David Dein receives a cheque of £30,000 for the Arsenal team's sporting behaviour.
Fair Play to Gunners
Tuesday, 24 August 2004.
At Arsenal’s opening home game of the season against Middlesbrough Football Club, Arsenal Vice-Chairman David Dein was presented with two cheques totalling £50,000 by the FA Premier League for the Club and its supporters for finishing top of the 2003/2004 Fair Play Tables.
Prize money of £30,000 has been awarded to the Club for the team’s sporting behaviour last term and the other £20,000 has been given for ‘behaviour of the public’ to the Arsenal supporters.
All of the money received will be distributed back to the supporters through a series of initiatives including a voucher scheme which will feature in the Arsenal match-day programme against Charlton Athletic on Saturday October 2nd.
Fans who buy the programme will find a free £1 voucher inside for refreshments offered in the stadium or for use in the Club shops. The remaining £20,000 will be set aside for match-day initiatives coordinated by supporters’ group, REDaction.
Club Captain Patrick Vieira enthused: "This team has a fantastic spirit and really respects the way the game should be played. The award is an indication of how deeply a sense of sportsmanship runs through the Club – not just on the pitch, but off the pitch too. I’m delighted the money can be used by fans to cheer us on even more this season."
Arsenal Vice-Chairman, David Dein said: "Winning the Fair Play accolade fills us with much satisfaction. We pride ourselves on acting in a sporting and proper manner and to finish top of the Fair Play League demonstrably illustrates that we respect the game and have a desire to win matches in the right way.
"Congratulations must also go to our fans, they really are an inspiration to the team and a credit to the Club. We’re delighted to give this money back to them as reward and thanks for supporting the Club and inspiring the team onto great things."
The tables are compiled from marks awarded by The FA Premier League Match Delegates. Fans are awarded 10 points per match for their behaviour whilst teams are awarded points for positive play and respect towards opponents amongst other categories.