Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust
Board Meeting
Monday 17 November 2014
7.00pm – 9.45pm
Nabarro LLP, 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AL
Present:
Katrina Law, Secretary
Martin Cloake
Paul Head
Suraj Sharma
Remote dial in:
Adam Bailey, Treasurer
Ellie Kershaw
Apologies:
Darren Howlett, Chairman
MINUTES
1. New Stadium/ Ground share
- THST acknowledged that the NPD/ new stadium was a key point for discussion at the Board to Board meeting with THFC next Thursday
- THST needed to understand the current proposals for the stadium
- There was broad support for the adding of extra capacity at the stadium primarily so that more fans can see the team
- If the proposals to remain at the current stadium while building a new one are no longer viable, THST wanted to know the reasons why
- There was backing for the #NoToMK campaign (see point 6)
- THST has also applied to the Premier League Fans Fund for a grant to undertake a significant piece of consultation around the new stadium development with stakeholders from the local community and THFC supporters. A decision is due in December
2. Tottenham Regeneration
- MC, PH and THST member, Bernie Kingsley, met with members of the Our Tottenham group in November to discuss issues around the stadium development and wider regeneration of Tottenham and their impact on the local community. The Our Tottenham group is a network of 50 local community organisations challenging inappropriate regeneration plans, and calling for local people to be driving the decision-making affecting their communities
- Concern was shared between the groups on a number of issues around the regeneration plans, in particular the construction of the walkway from WHL station and the associated demolition of local homes and shops
- THST will continue to call on the Club and Haringey Council to ensure that the stadium development and wider regeneration benefit the local community and that the local community are properly consulted on and involved in major decisions about the future of the area
3. Financial update
- AB circulated a statement of the latest THST finances
- THST’s year end was 31 August 2014. THST made a total loss of £561 for the year ending 31 August 2014. Considering the losses had been £1500+ previously, this was an improvement
- With the new website launching on 15 July 2014 and a steep climb in membership uptake subsequently, all were confident THST would record a profit in the coming year
- Auditing of accounts to commence shortly in good time ahead of the THST AGM in February
4. Membership update
- SS updated on the latest membership figures and associated revenue
- There had been a sharp increase in memberships following the media coverage last week and THST’s appearance on the Fighting Cock podcast on 10 November
- 23 Official Supporters Clubs are now full members of THST
- THST provides a tailored newsletter/ information feed for Overseas Supporter Clubs, which has been well received, in addition to all full member benefits and continues to develop a rounded proposition for all OSC’s members
- SS suggested organising an end of season event for all THST members, including OSC reps who would be in London for the Supporters Club Awards. More details to follow
- SS is also sourcing a tech company to further automate the online membership registration process on the THST website
- KL updated on social media followings which now stood at 20100+ on Twitter and 4000+ on Facebook
5. Small Shareholders Association update
- MC explained that THST continues to liaise with the Small Shareholders Association as it builds a register of the Club's small shareholders and investigates the options for those small shareholders to work together
- THST has also introduced the SSA to Supporters Direct, from whom they can obtain further legal and financial advice
- While the SSA is a separate organisation from THST, we are happy to continue to publicise and help with its work where possible
6. Campaigning:
- THST had been approached by the Blue Union and Spirit of Shankly regarding organising a joint ticket pricing protest along with Arsenal on the day of the North London and Merseyside Derbies. After much discussion it was felt this was not the appropriate match for such a demonstration, when fans would be totally focused on the game, especially as it would require a lot of time and effort to organise
- There was an agreement to arrange a demonstration at an alternative fixture later in the season, however
- THST’s opposition to any proposed ground share at Stadium MK was reiterated. THST needed to understand why remaining at WHL during any build period was no longer viable: the preferred option. Opposition to a move to MK was based on location and travel distance from WHL, the loss of Club identity a move outside of London would present, the impact on the N17 business community and the association with franchise football
- THST agreed to push for fan consultation once options were confirmed by THFC, should a ground share be necessary
7. AOB/ Updates on:
- Credit Unions
EK hopes to be in a position to launch an information campaign with the North London Credit Union in January 2015
- Go Car Share
PH to follow up with the organiser for an update
- World Book Day
EK to tentatively explore possibilities for reviving this initiative however there were problems securing a school to partner with last year
- Atmosphere
KL confirmed that THFC had paid for the 12m x 10m surfing flag and delivery was scheduled for this week. No date for unveiling the flag had been agreed with THFC as yet. Given the current set of circumstances, this wasn’t felt to be a priority
- Agreement on approach and structure of Board to Board meeting with THFC on 20th Nov
Members’ questions had been invited and collated in advance. These were distributed and an agenda was agreed for the meeting with THFC on Thursday, to be published on 18 November
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting concluded at 9.45pm.
Katrina Law, Secretary
Martin Cloake
Paul Head
Suraj Sharma
Remote dial in:
Adam Bailey, Treasurer
Ellie Kershaw
Apologies:
Darren Howlett, Chairman
MINUTES
1. New Stadium/ Ground share
- THST acknowledged that the NPD/ new stadium was a key point for discussion at the Board to Board meeting with THFC next Thursday
- THST needed to understand the current proposals for the stadium
- There was broad support for the adding of extra capacity at the stadium primarily so that more fans can see the team
- If the proposals to remain at the current stadium while building a new one are no longer viable, THST wanted to know the reasons why
- There was backing for the #NoToMK campaign (see point 6)
- THST has also applied to the Premier League Fans Fund for a grant to undertake a significant piece of consultation around the new stadium development with stakeholders from the local community and THFC supporters. A decision is due in December
2. Tottenham Regeneration
- MC, PH and THST member, Bernie Kingsley, met with members of the Our Tottenham group in November to discuss issues around the stadium development and wider regeneration of Tottenham and their impact on the local community. The Our Tottenham group is a network of 50 local community organisations challenging inappropriate regeneration plans, and calling for local people to be driving the decision-making affecting their communities
- Concern was shared between the groups on a number of issues around the regeneration plans, in particular the construction of the walkway from WHL station and the associated demolition of local homes and shops
- THST will continue to call on the Club and Haringey Council to ensure that the stadium development and wider regeneration benefit the local community and that the local community are properly consulted on and involved in major decisions about the future of the area
3. Financial update
- AB circulated a statement of the latest THST finances
- THST’s year end was 31 August 2014. THST made a total loss of £561 for the year ending 31 August 2014. Considering the losses had been £1500+ previously, this was an improvement
- With the new website launching on 15 July 2014 and a steep climb in membership uptake subsequently, all were confident THST would record a profit in the coming year
- Auditing of accounts to commence shortly in good time ahead of the THST AGM in February
4. Membership update
- SS updated on the latest membership figures and associated revenue
- There had been a sharp increase in memberships following the media coverage last week and THST’s appearance on the Fighting Cock podcast on 10 November
- 23 Official Supporters Clubs are now full members of THST
- THST provides a tailored newsletter/ information feed for Overseas Supporter Clubs, which has been well received, in addition to all full member benefits and continues to develop a rounded proposition for all OSC’s members
- SS suggested organising an end of season event for all THST members, including OSC reps who would be in London for the Supporters Club Awards. More details to follow
- SS is also sourcing a tech company to further automate the online membership registration process on the THST website
- KL updated on social media followings which now stood at 20100+ on Twitter and 4000+ on Facebook
5. Small Shareholders Association update
- MC explained that THST continues to liaise with the Small Shareholders Association as it builds a register of the Club's small shareholders and investigates the options for those small shareholders to work together
- THST has also introduced the SSA to Supporters Direct, from whom they can obtain further legal and financial advice
- While the SSA is a separate organisation from THST, we are happy to continue to publicise and help with its work where possible
6. Campaigning:
- THST had been approached by the Blue Union and Spirit of Shankly regarding organising a joint ticket pricing protest along with Arsenal on the day of the North London and Merseyside Derbies. After much discussion it was felt this was not the appropriate match for such a demonstration, when fans would be totally focused on the game, especially as it would require a lot of time and effort to organise
- There was an agreement to arrange a demonstration at an alternative fixture later in the season, however
- THST’s opposition to any proposed ground share at Stadium MK was reiterated. THST needed to understand why remaining at WHL during any build period was no longer viable: the preferred option. Opposition to a move to MK was based on location and travel distance from WHL, the loss of Club identity a move outside of London would present, the impact on the N17 business community and the association with franchise football
- THST agreed to push for fan consultation once options were confirmed by THFC, should a ground share be necessary
7. AOB/ Updates on:
- Credit Unions
EK hopes to be in a position to launch an information campaign with the North London Credit Union in January 2015
- Go Car Share
PH to follow up with the organiser for an update
- World Book Day
EK to tentatively explore possibilities for reviving this initiative however there were problems securing a school to partner with last year
- Atmosphere
KL confirmed that THFC had paid for the 12m x 10m surfing flag and delivery was scheduled for this week. No date for unveiling the flag had been agreed with THFC as yet. Given the current set of circumstances, this wasn’t felt to be a priority
- Agreement on approach and structure of Board to Board meeting with THFC on 20th Nov
Members’ questions had been invited and collated in advance. These were distributed and an agenda was agreed for the meeting with THFC on Thursday, to be published on 18 November
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting concluded at 9.45pm.
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