Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust
  • About us
  • THST News
  • Membership
  • Campaigns
  • Contact
  • AGM
  • Cycle On You Spurs
  • Forum

Remembering Jonathan Waite

19/11/2018

 
Picture

​When Trust Joint-Chair, Darren Alexander, passed away suddenly in March 2014, it was Jonathan Waite who wrote the Club’s obituary. It was Jonathan Waite who hung the ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ flag at the Benfica match in his memory. And it was Jonathan Waite who let the Trust into White Hart Lane early to lay flowers at his seat. Jonathan’s kindness, empathy and support at that difficult time was a measure of his character. It’s incomprehensible that, four and a half years on, we’re now writing this for Jonathan. 

We’ve not quite taken in the devastating news of Jonathan’s passing yet. As co-chairs of the Spurs Trust, we were in touch with Jonathan in his capacity of Head of Supporter Services at the Club on a daily basis for many, many years. As was so often the case with JW, what started out as a purely working relationship developed into a strong and valued friendship.
 
It was impossible not to like, respect and get on with JW. He dealt with every challenge - and there were many - with patience and good humour. He believed in fan consultation and he also worked hard to make fan reps aware of the way the Club operated. He listened and he advised and guided, and we learned so much from him. Simply put, he just ‘got it’.
 
It’s hard to think of Jonathan without thinking of laughter. He had a great sense of humour, and an unrivalled knowledge of popular culture. Many a conversation was peppered with references to 80's music and vintage TV sitcoms.
 
Jonathan made time for and cared about people. He brought them together. He was a modest man but was so proud when his work was recognised by the Football Supporters Federation as Supporter Liaison Officer of the Year in 2016. Almost as proud as we were having nominated him for the award!

What’s become even more apparent over the past few hours is just how valued, liked and well-thought of Jonathan was right across the football community. We’ve been contacted by numerous Trust members and Spurs fans saddened by the news and wanting to pass on their condolences; many of whom Jonathan had helped directly. And by fellow Trusts and fan groups at other Clubs, by the Football Supporters’ Federation and by the Premier League. Jonathan’s impact was far reaching, as was his reputation as an effective, smart, committed and honest operator.
 
JW was a huge part of Spurs for us. You may say he leaves big shoes to fill. The truth is they may as well make new shoes as no-one will ever come close to that. We were extremely lucky to have had him on loan from his beloved QPR for all these years. And he will be deeply missed.
 
We’ll carry on working hard to build a legacy worthy of Jonathan and send all of our love, best wishes and thoughts to his family, colleagues and friends at this extremely difficult time.

CSWY. 
 
 
 
Kat Law and Martin Cloake
Co-chairs, THST

 
 


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Against Franchise Football
    Atmosphere
    Away Fans
    Board
    Community
    Competitions
    Controlled Parking Zone
    Events
    Financial Results
    Football Without Fans Is Nothing
    Fundraising
    Legal
    Pricing
    Safe Standing
    Safety & Policing
    Season At Wembley
    Stadium
    Stop Stubhub
    Surveys
    THST Updates
    Ticket Exchange
    Ticketing
    Twenty's Plenty
    White Hart Lane

    THST News

    Keep up to date with the latest News from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust

    JOIN    THST

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust

About Us
Membership

FAQs
Acknowledgements
Contact
Policies
Picture
As a voluntary, independent, not-for-profit organisation, THST relies solely on membership fees and donations to cover our running costs. All donations help us to deliver more for our members. 
Affiliate members of:
Picture
 © 2014 THST - All rights reserved