Bring back David Dein and invite Red & White Holdings on the board, were two clear messages from the comprehensive survey carried out by the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, launched at a meeting last night.
Sixty nine per cent wanted Dein back to support Wenger in a football specific role (including some wanting the role only), and 70% wanted a R&W representative on the board in a survey sent to 850 members, with a 45% response rate.
There were some calls for a new manager, with Wenger being made director of football, and around one third wanted new coaches and defensive coaches being drawn from former players.
The underlying messages from the responses show serious signs, and downward trends but that radical firm action can put them right. The question is: can this be achieved given the current state of affairs?
Just over half wanted to retain the self sufficiency sustainability model with 38% wanting investment into the club by shareholders.
Seventy six per cent are unsatisfied or slightly satisfied with Arsenal\’s performance over recent years, with 69% saying that Wenger\’s philosophies take precedence over winning trophies.
But if Wenger doesn\’t win a trophy this coming season, only 40% say the Board should conclude Wenger has taken the club as far as it can.
Over half say that ticket prices Arsenal charge don\’t provide good value. And forty per cent said the increase in ticket prices will reduce spending on food, drinks, merchandising and programmes.
Just over half said that they felt a lesser sense of belonging in terms of their relationship with Arsenal. And only 8% thought the Arsenal board were in touch with the fans, with 57% saying slightly in touch.
In fact, the board came in for criticism in individual comments, with disappointment that the money from the sale of shares wasn’t invested in the club with some questioning their continuation in the role.
The glass half full brigade won the attitude stakes with 43% optimistic or extremely optimistic about Arsenal\’s structure, business model, management and squad strength compared to other Premiership teams. But nearly one third were pessimistic.
http://www.arsenaltrust.org/uploaded/astfullsurveyreport2011(1).pdf