More than 100 members of the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST) met in central London last night to discus the proposed takeover of Arsenal Holdings PLC by Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE).

The members present voted unanimously that the AST continues its campaign for supporters to remain involved in Arsenals ownership structure.

The AST said:

“Arsenal is too important to be owned by any one person.  The AST wants to work with Stan Kroenke to keep Arsenal supporters involved in the clubs ownership structure.

The AST  and the Arsenal Fanshare scheme will not be selling the shares its owns and urges all supporters to reject this offer.

In just six months the Arsenal Fanshare scheme has gained 1800 members who have invested 500,000 in Arsenal shares. This scheme has been widely praised across the football community and is supported by the Government who are currently reviewing footballs governance structures.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday called on Stan Kroenke to continue the Fanshare scheme.

The Arsenal Board supported Arsenal Fanshare and Stan Kroenke was a member of the Board at the time. Stan Kroenke has also previously told the AST that he sees supporter shareholders making an important contribution to the club and that the AST provides independent perspective  to the shareholders, board and management.

The AST spoke to Ivan Gazidis on Monday 11 April and he reiterated the importance he places upon fans involvement in the club and stated his commitment to custodianship.

The AST is encouraged that Kroenke’s offer states that he does not intend to ‘de-list’ Arsenal from the PLUS markets. In the next few days we will seek further confirmation of his plans in this area and would like to see more detail on this subject in the formal KSE offer document.

“AST is encouraged to hear Red & White plan to keep their shares. They have previously stated their long-term commitment to the club and this decision would be a good demonstration of that”.

Ends:

Ivan Gazidis has regularly spoken of the importance of supporter involvement and plurality in the ownership structure of Arsenal Football Club.

For more information on this subject please listen to a podcast that AST Board member Tim Payton did with the Arseblog website yesterday.

The Arsenal Fanshare scheme continues to operate and we will keep members updated when the formal offer document is published.