Kevin Whitcher
Next Monday evening (10th September), the Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association AGM takes place in the Dial Square area of the stadium’s club level. Arrive from 6.30 for a 7pm start. Aside from the formal business of the meeting, there will be a Question and Answer session with the club’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Fox and the Communications Director Mark Gonella. There will also be some discussion on pure football matters by way of a chat with Perry Groves which will doubtless be opened up to the assembled audience.
Ahead of the evening, AISA chatted with Tom Fox to enlighten the membership of his key role at the club. In terms of importance, he is probably only second in line to Ivan Gazidis, if not his equal, in respect of the day to day decisions that affect the supporters – away from the playing side. Key commercial decisions – such as those about ticket pricing – are formulated by Tom Fox and his commercial team, and then ratified, or occasionally rejected, at board level.
One interesting aspect of his work in the light of recent events is that, in spite of his success at raising revenue, fans do not see evidence of this in terms of the club’s transfer spending. The CCO has no influence over whether Arsene Wenger chooses to spend the money available to him, but it might be revealing to gauge his feelings for the direction of the club that employs him to increase their profile and revenue, given that he has to sell Arsenal to potential sponsors. Two things make his job easier – team success and star players.
One widely-held belief that he can put the audience straight on – and which he touches on in the AISA interview – is the idea that Stan Kroenke is taking the profit out of the club. There is certainly an argument to say that by building up a cash stockpile, he could be fattening the goose ahead of selling it, but Kroenke’s track record suggests he is not a seller. Which leaves an ever building mountain of cash and a lot of questions. Perhaps Tom Fox will be able to provide some answers. One question I have is whether the club’s understanding of the term ‘self sustainability’ means not using profit for the good of the team, as that is what appears to be happening. What is the point of him raking in the cash that never gets used? What was the point in raising ticket prices, or the cost of membership? Just because they can?
I will be interested to hear what Mark Gonella has to say about the way the club is now perceived by a significant number of the fanbase, as one that prioritises the balance books over winning trophies. He is the man ultimately responsible for the club’s message, and the amount of evident disaffection out there, the number of long term fans who have ceased attending matches in the flesh, surely needs addressing.
Perry Groves will doubtless provide some light relief, or perhaps, as a sometime BBC Radio 5 Live analyst, thoughtful opinion on current Arsenal matters on the field. Probably a bit of both, but whatever he has to offer will doubtless be entertaining.
If you are an existing paid up AISA member, you can just turn up on the night with the current membership card sent to you recently in the post, ideally letting AISA know that you intend to come so they have an idea of numbers. Lapsed members can renew on the night and those who have never been members can sign up on arrival. The cost is £10 per year, or £5 for the unwaged. You can join online in advance of the evening here.
