What Have The Arsenal Supporters Groups Achieved?

I have made a rather interesting observation. Many supporters groups have been complaining about the club not learning from their mistakes, that they keep trying to do the same thing over and over despite limited success. This is of course to some extent true. However, the supports groups are just as guilty of lack of pragmatism as the board is. They have their marches, they write their letters, they complain at the AGMs and Q&As, but what have they achieved that is of any significance? If they want any real change they need to realize that the board holds all the cards, they need to start playing by their rules, presenting their messages in ways that appeal to the board or nothing will happen. It’s time you learnt from your mistakes.

First of all, the refusal to accept that to the board the Arsenal is a business is a major mistake. It may be much more to all of us, but to them it’s a business. Trying to change that view of theirs is nothing but futile.  Instead the supporters groups must find ways to merge their goals with a businesslike approach. What is crucial is showing the board how the change you propose will benefit Arsenal as a business, if it doesn’t they will not be interested. Despite this the narrative from the supporters groups is that the board need to start thinking about the fans when it should be about showing the board why caring for the fans will help Arsenal as a business.

Second, all the marches, letters and public statements in the media against the board; is there anyone who think they are a good idea? Who came up with the strategy of trying to annoy and humiliate the people who hold the power to pushing through the changes you want? It’s a terrible idea. It won’t make them listen to you. The only thing it achieves is creating a hostile climate where you are seen by them as the enemy. Does that sound like a good basis for achieving change?

Finally, trying to directly get a meeting with Kroenke shows a lack of understanding of hierarchical organizations work. Even if you manage to get that meeting it will only be a courtesy on his part. To get the people who hold the power to listen to what you have to say you must first convince someone they trust about the greatness of your proposal. And to convince them you need to convince someone they trust and so on. Continuing to map backwards in that order will eventually lead to someone who will listen to you. As Bill Daley, strategist for Bill Clinton, was quoted in the New Yorker saying: “We have to call the guy who calls the guy who calls the guy”.

In conclusion fans groups must stop their naïve and idealistic thinking, stop their silly campaigning and feuding with the board, stop calling the board out on mistakes and publically bashing them. This has achieved nothing and will continue to do so. They must instead start packaging their ideas, many of which hold great value to the fans, in ways that appeal to the board. For example if you want them to lower the ticket prices all they hear are lowered revenue, you must then clearly present the advantages it brings to Arsenal from a business perspective. They must use the proper channels to convey the ideas through. Kroenke is more likely to listen to the ideas of someone in his own organization that he trusts than those of a loony whiner at the AGM or crazy protesters demanding him to step down or open letters insulting him.

AST members ask yourselves; given that letter saying Wenger needs to achieve something to prove he is worthy of an extension what has someone like Tim Payton really achieved that is of any real significance? It is time to make a choice, stay idealistic and naïve or achieve real results.

@SweGoon

Goonersphere's Response

Interesting piece Martin and very well argued. You make a good point when you say relationships needs to be fostered up the chain of command. Those wishing to influence Arsenal from the outside should heed your advice and attempt to gain support on the inside by schmoozing "the guy who...".

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