Consequences!

One of our members let us all down

Many of us were settled on our sofas watching Arsenal take on Palace in a tough fixture on Monday night …
But then, a series of texts and WhatsApps come in during most of the game:
“Some Scottish guy got lifted” … “Is he one of ours?”
“Might have been arrested” … “Maybe not”
“Was his ticket taken?” … “Don’t know”
“He’s apparently watching the game in a pub”
“Dog sniffed him out?” … “Caught in possession” … “Not if he wasn’t arrested”
“Should we contact Arsenal?”
“Should we ban him?”
And more like this for about two hours!  And 3 days later we are still dealing with it.
The person in question may have been content to sit it out in the comfort of a pub, but many of us had our match watching experience spoiled.
Please recognise that such behaviour causes damage to the reputation of both Arsenal FC and ASSC. Anyone (member or guest non-member) that brings either Arsenal FC or ASSC into disrepute at a match is liable to be disqualified from ASSC and the use of its services.

ACTIONS TAKEN

We were seriously worried about tickets and our chances of getting future tickets.  We had to email Arsenal to advise them of ‘an incident involving Police’ and Arsenal have replied.
We are currently following our club procedures and a ban may be required.
Please will all members be aware that their actions can have consequences for this Supporters Club and its members.

 CODE OF CONDUCT

Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club has a Zero Tolerance Policy towards any member using match tickets or facilities such as coach travel arranged by ASSC, that behaves in a way that is likely to damage the great reputation of either Arsenal Football Club or Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club.
Such behaviour includes, but is not limited to,
• Ejection from an any Arsenal match.
• Being refused admission to any Arsenal match.
• Being arrested at an Arsenal match.
• Being drunk and or disorderly while attending an Arsenal match.
• Being under the influence of banned substances (drugs) while attending an Arsenal match.
• Using excessive, offensive and directly aggressive language while attending an Arsenal match.
All members are reminded that what you do in your private lives has nothing to do with us, but the moment you carry one of our tickets, you have to be responsible for your actions.
Angela Kidd
Club Secretary
Arsenal Scotland

Club Secretary Angela Kidd

To all Arsenal Scotland members

We are very pleased to confirm that following the election which took place prior to the AGM, Angela Kidd is our Club Secretary from 1st August 2023 

clubsecretary@arsenalscotland.com

In effect Angela is in charge of Arsenal Scotland and is the principal point of contact between the membership, Arsenal FC and our Honorary President Bob Wilson. We delayed this announcement a little so that we could first formally introduce Angela to Bob Wilson. 

Angela will provide support to the Chairman, the ticket team and the full management committee.

Congratulations Angela!

COYG!
Victory Through Harmony. 

Martin O’Donnell

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu

Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you

Afternoon JockGooners,

As this is my last day as Club Secretary before handing over to Angela Kidd, I just want to say that I feel we have done a decent job over the last two years, in particular we made a few admin changes, sorted out a few minor problems and put the Club back on a firm footing. We are held in high regard at Arsenal Football Club and we aim to keep it that way.
Huge thanks especially to Chris Alexander, Alan Speed, Mike Buchanan, Tich Wighton, Peter Burnhill, Dave Harrold and the full management committee, and not forgetting John ‘Smiler’ Findlay in London 😁.
Also a big ‘thank you’ and well done for the four who recently stood for Club Secretary. It takes a brave person to step out from the crowd. Gav Glover, Angela Kidd, Neil Paterson and Gareth Wardlaw.
As a parting message I will hope that more members think about taking an active role in Arsenal Scotland. Its the best way to keep the club healthy and not leaving it to the auld yins to do everything.
And do remember to come forward with suggestions on charity donations and club events as noted in my last email.
See you behind the goals!
COYG!
Martin

Membership Renewals & Match Tickets

21st June 2023

Update From Club Secretary

Important announcement for all existing 2022-23 members of Arsenal Scotland

Chris, Mike, Tich, Peter, Dave and I attended a virtual Zoom call along with over 50 others from Arsenal Supporters Clubs to meet with Arsenal FC on Monday 19th June.

We are duty bound to advise all members of Arsenal Scotland about the changes Arsenal FC are making with respect to how all UK Domestic Supporters Clubs have access to Home and Away match tickets from next season onwards. 

The indications have been there for some time but now it is clear that Arsenal require that every person attending a match home and away must be a fully paid member of Arsenal. 

That is Red, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Disability Access, Junior Gunner, Cannon or Senior Citizen memberships.

Digital technology has advanced sufficiently that Arsenal are now confident that every ticket can and shall be traced to an individual member. Liverpool and Man United have already taken this step in recent years. 

What will this mean for ASSC? 

ASSC can still apply for block bookings for all home games (6 maximum next season) and for all away games (variable depending where we are playing). However, any tickets which ASSC purchase must be assigned to a full Arsenal membership.

The stark facts are that ASSC members who wish to apply for full ticket access through ASSC will first need to take out an Arsenal membership directly with Arsenal. 

For example, Red Membership which is currently £34 per season. 

It’s not what we would like but it will not change.  

Please Do Not Pay ASSC for an Arsenal Membership – We cannot apply for you.

Of course many of you already have an Arsenal Membership. If you do not then please go to

https://www.arsenal.com/membership

The other benefits of an Arsenal Membership would remain for members. And of course each member could make use of the ticket exchange system.

Full ASSC membership

Fees for renewal will remain at the same level as they have for the past twelve seasons.

You can renew to Membership Manager Mike Buchanan as you have done previously. ASSC

Full Members will be required to provide confirmation of their Arsenal membership number when renewing their ASSC membership. 

ASSC Adult Social membership

Those who do not wish to apply for tickets can renew at £5;  they are NOT required to have an Arsenal Membership.

Those who have already renewed with ASSC this Summer can, of course, request a full refund or a partial refund if they wish to convert to being Social members. To do either of these please contact Membership Manager Mike Buchanan to confirm your preference. If you do require a refund please make this clear and please provide your bank details and we will arrange refunds ASAP.

NB: Those already renewed and wishing to request tickets will also need to obtain an Arsenal membership as described above and provide their new Arsenal membership number to Mike. 

Questions?

Any questions are best directed to myself Martin O’Donnell by email

or Tich Wighton by email

so leaving Mike to deal with the renewals.

Renewals are now open again until 30th June 2023.

New ASSC members? We have not yet decided on this and will announce in July. 

Right, I need to go and get a Red Membership!

COYG!
Victory Through Harmony. 
 
Martin O’Donnell
Club Secretary 
Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club 

Reminder on Renewal of Membership

Renewals

Members are reminded, as notified by the Club Secretary in email sent on Sunday, 28th May, all Arsenal Scotland memberships end on midnight 30th June.

Renewals are not automatic. Anyone wishing to continue as a member, Social or Full, must confirm that they wish to renew by that date, 30th June, by sending. a text to our Membership Manager, Mike Buchanan, stating your name and your existing membership squad number; the names and squad numbers of family should be listed for family membership.  

If you are late with your renewal for any reason, you will need to reapply as a new member at the new member rate. (Note also that such application has to be made before 31st July 2023.

Annual General Meeting

AGM

We are very pleased to announce that the AGM for Arsenal Scotland will be held ‘In person’ in Glasgow on Saturday 22nd July at 3.00pm to 4.30pm.

Our last planned ’ In person’ AGM was in Aberdeen in 2019, then Covid hit us in 2020 preventing a gathering and the next two Annual General Meetings in 2021 and 2022, were held virtually. At this time we have no plans to include ‘virtual attendance’ at this year’s AGM.

Instead, the venue will be the Committee Room No.9 (Upstairs) at 18 John Street, Glasgow.

A full buffet will be provided, together with a ‘free welcome drink’ for each member attending – that’s one voucher only 😉

All Members and selected guests are welcome, please come along – and do please let us know in advance so we can do the catering 🙂

COYG!
Victory Through Harmony.
Martin O’Donnell
Club Secretary
Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club

Upcoming Fixtures & Ticket Information

Fellow members:

As this season moves towards its finale, andone which we all hope will be a huge success for Arsenal, here is some important information about requests for the remaining match ticket, including the deadlines for making requests.
Please note: TICKETS ARE FOR MEMBERS ONLY. 
This means:
  • MEMBERSHIP CARDS ARE REQUIRED AS ID WHEN TICKETS ARE HANDED OVER
  • NO TICKETS WILL BE POSTED IN ADVANCE UNLESS SPECIFICALLY ARRANGED
The following deadline dates will not change even if the actual fixture dates are changed for TV purposes. In match-date order, the fixtures and corresponding deadlines are:
 
Man City Away – Fixture 26th April  Tier 1 match 
All Tiers may apply however Tier 1 members are drawn as priority.
Deadline date 29th March 3.00pm
* Window now open
 
Chelsea Home – Fixture 29th April  Tier 1 match 
All Tiers may apply however Tier 1 members are drawn as priority.
Deadline date 1st April 3.00pm
* Window now open
 
Newcastle Away – Fixture 6th May  Tier 1 match 
All Tiers may apply however Tier 1 members are drawn as priority.
Deadline date 8th April 3.00pm
* Window now open
 
Brighton Home – Fixture 13th May Tier 1&2 match 
All Tiers may apply however Tier 1 and Tier 2 members are drawn as priority.
Window open 1st April to Deadline date 15th April 3.00pm
 
Nottingham Forest Away – Fixture 20th May  Tier 1, 2 and 3 
All Tiers may apply.
Window open 8th April to Deadline date 22nd April 3.00pm
 
Wolves Home – Fixture 28th May
All Tiers may apply however Tier 1 and Tier 2 members are drawn as priority.
Window open 16th April to Deadline date 30th April 3.00pm

Arsenal’s Top Four at The Willow’s

Arsenal Sweeps In As Winners

Arsenal Scotland Supporters Club is delighted to share the praise given to the winners of the London Football Awards, as hosted by The Willow Foundation on 13th March.

That the awards for Manager, Player, Young Player and Goalkeeper all went to Arsenal’s Fab Four is both impressive and well deserved.

But we are  just as happy to see that The Willow Foundation maintains its high profile, as it should do, inspired by Megs Wilson and our club Honorary President Bob Wilson.

The Willow Foundation provides Special Days and Treats for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds. Bob, of course, is an Arsenal Legend who represented Scotland as goalkeeper.

Arsenal Scotland are proud to be associated with Bob and over some 15 years, our club have raised and donated around £40,000 to the Willow Foundation.

Martin, Club Secretary

Scam Ticket Alert 

Scam Ticket Alert 

We have had report of a ticket scam for Home matches for some of our members.

The supposed sellers, making out that they were from another Supporters Club [*], ask for a deposit which they then don’t refund.

If you have been affected by this, please contact Martin, our Club Secretary:

clubsecretary@arsenalscotland.com 

* We would like to thank the Arsenal West Midlands Supporters Club for alerting us to this.