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Bringing fans closer: new approach unveiled

As the 2021/22 season approaches and following discussions with supporters’ representatives, we are launching a number of initiatives to bring fans closer to the club.

This is designed to ensure the fans’ voice is increasingly central to our decision making moving forward.

To support this ambition, we are establishing an Arsenal Advisory Board, exclusively comprised of Arsenal fans, to provide counsel to the Arsenal Board on a range of predominantly off-field matters.  

The Arsenal Advisory Board will consist of elected representatives from the Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association, the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, Gay Gooners, Domestic and International Supporters’ Clubs, Arsenal Disabled Supporters’ Association and the Fans’ Forum representative for 18-24-year-old fans

These groups have been identified as they represent large numbers of Arsenal’s diverse global community. Fan representatives will be elected by their constituent groups and individuals will remain members for three years. 

The club will be represented on the Board by Josh Kroenke (ownership), Tim Lewis (board member), Vinai Venkatesham (Chief Executive), Mark Gonnella (Media, Communications & Community Affairs Director) and Mark Brindle (Supporter Liaison Officer). 

 

The Arsenal Advisory Board will meet formally at least twice a season.

Key themes for discussion will include:

•    Preserving our culture and traditions while celebrating our history

•    Future direction/structure of the game both domestically and in Europe

•    Engaging and growing our support around the world

•    Continuing to make a meaningful difference to those in need in our community work at home and abroad

•    Our work on diversity and inclusion - in particular the fight against online abuse

•    Growing the profile of Arsenal Women and women’s football more generally

•    Developing revenues to maximise investment in players 

•    Further areas as agreed in consultation with the Arsenal Advisory Board

You can find the Board’s Terms of Reference here:

Fans’ Forum

The Fans’ Forum will continue to meet three times a year to discuss more operational matters and will be attended by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and other senior executives. Josh Kroenke will attend at least one Fans’ Forum each season.

 

As part of the Fans’ Forum, the club commits to meaningful consultation in areas to include:

 

•    Ticket pricing and experience

•    Membership pricing and benefits

•    Safe standing

•    Significant changes to the matchday experience; e.g. cashless

•    Other projects with significant impact on fans; e.g. loyalty

•    Ticket allocation for Cup Finals

•    Ticket touting

•    Maximising attendance at Emirates Stadium

We will transform the selection process for election to the forum by using our systems to engage directly with specific groups so nominees can make their pitch to supporters directly. We will also promote the feedback mechanisms for fans more effectively to help forum members better reflect the views of their groups.

 

We are also establishing workshops to take Fans’ Forum representatives through specific areas of work. This will support our drive to make the fans' voice more central to our decision-making and thinking, which is a key priority for us moving forward.

In addition, Vinai Venkatesham and other senior members of staff will meet with each of AISA and AST at least three times a year formally, between each fan forum, and ad-hoc as required, to ensure the voice of their membership is clearly heard. Supporters’ clubs will also have the opportunity to meet senior club officials on a regular basis.

A fan representative will also join the Arsenal Foundation trustee board.

 

Stan and Josh Kroenke said: “We are 100 per cent committed to Arsenal for the long term and we want our fans to feel even closer to the club they love. The steps that are being taken here will ensure their voice is more central to the club’s decision making moving forward.”

 

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