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THREAD: A few thoughts on the news that's been emerging from the Club over the last day or so, on further redundancies.
First thing - some cards on the table - Mark Brindle was one of the founders of REDaction in 2003 - so this is pretty personal.
First thing - some cards on the table - Mark Brindle was one of the founders of REDaction in 2003 - so this is pretty personal.
Mark helped run the South East Essex Supporters' Club for many years, chaired REDaction for 10 years, served on the board of AST for a time - then joined Arsenal as SLO 7 years ago. He has spent literally decades working - paid and unpaid - to help Arsenal fans.
So the news of redundancy this week is a nasty shock - especially coming after Sue Campbell was nudged into early retirement last year, and Jill Smith retired a few years ago.
Between Jill, Sue and Mark, there must be over 80 years' combined service to Arsenal fans - now gone.
Between Jill, Sue and Mark, there must be over 80 years' combined service to Arsenal fans - now gone.
Our biggest concern here is that the relationship between club and fans is disintegrating.
In his SLO role, Mark has had deep relationships with supporters' clubs worldwide, fan groups in London, and individual fans - the SLO is the 'glue' between club and fans.
In his SLO role, Mark has had deep relationships with supporters' clubs worldwide, fan groups in London, and individual fans - the SLO is the 'glue' between club and fans.
It seems the SLO duties are being divided between a few roles - some in ticketing, some 'customer service' etc.
The club need to have a single point of contact for fans and fan groups - especially on matchdays (and especially away from home) - and we see no sign of this.
The club need to have a single point of contact for fans and fan groups - especially on matchdays (and especially away from home) - and we see no sign of this.
We spoke to Arsenal earlier - they stress that nothing is finalised (but we know that's what everybody says during redundancy proceedings, and of course we don't blame anybody for sticking to that official line whilst things are ongoing).
But I think we all know what's coming.
But I think we all know what's coming.
Arsenal also say that the SLO duties will not disappear, and that they are increasing the level of resource in this area.
We urgently need to know what that will look like in practice - because all of the obvious options currently look like a huge downgrade on what we have now.
We urgently need to know what that will look like in practice - because all of the obvious options currently look like a huge downgrade on what we have now.
More widely - this does not do anything to dispel the idea that Arsenal have remote ownership, and that the club are less and less interested in the match going fan.
Again, we would love to see evidence to the contrary, but the direction of travel seems clear here.
Again, we would love to see evidence to the contrary, but the direction of travel seems clear here.
We will keep using our contacts to keep asking these questions, and working with other fans' groups to ensure our voices are heard.
Finally - if you think this is a bad move, the club need to hear from you. But (obviously), please keep it constructive and respectful. END.
Finally - if you think this is a bad move, the club need to hear from you. But (obviously), please keep it constructive and respectful. END.
