LONDON -- Arsenal's smaller shareholders showed an unprecedented level of discontent with the club's board of directors by voting against the re-election of chairman Sir Chips Keswick and board member Josh Kroenke.
Both were still re-elected thanks to the majority vote held by majority shareholder Stan Kroenke -- Josh's father -- but only after the smaller shareholders forced two separate paper poll votes by voting against the resolutions with a show of hands.
While the combined votes from the individual shareholders amounts to less than three percent, it was a symbolic victory for those who feel frustrated with a perceived lack of progress at the club.
Key fan group Arsenal Supporters' Trust (AST) had issued a call for all shareholders to vote against the resolutions, arguing that the board needs more diversity and truly "independent" directors.
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AST spokesman Tim Payton said it was the first time ever that shareholders had forced a poll vote by voting down the board's proposal at an annual general meeting.
The decision also caused around a 30-minute break in the meeting as the votes were cast and counted.
However, club secretary David Miles announced the result before the full number of votes against were counted, saying: "It is evident the resolution will carry."
Miles said the total vote tally would be announced later.
Source: espn.co.uk