YAMACAST Episode 2: The one with the supporter’s groups

Well it certainly has been a week to remember (or forget depending on your point of view.) Last week saw a miserable defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champion’s League and but ended in a (you fill in your own adjective here) win over visitors Aston Villa.
The loss capped off what looks to be the crashing out of another cup competition and came right on the heels of the FA Cup flare out. The losses together created a backlash of epic proportions. Not that the frustration wasn’t already at crescendo levels, but the results again opened the doors to further and louder questions to be asked.
The biggest reaction came from the suporter groups, most notably the Arsenal Supporter’s Trust or AST (of which I am a member) who called openly for change at the board level to begin overhauling how this club is run. The AST did not call for Wenger’s ouster as has been reported. Nor has the other active group, Black Scarf Movement (BSM.) Both of these groups have individual goals, but collectively try as best they can to represent supporters to the club.
This week we talk to leaders of three of the supporters groups – Tim Payton from AST, Kelvin from BSM, and Ray from Red Action. Red Action if you haven’t heard of them, are a group of individuals who want to create and improve the atmosphere at matchdays. They are responsible for such things as the huge banner that was unfurled at the start of the Champion’s League match.
Together these three groups have had interactions with the club and whether the club is only “humouring” them or is actively interested in their POV, they are engaged with the groups. We explore that relationship and touch on points that even the non-member will find interesting.
Following up our conversation with the Supporter’s Groups we also spend some time with Matt Law, chief football correspondent of the Sunday Mirror. We focus on the week that was and specifcally focus on Jack Wilshere’s rising presence at the club, his desire to play more and more as well as that Arsene Wenger press conference. You know the one, where he finally got cheesed off at a reporter.
The pod opens with a bit of a rant (and makes this whole episode longer than I had hoped). My apologies for that. I always want to keep these things to under an hour but I went on my intro and well – I free formed it for about 20 mins. So you’ll either find that bit very imformative or you may tell me – Michael – shut it, as some are apt to do on a regular occassion.
Your feedback on the first episode was very much appreciated and we’ve tried to make some of the tweaks you suggested. We’ll welcome more (please be sensible). Also if there is anyone you’d like us to interview in the coming weeks (knowing that the club is likely off limits) let us know, we’ll do what we can. Additionally, if there are topics you want covered, let us know and we’ll be sure to cover them
Thank you again for your support.