The 85th Arsenal AGM, held in the concourse of the North Bank Stand at noon on Thursday, August 24th, was a strangely compelling piece of theatre.
Directors Peter Hill-Wood, Ken Friar, David Dein, Danny Fiszman, Richard Carr and Sir Roger Gibbs wore sombre dark suits and club ties, new manager Bruce Rioch sported a light blue suit, and the auditors were at a separate table in an alcove, almost out of sight, as accountants should be.
When the directors came in, found their seats, and sat down facing almost 300 shareholders, they looked scared, even guilty, as if they expected to take a lot of flak.
Hill-Wood spoke nervously at first : “Some of you may want to ask questions about George Graham. The matter isn’t over totally. There are possible legal proceedings which can happen in the future.” He said the club had been advised by their lawyers to say as little as possible about Graham.
The neutral words and numbers in the annual report explained how Arsenal had made a record profit of áœá6.84 million on a turnover of £23.94 million. An exceptional item listed in the accounts was £482,205. A note explained : “The exceptional item represents monies paid to the company during the year by the club’s former manager.” The repayment of the bung was there in black and white.
One fan asked for an assurance that Ray Parlour’s drunken brawl on tour in Hong Kong would not be repeated. Hill-Wood said the other players had been very angry with Parlour.
A man complained that the PA was far too loud, making conversation impossible, a sentiment shared by many of those present. Another man asked if internal controls were now in place to prevent a repetition of the bung scandal. A third wanted to know why the board sanctioned the spending of £6 million on Hartson, Helder and Kiwomya only days before Graham was sacked. The abuse of Arsenal fans by the French police and stadium officials at the Cup Winners Cup Final against Real Zaragoza in Paris was mentioned. Hill-Wood said “We have complained to FIFA, making all the points you made, and more. We await their reply. We have written to them three times. We don’t like the way our supporters were treated.”
One question, by someone I’m assured was a plant, talked about the club’s dignified non-response to a recent slagging by Spurs chairman Alan Sugar, who had been quoted as saying the Arsenal board were cowards for not sacking Graham as soon as they discovered the bung.
Applause broke out when Bruce Rioch stood up and took the microphone. “It’s the first time I’ve been to an AGM where there’s been standing room only !” he said. “Can I begin by giving the board a vote of confidence ?” That got a laugh. Rioch came over very well, and was patient with punters who wanted autographs and photos with him afterwards.
AGM regulars agreed that, as usual, Arsenal had told them nothing.
The board, like Graham, had got off very lightly. The mood of the meeting was hugely helped by Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Everton the previous night. If they’d lost 2-0 at Everton, the AGM might have been a bloodbath. But that’s the way most fans are. If you win a game, the manager is a hero. If he loses a couple, he’s an idiot.