Message From The Chairman

As a club we believe it is appropriate for Supporters Clubs to become officially affiliated. This enables us to ensure Clubs receive the many associated benefits to being a member. The following booklet allows you to register officially and explains how to form an Official Supporters Club if you are wishing to do so. Arsenal Supporters Clubs have always enjoyed their independence; hosting their own social events and planning their own match days of course and being affiliated will in no way prevent you from enjoying your own individual approach to your Supporters Clubs. Many thanks for your continued marvellous support.

I think it is remarkable that our institution here at Emirates can engender a common bond between supporters from so many different towns, cities, countries even continents. It is an extraordinary and unique bond.

Arsenal Supporters Clubs have existed throughout the UK, and beyond, for decades and I have been fortunate enough to speak to members of many different Clubs in many different places, all of whom have shown admirable enthusiasm and knowledge of this great football club.

What better way of showing your heart-felt support for Arsenal Football Club than being part of an Official Supporters Club?

To bring together like-minded Arsenal Supporters in the region to be covered by the Supporters Club. Due to the very high demand for tickets at Emirates Stadium, regrettably the number of tickets available to Supporters Clubs is extremely limited. The main purpose for setting up a Supporters Club should not be for obtaining match tickets.

Reasons For Setting Up A Supporters Club

Follow the Constitutional Procedures set out below: o o o Form a Committee comprising: Chairperson Secretary Treasurer

To establish and operate a Supporters Club you will need to be aware of the following requirements:
Consist of at least fifty (50) members. These members are to determine who will first fill the role of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer prior to an application being made to establish a Supporters Club. A Supporters Club must:

Submit two personal character references for the members who will be filling these three key positions, from an employer or professional person of some standing in the community.

Not be set up within a fifty (50) mile radius of another Supporters Clubs, other than in exceptional circumstances. Arsenals decision on this matter will be final. Not poach members from an existing Supporters Clubs.

References must be in letter form and include contact details of the person giving a reference (ie address and telephone number) Faxed or email copies of the letter will not be accepted. The letter must be signed. The signature cannot be scanned onto the letter. Other positions on the Committee are at the discretion of the Supporters Club. All positions are to be Honourary. Committee members must submit themselves for re-election at least every two years.

Draw up Rules and Regulations for approval by the members, a copy of which should be sent to Arsenal. Charge a membership fee to cover the costs of running a Supporters Club, such as: Postage Telephone Meeting room hire Production of Membership Cards

Hold Annual General Meetings to which all members must be invited to attend. Arsenal to be advised of the date at least twenty one (21) days before the meeting. Arsenal reserve the right to send a representative to the Meeting. Minutes of the Meeting are to be submitted to Arsenal within six (6) weeks of the Meeting.

Hold at least three (3) Committee Meetings per season, the dates of which should be sent to the Supporters Liaison Officer. Arsenal reserve the right to send a representative to any meeting. Notes of the meeting should be available for inspection upon request.

Put in place the following financial arrangements:

Such fee to be decided by the committtee and approved by members of the Annual General Meeting.

Whole committe to be responsible for Supporters Club funds.

Bank of Building Society Account to be opened in the name of the Supporters Clubs

Cheques to have two (2) signatories. One must be the Treasurer and the other a nominated Committee Member. Credit or Debit cards must be in the name of a nominated representative of the Club as agreed by the Committee. The account must be in the name of the Supporters Club.

Accounts must be kept and the Treasurer is to be responsible for keeping the accounts up to date. The Accounts must be submitted at the Annual General Meeting for the members approval. At the end of the financial year a copy of the Accounts must be forwarded to Arsenal, who reserve the right to carry out spot checks to ensure the information is correct.

By 31st October each year, Arsenal must be in the possession of the AGM minutes from the previous season, the accounts from the previous season and a list of current names and addresses of your members.

Records and receipts must be kept and be made available for inspection by Arsenal on request.

Name of Supporters Club and Supporters Club Crest

Supporters Clubs will bear the name of the area / country they represent, i.e. Arsenal Russia, Arsenal Bedford etc. The name designated will be at the discretion of Arsenal.

All Supporters Clubs will be required to use the Official Supporters Club Crest to allow easy indentification, standardise the Supporters Clubs and clearly show that they are officially recognised by Arsenal. For Example:

Ways in Which Arsenal Will Be Seeking Assistance From Supporters Clubs

Supporters Clubs to:

Have access to a minimum of one computer. At least two representatives of the Club must be able to access the Extranet and it is the responsibility of those people to keep their club informed of any news alerts. Assist with supporter data capture. All Clubs will be required to provide Arsenal with the names, addresses and contact details of all its members by 31st October each season, sent to SLO. (All information supplied to Arsenal is treated confidentially and is governed by the Data Protection Act.) Proactively promote Arsenal products and services on behalf of the Club.

The official Arsenal Crest cannot be used at anytime.

Supporters Clubs will be given the choice of Red, Gold or Black for their Club Crest.

Assist Arsenal in extending the Clubs worldwide Supporter base.

Extranet for the exclusive use of Supporters Clubs, to enable easy contact with members of their Club, ticket ordering facility, forum and news board, etc. Exclusive events for Supporters Clubs Direct communication channels to Arsenal through the Supporters Liaison Officer

Dedicated section on www.arsenal.com listing contact details of Supporters Clubs

Use of the official Supporters Clubs personalised crest, in a choice of three colours, on headed paper, membership cards, etc.

20% discount on all official Arsenal merchandise purchased in bulk through Arsenals Home Shopping Facility. It will be for Supporters Clubs to decide whether to pass this discount on in its entirety to its members or to offer a percentage discount with the difference being retained to help finance the Supporters Club. Any monies accrued in this way will need to be recorded in the Annual Accounts.

Benefits to Running a Supporters Club

Opportunity to present Player of the Year Award to nominated player. (Clubs chosen by ballot) Club Culture page in the Match Programme for the exclusive use of Supporters Clubs Stadium Tours for group visits at times not normally available for Tours Twice yearly meetings of nominated representatives of Supporters Clubs with Arsenal official(s).

Opportunity to produce own personalised merchandise using the official Supporters Club crest, subject to Arsenal approval.

Supporters Clubs will be able to operate their own Websites but these will be monitored by Arsenal and there will be restrictions regarding the use of the Arsenal Crest, advertising, use of Club photos etc.

Supporters Clubs Own Websites

How To Contact Arsenal:

Arsenal has ensured that communication between Arsenal and the Supporters Clubs is hassle free by providing a range of contact channels as detailed below: By telephone: Supporters Club Hotline + 44 (0) 207 704 4949 By email: jsmith@arsenal.co.uk

Weekends: Only when Arsenal are at home from 10:00 am until 1 hour before kick-off on the day of the match.

Office Hours: Monday Friday: 9:30 am 5:00 pm (Mid week match days until 1 hour before kickoff)

By post: Supporters Club Liaison Officer Arsenal Football Club Highbury House 75 Drayton Park London N5 1BU England

By fax: + 44 (0) 207 704 4161

How To Get Started

Complete the Application Form enclosed with this booklet and send to the following address, together with the required references and a list giving the names and addresses of at least 50 people who have indicated that they would join your Supporters Club: Supporters Club Liaison Officer Arsenal Football Club Highbury House 75 Drayton Park London N5 1BU England

Please remember that the Supporters Liaison Officer at Arsenal is available during office hours to deal with any queries or questions regarding establishing a Supporters Club and will be there to offer support once a Club has been establsihed.

Disclaimer:

It is a strict condition of the acceptance procedure that:

1) You agree that you shall not personally or through the Supporters Club represent yourself as in anyway connected with Arsenal Football Club PLC London England or any of its group companies. 2) You shall not attempt to enter into any agreement on its / their behalf;

Please note: Arsenal reserves he right, at its sole discretion, at anytime, to change these terms and conditions; terminate these arrangements without notice; amend the Rules and Regulations of your Supporters Club.

4) You shall confirm annually to the Supporters Club Liaison Officer (SCLO) that these requirements have been complied with. You shall notify the SCLO of your web address as soon as possible and you shall provide the SCLO with sample letterheads, faxes of other documents if requested to do so for inspection purposes.

3) You shall display the Disclaimer in a prominent position on all Supporters Clubs communications including letters, faxes, emails and websites as follows: The Arsenal Supporters Club is independent for Arsenal Football Club PLC (Company number 109244) London England and all of its associated and group companies and has no authority to bind, contract, negotiate and its behalf or otherwise represent itself as connected in anyway with it.

Please complete this Application Form in BLOCK CAPITALS and BLACK INK and return it to the Supporters Liaison Officer, together with the required references and the names and adddresses of at least 50 people who have indicated that they will join your Club.