 | Updates on: - Tottenham Hotspur’s Transfer Window - Match day price protests: FSF National weekend of action - Olympic Stadium: THST backs calls for a public inquiry into LLDC/ WHU deal - Norwich parachute payments and ticket price lobbying - Capital One Cup Third Round v Arsenal – ticketing and allocation - StubHub Corporate Social Responsibility project - Living Wage: session with Frank Field MP - THST Members meeting - Sheffield FC - Shadowing match day security - Safety Advisory Group work |
Other:
- THST Database upgrade work
- THST Board Meetings – 2/ 24 September
- THST/ THFC Board to Board Meeting – 29 September
Media:
- The Spurs Show – 17 August
- Article: THST and Spurs Transfer Policy for the Fighting Cock
- Haringey Independent – Survey findings
1. TRANSFER WINDOW
As the transfer window closed we put out a statement reflecting the concerns of many fans about the strength in depth of our squad.
While we don't comment on individual transfers or on-pitch matters relating to individual players, we do comment on general issues such as investment, transfer policy and the competitiveness of the squad. This, after all, has a direct impact on the core of why we are all fans, and is the reason we pay the money we do.
We are always careful to take a measured approach that reflects a broad range of views and promotes constructive dialogue.
We recognise that every detail of the Club's transfer negotiations cannot be made public, and that there will always be a variety of opinions about individual transfers, players and policy. But we believe loyal supporters, including those who spend large amounts of money to watch the team, are entitled to ask questions and receive clear and credible answers from the Club board.
We'd also like to thank the many members who contacted us expressing support after the Trust had been subjected to some, frankly, unacceptable abuse in the immediate aftermath of the transfer window.
2. MATCH DAY PRICE PROTESTS: FSF NATIONAL WEEKEND OF ACTION - 3/4 OCTOBER
The Football Supporters’ Federation has called a weekend of action for October 3 and 4 for nationwide demonstrations over ticket pricing.
Tottenham Hotspur play Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium at 4pm on Sunday 4 October in a televised match and THST will be co-ordinating a demonstration before and during the game.
We’d encourage as many of our travelling fans as possible to bring banners to the match reflecting their feelings on ticket prices – keep the content clean, though!
Fans wanting advice on how to get more involved with the protests, please email us on info@THSTOfficial.com.
3. OLYMPIC STADIUM: THST BACKS CALLS FOR A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO LLDC/WHU DEAL
THST joined forces with fan organisations from Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, AFC Wimbledon and QPR last month to launch a petition on the No 10 site demanding a public inquiry into the deal for the Olympic Stadium between the London Legacy Development Corporation and West Ham United Football Club.
THST issued a statement on 19 August, along with a press release from the coalition of London fan groups, which can be read here.
The petition required 10,000 signatures to receive a response from the Government and reached that total in under a day. We have today (3 September) received a response which the coalition is currently considering. 100,000 signatures are required before the issue is considered for discussion in Parliament. At the time of writing, the petition has over 24,000 signatures and we urge you to add your name to those from inside and outside of the football world calling for transparency around this deal.
The petition can be signed here.
The initiative has also attracted support from fan organisations at Aston Villa, Leicester City, Manchester United, Norwich City and Everton – underlining the fact that this is not about tribal rivalry, but about the use of public money to provide competitive advantage. Each club whose fans supported the coalition is affected in a different way by the Olympic Stadium deal and, of course, we are all taxpayers so it was entirely right for THST to accept the invitation to join this unprecedented fan coalition.
A second press release was issued on 25 August.
The campaign has been picked up by a number of national newspapers and also by MPs and members of the Greater London Assembly.
4. NORWICH PARACHUTE PAYMENT AND TICKET PRICE LOBBYING
Along with other Premier League club Trusts and the Football Supporters’ Federation, we continue to press for the £24m of parachute payments that would have been paid to Norwich City had that club not been promoted to be used to fund reductions in the price of away tickets.
Full details of the national campaign on this issue can be read here.
We have written to THFC urging them to support this idea, and received a reply that says the Club would only be willing to act if all other clubs acted in the same way. The Premier League and the Club are also disputing the assertion that the £24m money that has gone back into the collective pot.
As we have said in our letter to the Club urging them to table and support an across the board reduction in prices, the practice of clubs and the Premier League deflecting responsibility must stop, and the warm words recognising that something needs to be done about ticket prices must be translated into action.
We do not want to keep hearing why measures can’t be taken, we want to hear how measures can be implemented.
5. CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND v ARSENAL – ticketing and allocation
As always, THST contacted THFC immediately after the draw for the Third Round of the Capital One Cup to push for competitive pricing for One Hotspur members for the home tie v Arsenal. As one of the first two home cup games of the campaign, this match is included in the Season Ticket package for ST Holders.
Rules for the League Cup state that pricing has to be mutually agreed between both the home and away clubs, as opposed to being a solely home club decision. THST was assured THFC understood our position in terms of ensuring this game was reasonably priced in order to make it as accessible as possible to members.
Following discussions with Arsenal and consultation with THST, prices for this match have been set at £25 for Adults, £10 for Seniors and £5 for Juniors.
As regards the away allocation for this fixture, THST is very familiar with the historic issues around allocations at North London derbies. League Cup rules state that up to 10% of accommodation has to be handed over to away supporters. THST urged THFC to ensure as many of our own fans as possible were able to attend what would be a very popular match.
The ultimate decision on the away allocation lies with Haringey Safety Advisory Group, the Metropolitan Police and THFC, who have offered Arsenal 3,000 tickets for this match.
We are aware the possible date options for this fixture fell on Yom Kippur and this was flagged with THFC. The decision to play the match on 23rd September was taken with this in mind but, ultimately, was the choice of broadcasters, with the match being televised by Sky. Feedback we received from supporters we spoke to suggested the 23rd was the ‘least worst’ option on which to play this tie.
6. STUBHUB CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
As stated in previous THST newsletters, news of the contract renewal for a further two years with StubHub in March was not one particularly welcomed by the Trust, having campaigned for an end to the partnership for the previous 18 months.
THST firmly believes a ticket exchange should be a service, not a revenue generator and continues to push for an ethical platform to be introduced, exchanging at face value only.
However, we were encouraged by securing further concessions on the site and by the agreement from StubHub to fund a Corporate Social Responsibility project with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
After asking for an update on this project, Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director at THFC, confirmed that “the relevant people on both sides have been working on an appropriate initiative and have now fixed upon a pre-apprenticeship programme. This will offer the most vulnerable young people in our communities access qualifications and pathways to employment. We are now working on the finer details and will announce the programme in due course. It's a really good programme so delighted we have them funding this”.
We also raised the question of Club tweets before the first two home games of the season urging Season Ticket holders to sell unwanted tickets on StubHub, asking how this fitted in with the reduced marketing we were told would be implemented. The Club said that StubHub branding on pre and post-match interviews and on pitch perimeter advertising had been removed and that it did still have a duty to tell fans the option existed. We noticed in subsequent tweets from the Club that advice to sell tickets at or around face value was included.
7. LIVING WAGE: SESSION WITH FRANK FIELD MP - 18 SEPTEMBER
THST has been invited to attend a discussion on the Living Wage by Frank Field MP at Portculis House, Westminster on 18 September. THST will be represented by Kevin Fitzgerald and Paul Head at this session.
Just to clarify, THFC pays all of its’ full time staff the Living Wage. The Club has also participated in discussions with all of its third party suppliers, including cleaning and catering contractors, and has a commitment from them to move towards paying their full time staff the Living Wage. In respect of the caterers this has been achieved mid contract.
The Club said that, unfortunately, owing to the large number of contractors and sub-contractors involved in the stadium build - upwards of 800 - it would be unfeasible and impractical to ensure all are paid the Living Wage.
We continue to discuss the detail of this campaign with fair pay campaigners and the Club.
8. THST MEMBERS’ MEETING
The next THST Members’ Meeting is being scheduled for mid to late October and will be held in Central London. The date and venue will be confirmed asap and we’ll be mailing our members with full details in due course.
9. SHEFFIELD FC
We sent a message of support and a £50 donation to Sheffield FC to back their efforts to return ‘home’. Sheffield FC is the world’s oldest football club and so occupies a historic place in our football culture. The club is crowdfunding a campaign to return to the ground where football was born, and details can be found on the campaign website. Fans across the world are asked to donate £1.
10. SHADOWING MATCH DAY SECURITY
THST Board Members will be shadowing the Club’s match day security team at four home matches this season. It’s hoped this will deepen understanding for both the Club and the Trust of issues that need to be dealt with on a match day at White Hart Lane, continuing the very positive work that has taken place in this area.
11. SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP WORK
We were pleased to see that our colleagues in the Spirit of Shankly Liverpool Supporters’ Union have secured formal representation on Liverpool City Council’s Safety Advisory Group. Information can be found here.
We’ve passed this information on to THFC. We’ve also opened discussions with the Club about the practical implications of securing representation on the Haringey Safety Advisory Group, and about how training to ensure fan reps can fully contribute and participate in these meetings could be set up. There has been a positive response to our initial suggestions and we continue to have constructive discussions on the subject.
OTHER
THST Database upgrade work
As mentioned in previous newsletters, the THST database has been given an upgrade. Various back end improvements have been made to enable us to take and track membership far more efficiently than before, with several functions including welcome and reminder emails now being automated.
In the next few months, many of you should receive email reminders that your annual membership needs to be renewed. Please do make sure you renew for another year, and maybe consider getting a fellow supporter to join too. If you think you may need to renew and haven’t received a reminder, please do get in touch with as at info@thstofficial.com
THST Board Meetings – 2 and 24 September 2015
The Q3 THST Board Meeting takes place on Wednesday 2 September. Full minutes will be published after this session, as usual.
The date for the pre meeting ahead of the Q3 THST/ THFC Board to Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 24 September.
The THST Board will meet with the Executive Board of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club – including Daniel Levy and Donna Cullen – on Tuesday 29 September at Lilywhite House.
MEDIA
The Olympic Stadium petition received coverage from every major news outlet during w/c 17 August, including interviews with fan coalition reps for BBC and ITN News, London Live and various radio stations.
The Evening Standard covered the story on 19 August.
And a follow up on 26 August.
THST Co-chair, Martin Cloake, was a guest – in a personal capacity – on the Spurs Show podcast on Monday 17 August. The episode can be heard here.
Martin also penned an article for The Fighting Cock (@lovetheshirt on twitter) website on THST and Spurs Transfer Policy, which can be read here.
The Haringey Independent also ran an article on match day atmosphere on the back of our Fan Survey 2015 findings, which can be read here.
For real-time updates follow us on our social media sites:
Twitter: @THSTOfficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/THSTOfficial
LinkedIn: Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust
Website: www.thstofficial.com
- THST Database upgrade work
- THST Board Meetings – 2/ 24 September
- THST/ THFC Board to Board Meeting – 29 September
Media:
- The Spurs Show – 17 August
- Article: THST and Spurs Transfer Policy for the Fighting Cock
- Haringey Independent – Survey findings
1. TRANSFER WINDOW
As the transfer window closed we put out a statement reflecting the concerns of many fans about the strength in depth of our squad.
While we don't comment on individual transfers or on-pitch matters relating to individual players, we do comment on general issues such as investment, transfer policy and the competitiveness of the squad. This, after all, has a direct impact on the core of why we are all fans, and is the reason we pay the money we do.
We are always careful to take a measured approach that reflects a broad range of views and promotes constructive dialogue.
We recognise that every detail of the Club's transfer negotiations cannot be made public, and that there will always be a variety of opinions about individual transfers, players and policy. But we believe loyal supporters, including those who spend large amounts of money to watch the team, are entitled to ask questions and receive clear and credible answers from the Club board.
We'd also like to thank the many members who contacted us expressing support after the Trust had been subjected to some, frankly, unacceptable abuse in the immediate aftermath of the transfer window.
2. MATCH DAY PRICE PROTESTS: FSF NATIONAL WEEKEND OF ACTION - 3/4 OCTOBER
The Football Supporters’ Federation has called a weekend of action for October 3 and 4 for nationwide demonstrations over ticket pricing.
Tottenham Hotspur play Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium at 4pm on Sunday 4 October in a televised match and THST will be co-ordinating a demonstration before and during the game.
We’d encourage as many of our travelling fans as possible to bring banners to the match reflecting their feelings on ticket prices – keep the content clean, though!
Fans wanting advice on how to get more involved with the protests, please email us on info@THSTOfficial.com.
3. OLYMPIC STADIUM: THST BACKS CALLS FOR A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO LLDC/WHU DEAL
THST joined forces with fan organisations from Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, AFC Wimbledon and QPR last month to launch a petition on the No 10 site demanding a public inquiry into the deal for the Olympic Stadium between the London Legacy Development Corporation and West Ham United Football Club.
THST issued a statement on 19 August, along with a press release from the coalition of London fan groups, which can be read here.
The petition required 10,000 signatures to receive a response from the Government and reached that total in under a day. We have today (3 September) received a response which the coalition is currently considering. 100,000 signatures are required before the issue is considered for discussion in Parliament. At the time of writing, the petition has over 24,000 signatures and we urge you to add your name to those from inside and outside of the football world calling for transparency around this deal.
The petition can be signed here.
The initiative has also attracted support from fan organisations at Aston Villa, Leicester City, Manchester United, Norwich City and Everton – underlining the fact that this is not about tribal rivalry, but about the use of public money to provide competitive advantage. Each club whose fans supported the coalition is affected in a different way by the Olympic Stadium deal and, of course, we are all taxpayers so it was entirely right for THST to accept the invitation to join this unprecedented fan coalition.
A second press release was issued on 25 August.
The campaign has been picked up by a number of national newspapers and also by MPs and members of the Greater London Assembly.
4. NORWICH PARACHUTE PAYMENT AND TICKET PRICE LOBBYING
Along with other Premier League club Trusts and the Football Supporters’ Federation, we continue to press for the £24m of parachute payments that would have been paid to Norwich City had that club not been promoted to be used to fund reductions in the price of away tickets.
Full details of the national campaign on this issue can be read here.
We have written to THFC urging them to support this idea, and received a reply that says the Club would only be willing to act if all other clubs acted in the same way. The Premier League and the Club are also disputing the assertion that the £24m money that has gone back into the collective pot.
As we have said in our letter to the Club urging them to table and support an across the board reduction in prices, the practice of clubs and the Premier League deflecting responsibility must stop, and the warm words recognising that something needs to be done about ticket prices must be translated into action.
We do not want to keep hearing why measures can’t be taken, we want to hear how measures can be implemented.
5. CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND v ARSENAL – ticketing and allocation
As always, THST contacted THFC immediately after the draw for the Third Round of the Capital One Cup to push for competitive pricing for One Hotspur members for the home tie v Arsenal. As one of the first two home cup games of the campaign, this match is included in the Season Ticket package for ST Holders.
Rules for the League Cup state that pricing has to be mutually agreed between both the home and away clubs, as opposed to being a solely home club decision. THST was assured THFC understood our position in terms of ensuring this game was reasonably priced in order to make it as accessible as possible to members.
Following discussions with Arsenal and consultation with THST, prices for this match have been set at £25 for Adults, £10 for Seniors and £5 for Juniors.
As regards the away allocation for this fixture, THST is very familiar with the historic issues around allocations at North London derbies. League Cup rules state that up to 10% of accommodation has to be handed over to away supporters. THST urged THFC to ensure as many of our own fans as possible were able to attend what would be a very popular match.
The ultimate decision on the away allocation lies with Haringey Safety Advisory Group, the Metropolitan Police and THFC, who have offered Arsenal 3,000 tickets for this match.
We are aware the possible date options for this fixture fell on Yom Kippur and this was flagged with THFC. The decision to play the match on 23rd September was taken with this in mind but, ultimately, was the choice of broadcasters, with the match being televised by Sky. Feedback we received from supporters we spoke to suggested the 23rd was the ‘least worst’ option on which to play this tie.
6. STUBHUB CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
As stated in previous THST newsletters, news of the contract renewal for a further two years with StubHub in March was not one particularly welcomed by the Trust, having campaigned for an end to the partnership for the previous 18 months.
THST firmly believes a ticket exchange should be a service, not a revenue generator and continues to push for an ethical platform to be introduced, exchanging at face value only.
However, we were encouraged by securing further concessions on the site and by the agreement from StubHub to fund a Corporate Social Responsibility project with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
After asking for an update on this project, Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director at THFC, confirmed that “the relevant people on both sides have been working on an appropriate initiative and have now fixed upon a pre-apprenticeship programme. This will offer the most vulnerable young people in our communities access qualifications and pathways to employment. We are now working on the finer details and will announce the programme in due course. It's a really good programme so delighted we have them funding this”.
We also raised the question of Club tweets before the first two home games of the season urging Season Ticket holders to sell unwanted tickets on StubHub, asking how this fitted in with the reduced marketing we were told would be implemented. The Club said that StubHub branding on pre and post-match interviews and on pitch perimeter advertising had been removed and that it did still have a duty to tell fans the option existed. We noticed in subsequent tweets from the Club that advice to sell tickets at or around face value was included.
7. LIVING WAGE: SESSION WITH FRANK FIELD MP - 18 SEPTEMBER
THST has been invited to attend a discussion on the Living Wage by Frank Field MP at Portculis House, Westminster on 18 September. THST will be represented by Kevin Fitzgerald and Paul Head at this session.
Just to clarify, THFC pays all of its’ full time staff the Living Wage. The Club has also participated in discussions with all of its third party suppliers, including cleaning and catering contractors, and has a commitment from them to move towards paying their full time staff the Living Wage. In respect of the caterers this has been achieved mid contract.
The Club said that, unfortunately, owing to the large number of contractors and sub-contractors involved in the stadium build - upwards of 800 - it would be unfeasible and impractical to ensure all are paid the Living Wage.
We continue to discuss the detail of this campaign with fair pay campaigners and the Club.
8. THST MEMBERS’ MEETING
The next THST Members’ Meeting is being scheduled for mid to late October and will be held in Central London. The date and venue will be confirmed asap and we’ll be mailing our members with full details in due course.
9. SHEFFIELD FC
We sent a message of support and a £50 donation to Sheffield FC to back their efforts to return ‘home’. Sheffield FC is the world’s oldest football club and so occupies a historic place in our football culture. The club is crowdfunding a campaign to return to the ground where football was born, and details can be found on the campaign website. Fans across the world are asked to donate £1.
10. SHADOWING MATCH DAY SECURITY
THST Board Members will be shadowing the Club’s match day security team at four home matches this season. It’s hoped this will deepen understanding for both the Club and the Trust of issues that need to be dealt with on a match day at White Hart Lane, continuing the very positive work that has taken place in this area.
11. SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP WORK
We were pleased to see that our colleagues in the Spirit of Shankly Liverpool Supporters’ Union have secured formal representation on Liverpool City Council’s Safety Advisory Group. Information can be found here.
We’ve passed this information on to THFC. We’ve also opened discussions with the Club about the practical implications of securing representation on the Haringey Safety Advisory Group, and about how training to ensure fan reps can fully contribute and participate in these meetings could be set up. There has been a positive response to our initial suggestions and we continue to have constructive discussions on the subject.
OTHER
THST Database upgrade work
As mentioned in previous newsletters, the THST database has been given an upgrade. Various back end improvements have been made to enable us to take and track membership far more efficiently than before, with several functions including welcome and reminder emails now being automated.
In the next few months, many of you should receive email reminders that your annual membership needs to be renewed. Please do make sure you renew for another year, and maybe consider getting a fellow supporter to join too. If you think you may need to renew and haven’t received a reminder, please do get in touch with as at info@thstofficial.com
THST Board Meetings – 2 and 24 September 2015
The Q3 THST Board Meeting takes place on Wednesday 2 September. Full minutes will be published after this session, as usual.
The date for the pre meeting ahead of the Q3 THST/ THFC Board to Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 24 September.
The THST Board will meet with the Executive Board of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club – including Daniel Levy and Donna Cullen – on Tuesday 29 September at Lilywhite House.
MEDIA
The Olympic Stadium petition received coverage from every major news outlet during w/c 17 August, including interviews with fan coalition reps for BBC and ITN News, London Live and various radio stations.
The Evening Standard covered the story on 19 August.
And a follow up on 26 August.
THST Co-chair, Martin Cloake, was a guest – in a personal capacity – on the Spurs Show podcast on Monday 17 August. The episode can be heard here.
Martin also penned an article for The Fighting Cock (@lovetheshirt on twitter) website on THST and Spurs Transfer Policy, which can be read here.
The Haringey Independent also ran an article on match day atmosphere on the back of our Fan Survey 2015 findings, which can be read here.
For real-time updates follow us on our social media sites:
Twitter: @THSTOfficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/THSTOfficial
LinkedIn: Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust
Website: www.thstofficial.com
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