
1. New stadium/ ground share
2. National ticket pricing campaign
3. Meetings
4. Fans Forums
5. Credit Union
6. GoCarShare
7. Small shareholders association
8. Other: Surfing Flag/ The Drum/ Overseas Supporters Clubs
The biggest talking point of the month was the news that the Compulsory Purchase Order on the final remaining property required to commence the stadium build – Archway Steel – will go to a High Court appeal. This was announced by THFC on 10th September in the following statement: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/new-stadium-update-100914/
THFC also confirmed that it will be necessary to play away from White Hart Lane for the period of one season during the build stage of the new stadium.
Responding to member’s questions and media enquiries, THST released the following statement on the 11 September, which can be read in full here: https://www.thstofficial.com/thst-news/thst-statement-on-new-stadium-update
THST continues to push for greater transparency from the Club regarding any ground share and full supporter consultation into the decision making process.
Trust Board members were inundated with media requests for comment after the Club’s statement. When commenting, we emphasised our wish for greater transparency, and voiced concerns about the implications of playing away from White Hart Lane for a season, or possibly longer. Board members gave interviews to PA, which syndicated comments throughout the UK media, Sky, London Live and Finland’s largest media group. We also contributed an article to the Haringey Independent, which is the first of a regular series of Trust updates the paper has offered to carry. That article, which raises some wider questions we think need to be considered, can be read here. http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/11473970.Spurs_stadium_project___are_we_asking_the_correct_questions_/
THST has been asked to contribute to the London Assembly Regeneration Committee’s investigation into urban stadium-led regeneration, as representatives from a supporters’ perspective.
The investigation is looking assess the benefits of stadium development programmes to both football clubs and local communities, review the role of the Mayor in stadium regeneration schemes and develop recommendations for the Mayor to ensure current stadium development schemes deliver a genuine regeneration legacy for local communities.
You can read more about the Assembly’s investigation here: https://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/london-assembly/investigations/stadia-led-regeneration-and-the-future-of-the-olympic-stadium
If you live or work locally to White Hart Lane you may also like to take the survey on their website and give your views on stadium-led regeneration.
2. National ticket pricing campaign
With a record spend in the summer transfer window, THST joined fellow Supporter Groups in calling for broadcasters, partners and sponsors to work with fans to make football affordable for all. The joint statement can be read in full here: https://www.thstofficial.com/thst-news/a-record-spend-but-what-about-supporters
We are interested to hear ideas from members about how to raise the issue of ticket pricing with the game’s sponsors, and also from members who are prepared to take part in activities around this issue. Please contact us at the Trust info email address (info@THSTOfficial.com).
3. Meetings
THST will be present at a meeting with THFC’s Head of Ticketing, Safety Officer, SLO and representatives of the Fighting Cock podcast to discuss the housing of the 1882 movement at home cup games where Block 35 is given over to away supporters. Date to be confirmed for October.
THST met with representatives of AFC Wimbledon on 30 September to discuss engaging with younger fans, on the back of the workshop presentation at the Supporters Summit in July.
Dates are being confirmed for THST’s next Board to Board Meeting with THFC and the next Police Safety Forum for Q4, also.
Members Meeting
The forthcoming THST Members Meeting on Weds 8 October is now fully booked. We are very pleased to be able to welcome the Club’s Supporter Liaison Officer, Jonathan Waite, to the meeting as a guest. Thank you to those who’ve confirmed their attendance at the meeting and we look forward to welcoming you on the night.
https://www.thstofficial.com/thst-news/thst-members-meeting-supporter-liaison-officer-qa
4. Fan Forums
Tottenham Hotspur recently announced a series of Fan Forums, on the back of THST’s Fan Survey earlier this summer and our calls for greater communication and more engagement with supporters.
The article appeared on the Spurs official site and can be read in full here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/fan-forums-030914/
THST Members will have access to the Q&A evening with Chairman Daniel Levy, Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino and a member of the First Team squad at White Hart Lane. We’ll update our members on timings and how to get involved in due course.
5. Credit Union
THST is finalising a partnership with the North London Credit Union to help fans with the cost of Season Tickets. More information will be published in October.
6. GoCarShare
THST has been approached by GoCarShare - a lift sharing service that links up people driving to games with people who need a lift, cutting costs for both. At a time when it's getting increasingly expensive to watch live football, GoCarShare looks like an exciting and innovative way to help football fans bring down the cost of following their team.
If you’re looking for a lift to a match or you’re driving and you’ve got space in your car, you can post where you’re going from and to and how much you want or are willing to pay.
There’s a dedicated Spurs/White Hart Lane page on the site, which can be viewed below, as well as pages for many other Premier League grounds. https://gocarshare.com/sport/tottenham-hotspur
If you've got any ideas how GoCarShare can improve their service for Spurs fans, let us know and we'll pass it on.
7. Small Shareholders Association
We have been in conversation with a number of the Club’s small shareholders who contacted us to ask for advice on their rights in the current structure. As a result of these conversations, a small shareholders association is being set up. This will exist as a separate organisation from THST, but it is an initiative we are very happy to back. Look out for further details on the THST website and social media feeds.
8. Other
Flag: The 12m x 10m Surfing Flag has been ordered and should be delivered in October. A date for its debut will be confirmed in due course.
Drum: Discussions are underway to house the Drum for the match v Brighton & Hove Albion on 29 October. Unfortunately, the drummer was unable to attend the match v Besiktas on 2 October. Difficulties with not being able to use Block 35 for the UEL matches this season have also contributed to the delay in commencing the trial period for its return.
Overseas Supporters Clubs: THST launched the first of its newsletters specifically for Overseas Supporters Clubs this month. We welcome feedback to enable us to improve our service to overseas members.
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