
It’s been another busy fortnight for THST, with some positive results for our members. We have updates on the following:
The Y word, Rearrangement of the Stoke match, Members database, SGM, The atmosphere at White Hart Lane, Marketing
We’re still awaiting the CPS decision, originally due on 18/11/13 and now pushed back to 23/12/13, regarding the fan arrested at the West Ham game in October. This will show us if the Met’s interpretation of “Yid” as a ‘hate word’ is actually a prosecutable offence.
THST will check Greater Manchester Police’s stance on the subject ahead of our trip to Manchester City on 24/11/13.
Plus, we continue to support fans issued with warnings for using the Y Word at home games, offering legal advice via our recommended solicitor. We also support those dealing with THFC in terms of negotiating / appealing stadium
bans, with one successfully reversed following the Sheriff home game on 07/11/13.
We've been asked to participate in a panel debate at Reading University around the history and use of the Y Word, too.
2. Rearrangement of the Stoke match and wider ticketing
THFC has confirmed to us why the home game v Stoke City was moved back a day to 29/12/13, four days after putting the tickets on sale to members. We registered our dissatisfaction with THFC and they explained this was due to a mutual wish from both clubs for a more even spread of fixtures over a busy Christmas period.
The request had been logged with the Premier League in the summer, but the decision was only made on 08/11/13.
THST has corresponded with the Premier League asking for an explanation. The Premier League stated they were unable to grant permission for a date change before the TV selections had been made. However, TV games for this period were
announced on 09/10/13; a month prior to the decision being confirmed. THST has requested a further investigation from the Premier League and has also exchanged emails with The Football Supporters’ Federation on this topic.
The disregard for fans’ travel arrangements and costs incurred on non-refundable trips was the particularly distressing aspect of this decision, seemingly made with no thought for supporters whatsoever. THST is, however, interested to learn of the subsequent refunds offered by THFC, on a discretionary basis, as an ex gratia gesture of goodwill to those able to provide evidence of non-refundable travel booked prior to 08/11/13. Fans should email customer.care@TottenhamHotspur.com for further details.
THST has written to the Premier League to ask for the reasoning behind our home games v Newcastle and Manchester United being scheduled as Sunday Midday kick offs. The distance for travelling fans is a concern and, indeed, for our own fans, many of whom travel from outside of London. We await a response
THST also chased THFC for the accumulative data from the StubHub platform so far this season. This has yet to arrive with us.
3. Members database
THST met with Alan Landeryou, Web and Database lead, on 11/11/13 to continue the work on the members section of the THST website and the members database.
Development work needs to take place to ensure THST can manage paid member registration as well as associate. This is being planned in for before Christmas.
4. Special General Meeting
THST continued to liaise with Supporters Direct and to work through the guidance notes provided for Friends and Industrial Provident Societies looking to hold elections via an SGM / AGM.
The timeline for the election process means the SGM won’t be taking place on 15/12/13, as originally hoped.
In order to allow sufficient time for an independent Election Management Group to be established, nominations to come in and be verified, manifestos to be produced, ballot papers to be distributed and proxy/ postal votes issued, a window of less than one month is unreasonable.
We will, therefore, be holding the SGM in late January, to ensure due process is followed and all full members are given the opportunity to stand for election, all associate members are given the opportunity to move to the paid option in order to stand or vote, and all full members unable to attend the SGM in person have the chance to vote by post / email or proxy.
We will ensure all members are issued with an official notice in due course.
In the meantime, anyone who would like to volunteer to be part of the Election Management Group (overseeing the election process), please contact Katrina.law@THSTOfficial.com
5. The atmosphere at White Hart Lane
As previously explained, one THST representative sits on the independent Atmosphere Group, alongside representatives from various podcasts, blogs, websites etc. This is not solely a Trust initiative, but a combined working party from across the Spurs fanbase.
The Group are always looking for new members who are willing to contribute their time and ideas. If this is of interest to you, please email info@THSTOfficial.com in the first instance.
The surfing flag referred to in the last update was granted permission for use inside White Hart Lane by the Safety Advisory Board / Haringey Council on 05/11/13.
The independent Atmosphere Group invited fans to submit their designs by 16/11/13. The designs have been included in an online poll for all fans to vote on over a two-week period. The winning design will then be put into production.
Flag designs can be viewed and votes can be placed here before 06/12/13: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9M3YC57
Donations for the Balcony Banner featuring the Bill Nicholson quote are still welcomed via PayPal under treasurer@THSTOfficial.com. Roughly £150 is still required for this banner.
The Atmosphere Group will be meeting with THFC over the next fortnight to discuss pre match entertainment, also.
6. Marketing
THST met with James Lapwood on 06/11/13 to discuss marketing communications, to better articulate the work undertaken by THST and how to better engage with its members moving forward.
James is working on some ideas to maximise our reach and the effectiveness of our communications.
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