Elliot Guthrie
The evening started with a presentation which lasted from 18:15 – 18:45 and then from 18:45 till 19:30 it became an open floor Q&A. To his credit David Dein answered every question related to ownership, board, manager etc. and while some answers were obviously politically diplomatic he did disclose some intriguing and fascinating points. Having spoken with Ivan Gazidis on many an occasion I found Dein to be much more friendly, approachable and understanding of the concerns of the modern fan. I’ve made notes of the evening in a chronological order and hope you find this of interest.
*Opened with an anecdote about how one of his first moves as a figure of authority in football was to push for a second substitute in a match day squad. He stated a majority of club opposed this idea due to extra cost such as hotel and food bills. He said it’s ironic how squads have grown astronomically since the 80’s.
*Prefers the idea of an 18 team Premier League. Feels the quality of the International game would improve as a result of less matches and would also increase the competitive nature of league matches at the tail end of a season.
*Stated that there was a 92.6% stadium capacity for the Premier League as a whole in the 2011/2012 season and fully expects this to increase this season. Ticket increases continue to rise as there isn’t a reason for the League as a whole to reduce them. He sympathises with the plight of the common football fan. He emphasised that when Arsenal played their Champions League fixtures at Wembley for a brief period he created 10,000 seats available for only £10. He stated he wished for this to be replicated at Emirates Stadium and was disappointed it wasn’t. Felt that by moving to Wembley the average ticket cost would be much cheaper and the ground would be full to capacity. He highlighted the growing revenues coming from abroad and that they are almost matching the domestic television revenue streams. Cited when he was in South Africa last month for the Africa Cup of Nations that fans were obsessed with Premier League as opposed to national tournament. He feels ticket prices can and should be made more affordable as a result of revenue from other sources.
*Surprisingly mentioned that whilst visiting the Spurs training ground last week he found their facilities and general infrastructure to be the most impressive he had seen in European football. Often referred to their technological advancement in training methods and their general status as a rising club. Feels if they complete a new stadium they will become a dominant force in world football. (This strongly sounded as a dig at Arsenal for their possibly out-dated methods and reluctance to adopt modern day practices.)
*His main objective at present is to implement and campaign for independent time keeping within football akin to rugby i.e. stop the clock when ball goes out of play and he believes this will be trialled in next 2 to 3 years. Also strongly believes goal line technology will be in place for start of next PL season.
In 2007 you encouraged Stan Kroenke to become involved in Arsenal on the basis that the club needed their own billionaire backer. Has it worked out as you hoped?
David smiled and said ‘great question.’ He mentioned that at the time the Granada shares were available that Chelsea were ‘pulling away’ domestically. He felt the club needed the insurance of a billionaire backer as security and as a need to compete. He also highlighted this need to compete by mentioning his relationship with Alisher Usmanov. His general feeling was that Stan Kroenke wasn’t being utilised sufficiently within the Club at present, hence his growing relationship with Usmanov (who he obviously feels would be a better choice.) He stated that he had ‘no regrets’ as regards his motive and reasons in encouraging a billionaire backer to be involved with the club. (Sense that his regret is that it was Kroenke who got in before Usmanov).
When questioned his plans as to a possible return to Arsenal he stated that he was enjoying his current freedom of travelling around the world watching the sport he loves. However, he referred to himself as being ‘on the subs bench.’ I.e. he was willing to return if required.
Can AFC continue to compete under the current model?
He stated Arsenal were in a terrific position to compete. He highlighted the well-known mantra of being well placed with a strong turnover that was greater than Manchester City’s. He feels that the ‘artificial building of commercial revenue’ is soon to be stopped and referenced UEFA’s strong handling of Malaga as the start of FFP being strongly implemented, he mentioned clubs who he refused to name were successfully cheating the system and it is difficult to prove legally that they are.
On field matters are a different situation. He feels certain players at the club are ‘simply not good enough.’ He persistently stated that ‘Get a winning team and everything flows from that.’ He feels that Club are attempting to negotiate sponsorships without a world-class product (team) to speak of. Dein highlighted the need to focus on the field and matters off it will improve. Feels AFC are doing the opposite.
He stated that he doesn’t know why we repeatedly fail to make sufficient investment during transfer windows. Finds the situation ‘frustrating.’ Feels that AW can be successful again in the future if ‘top quality signings are made available to him.’ Feels the players are letting him down too often. (Strongly avoided blaming AW for any of the club’s recent shortcomings)
If you were on the board in the summer would you have sold RVP?
Hypothetically speaking he stated that the players hold incredible amounts of power when it comes to transfer/contract negotiations. Feels the Club were ultimately left in a powerless position. He spoke of ‘preserving equity in the product’ (RVP). Ultimately he feels this led to RVP’s departure. (Strongly suggested that negotiations were left far too long that in the end the Club were held over a barrel.)
Another question of negotiations was posed when someone asked ‘Why didn’t you pay Ashley Cole the extra £5k a week?’ He stated that he fully wanted to but wasn’t the sole conductor in the discussions. (Someone asked if he was only saying this to appease the crowd he stated, Ashley is a top player any club would be poorer without him.) This notion of other board members disagreeing with him was replicated when he spoke of wanting to bring Wenger in in 1994. He was overruled and the board favoured Bruce Rioch which he describes as a ‘catastrophic decision.’
As the evening came to an end he emphasised his strong passion and belief in Arsene Wenger, the human. He feels that fans are becoming removed from the person and the political. Mentioned a story from 1988 when they first met and played charades. (His fondness and respect for Arsene was understandable yet admiring.)
Closed the evening by stating he cannot predict the future of Arsenal. ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ Yet he closed by smirking and mentioning don’t be surprised by ‘a major event of change in the not too distant future.’
(Ed’s note – nowhere else to run the following, so am posting here. Been requested to get some help for this lad…
Young supporter charged at Bradford game. Witnesses needed
The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) has been approached for assistance by a young Gooner who has been stuck on for a Section 5 public order offence (using insulting words or behaviour) after being arrested at the game whilst in the away stand in sections N & T by West Yorkshire Police. The lad vehemently denies the charge. He’s frightened to death of ending up with a criminal record. The FSF has arranged legal representation. The lad’s parents are very supportive. What is needed URGENTLY are eye witnesses to the arrest to come forward. The lad has received a court date of 28/2/13 so this is urgent. If you were there and witnessed anything relevant please contact [email protected]
