Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting.
Wednesday 30 July 2014. 7.00pm – 10.15pm
Nabarro LLP, Lacon House, 84 Theobald’s Road, London
THST Board: Darren Howlett, Katrina Law, Adam Bailey, Ellie Kershaw, Martin Cloake, Paul Head, Suraj Sharma
Guests: Alan Landeryou, IT support, Sam Whiteman, Legal counsel
Wednesday 30 July 2014. 7.00pm – 10.15pm
Nabarro LLP, Lacon House, 84 Theobald’s Road, London
THST Board: Darren Howlett, Katrina Law, Adam Bailey, Ellie Kershaw, Martin Cloake, Paul Head, Suraj Sharma
Guests: Alan Landeryou, IT support, Sam Whiteman, Legal counsel
Minutes
1. WEBSITE
- THST is launching a new website (V2) w/c Monday 4th August
- Following a walk through of the site by project lead, SS, and a discussion around the technical capabilities including database integration and the payment portal, all Board members approved the new site
- The remaining work on the site required pre- launch was allocated to relevant Board members and should be completed by Sunday 3 August
- The new site (V2) allows a cleaner sign up / registration process, which is very much needed in order to continue to expand the membership base at above the current rate
- The site address will continue to be www.THSTOfficial.com
- It was agreed this will be a soft launch rather than one with fanfare and it was hoped our members would find the site easy to navigate than the current site (V1)
- A closed area for members was discussed, particularly for AGM information, and this is something we’ll look to develop for
V2.1
- Similarly, any forum or connected message board will be discussed for V2.1
2. FANS SURVEY RESULTS
- PH reported on top level results from the Fans Survey, which closed on Monday evening
- Some interesting themes were identified and the results provided a clear indication of THST’s campaigning priorities for 2014-15
- THST will make the results public on Monday 11 August and these will be issued to our members via email as well as being shared on the website and via social media
- MC and KL to draft Press Releases and liaise with the national and local media around key take out from the survey
- MC to pass relevant results onto Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation
- KL to follow up with THFC on date for debrief meeting around responses to specific ENIC/ Club questions
3. SURFING FLAG – TOP TEN DESIGNS
- KL shared the Surfing Flag survey with the Board, noting the high number of votes cast in the opening day (in excess of 2000)
- It was reminded that the designs were submitted by fans following a sustained period of promotion and that opinions would be subjective on the actual aesthetics of the designs
- The most positive take out was the response to the Flag question n the Fans Survey, where c 70% thought flags and banners made a positive contribution to match atmosphere
- The Surfing Flag poll closes on 11 August and the winning design will be put into production shortly afterwards
- THFC has agreed to underwrite the cost of the flag once again, which is welcomed
4. ROUND TABLE UPDATE – VARIOUS
TICKETING
- KL and MC noted there had been little movement in this area over the summer as prices were confirmed in April and ticketing windows had only reopened in late July
- KL to follow up with THFC on the COC/ UEL pricing for the forthcoming campaign, pushing for the £20/£10/£5 structure again
- The Stop StubHub campaign continued for this season, with added focus post Christmas as the current deal is due to expire in May
ATMOSPHERE
- THST facilitated a meeting with THFC re: the Drum returning to White Hart Lane. This is now agreed for selected Europa League
games in Block 35 for a trial period
- The growth of the 1882 movement and the support for a section where like-minded fans can sit together in the Fans Survey was mentioned as a definite plus in the attempts to improve atmosphere at games
- KL confirmed that the fan funded Bill Nicholson banner was due to be in place for the Schalke game and for the rest of the season on the Park Lane balcony
- The Surfing Flag is covered in the above point
SUPPORTERS DIRECT/ THE FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION
- MC confirmed that our relationship with both SD and the FSF was as strong as ever
- SD continued to provide sound advice and support and Amanda Jacks, case worker at the FSF, was singled out for her helpfulness and backing on several occasions over previous months
- It was noted that SD has agreed to formally facilitate the Premier League Trust Group and provide an ongoing secretariat for
this group
- MC, EK and KL debriefed the Board on the Supporters Summit at Wembley last weekend, also, touching on the workshops attended and key learnings from the event
COMMUNITY
- EK had attended a launch meeting for Retrofit Works at White Hart Lane, who had received a £6m advance for improving energy efficiency within the borough of Haringey. More details to follow on this and potential for THST involvement in terms of referrals
- EK had also been in touch with Co-op Energy (via Supporters Direct) regarding a ‘switching’ promotion. THST’s help in publicising this would bring in a modest fee per switcher. More details to follow
GOVERNMENT/ SELECT COMMITTEE
- PH updated the Board on the recent session with Clive Efford, MP, at the Houses of Parliament around fan representation. This was feeding into Labour’s policy for the General Election and majored on securing a fan on the Board of every professional football club in the country. More updates as and when this dialogue progressed further
FUNDRAISING
- 2 volunteers, Ryan Lewis and Gary Parker, climbed Mount Snowdon at the end of June, raising £340 for THST
- A 1984 UEFA Cup Shirt signed by 9 players was donated by Trust Member, Darren Sheen, and auctioned off at the end of July, raising £330 for THST
- There were plans for an event in Hertfordshire with one or two ‘Legends’ in late October/ early November. This was at the initial planning stage at the moment and members would be informed as soon as confirmed
- Other potential events were mooted with more details to follow
FINANCES
- AB reported a year to date deficit for the finances
- Pushing subscription and increasing member numbers was key to reverse this
- SS explained the Official Supporters Club proposition and the potential income that could be generated from Club memberships should those who’ve expressed an interest convert to full members. DH and MC expressed their willingness to help
assist conversions.
- SS queried the expenses and explanations were given
- SS raised the issue of Life Memberships and it was agreed not to offer this for new members at present but to revisit in Q4 2014
- SS, MC and DH agreed to develop a new tier for corporate membership ahead of the Q4 Board Meeting
CPO/STADIUM
- The Board were pleased with the CPO decision on Archway Steel earlier in the month and looked forward to working closely with the Club and the local community over the coming months on the NDP. It was acknowledged this would be an enormous project for THST over the next few years
AOB
- KL confirmed there would be a Members Meeting with THFC’s Supporter Liaison Officer as a guest speaker towards the end of September. Full details would be distributed to members shortly
- KL confirmed the next Board Meeting would take place at the end of October 2014
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Board Meeting concluded at 10.15pm
- THST is launching a new website (V2) w/c Monday 4th August
- Following a walk through of the site by project lead, SS, and a discussion around the technical capabilities including database integration and the payment portal, all Board members approved the new site
- The remaining work on the site required pre- launch was allocated to relevant Board members and should be completed by Sunday 3 August
- The new site (V2) allows a cleaner sign up / registration process, which is very much needed in order to continue to expand the membership base at above the current rate
- The site address will continue to be www.THSTOfficial.com
- It was agreed this will be a soft launch rather than one with fanfare and it was hoped our members would find the site easy to navigate than the current site (V1)
- A closed area for members was discussed, particularly for AGM information, and this is something we’ll look to develop for
V2.1
- Similarly, any forum or connected message board will be discussed for V2.1
2. FANS SURVEY RESULTS
- PH reported on top level results from the Fans Survey, which closed on Monday evening
- Some interesting themes were identified and the results provided a clear indication of THST’s campaigning priorities for 2014-15
- THST will make the results public on Monday 11 August and these will be issued to our members via email as well as being shared on the website and via social media
- MC and KL to draft Press Releases and liaise with the national and local media around key take out from the survey
- MC to pass relevant results onto Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation
- KL to follow up with THFC on date for debrief meeting around responses to specific ENIC/ Club questions
3. SURFING FLAG – TOP TEN DESIGNS
- KL shared the Surfing Flag survey with the Board, noting the high number of votes cast in the opening day (in excess of 2000)
- It was reminded that the designs were submitted by fans following a sustained period of promotion and that opinions would be subjective on the actual aesthetics of the designs
- The most positive take out was the response to the Flag question n the Fans Survey, where c 70% thought flags and banners made a positive contribution to match atmosphere
- The Surfing Flag poll closes on 11 August and the winning design will be put into production shortly afterwards
- THFC has agreed to underwrite the cost of the flag once again, which is welcomed
4. ROUND TABLE UPDATE – VARIOUS
TICKETING
- KL and MC noted there had been little movement in this area over the summer as prices were confirmed in April and ticketing windows had only reopened in late July
- KL to follow up with THFC on the COC/ UEL pricing for the forthcoming campaign, pushing for the £20/£10/£5 structure again
- The Stop StubHub campaign continued for this season, with added focus post Christmas as the current deal is due to expire in May
ATMOSPHERE
- THST facilitated a meeting with THFC re: the Drum returning to White Hart Lane. This is now agreed for selected Europa League
games in Block 35 for a trial period
- The growth of the 1882 movement and the support for a section where like-minded fans can sit together in the Fans Survey was mentioned as a definite plus in the attempts to improve atmosphere at games
- KL confirmed that the fan funded Bill Nicholson banner was due to be in place for the Schalke game and for the rest of the season on the Park Lane balcony
- The Surfing Flag is covered in the above point
SUPPORTERS DIRECT/ THE FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION
- MC confirmed that our relationship with both SD and the FSF was as strong as ever
- SD continued to provide sound advice and support and Amanda Jacks, case worker at the FSF, was singled out for her helpfulness and backing on several occasions over previous months
- It was noted that SD has agreed to formally facilitate the Premier League Trust Group and provide an ongoing secretariat for
this group
- MC, EK and KL debriefed the Board on the Supporters Summit at Wembley last weekend, also, touching on the workshops attended and key learnings from the event
COMMUNITY
- EK had attended a launch meeting for Retrofit Works at White Hart Lane, who had received a £6m advance for improving energy efficiency within the borough of Haringey. More details to follow on this and potential for THST involvement in terms of referrals
- EK had also been in touch with Co-op Energy (via Supporters Direct) regarding a ‘switching’ promotion. THST’s help in publicising this would bring in a modest fee per switcher. More details to follow
GOVERNMENT/ SELECT COMMITTEE
- PH updated the Board on the recent session with Clive Efford, MP, at the Houses of Parliament around fan representation. This was feeding into Labour’s policy for the General Election and majored on securing a fan on the Board of every professional football club in the country. More updates as and when this dialogue progressed further
FUNDRAISING
- 2 volunteers, Ryan Lewis and Gary Parker, climbed Mount Snowdon at the end of June, raising £340 for THST
- A 1984 UEFA Cup Shirt signed by 9 players was donated by Trust Member, Darren Sheen, and auctioned off at the end of July, raising £330 for THST
- There were plans for an event in Hertfordshire with one or two ‘Legends’ in late October/ early November. This was at the initial planning stage at the moment and members would be informed as soon as confirmed
- Other potential events were mooted with more details to follow
FINANCES
- AB reported a year to date deficit for the finances
- Pushing subscription and increasing member numbers was key to reverse this
- SS explained the Official Supporters Club proposition and the potential income that could be generated from Club memberships should those who’ve expressed an interest convert to full members. DH and MC expressed their willingness to help
assist conversions.
- SS queried the expenses and explanations were given
- SS raised the issue of Life Memberships and it was agreed not to offer this for new members at present but to revisit in Q4 2014
- SS, MC and DH agreed to develop a new tier for corporate membership ahead of the Q4 Board Meeting
CPO/STADIUM
- The Board were pleased with the CPO decision on Archway Steel earlier in the month and looked forward to working closely with the Club and the local community over the coming months on the NDP. It was acknowledged this would be an enormous project for THST over the next few years
AOB
- KL confirmed there would be a Members Meeting with THFC’s Supporter Liaison Officer as a guest speaker towards the end of September. Full details would be distributed to members shortly
- KL confirmed the next Board Meeting would take place at the end of October 2014
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Board Meeting concluded at 10.15pm
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