:21 #6231

    Gazidis does nothing but say the right things and then do f**k all about it. He is nothing but a front boy put in place to look nice and trot out the club line. He makes so much about knowing what the average football supporter wants and then does what?

  3. rolypoly

    May 05, 2011, 8:48 #6213

    Please do no be so naive as to believe Gazidis' promise of a "review" includes as part of the agenda making tickets more affordable. He has been in the job 3 or 4 years now and has had plenty of time for this "review". Why does not any of supporters groups challenge him with hard hitting questions now rather than be be pussycats and simpy accept without question the promise of a "review" and, by the way, he carried out a "review" this year and decided to put the prices up disregarding all sound reasons offered as to why to do so would be unfair. When Gazidis quotes stats eg no rises in last three years, why not reply with a detailed list of year by year rises over last 20 years. The supporters groups must have done their research and should publish the figures. That would put Gazidis' propaganda in its true light. Welcoming the review as per the statement has simply played into Gazidis' hands. I would like to see the groups launch a campaign to discourage purchase of merchandise whether it be from shops or food outlets. Wonder how club would react to peaceful protesters outside its shops. Supporters groups should not invite "legends" as guest speakers and let the "legends " know the reasons why. So far the diplomatic route has failed miserably -perhaps a bit more "militancy" may have an impact

  4. Can we have OUR Arsenal back please?

    May 04, 2011, 20:47 #6204

    Too right. OUR club needs to stop encouraging the type of fan that fits in with some ill-advised marketing model that prioritises people who will spend the most money. They will end up with the 'support' they deserve. Fickle corporates that won't hang around if things go wrong, tourists whose only grasp on anything connected to the game is the bag from the club shop & JCLs. People taking photos smiling facing away from the pitch as we try to push forward for a winner in injury time. Why oh why do the club target these fans at the expense people who would raise the roof at the grove. They would be insane to continue driving away the lifeblood of the club. Fans who are Arsenal to the core & have always provided the bedrock of the club's support, but have been increasingly marginalised & excluded. People who actually get behind the team, don't arrive late or leave early. Real supporters. Why edge them out or give them the hump? Let's rebuild the links to our club that were eroded by people treating us as customers. Let's feel like one big family again.