THST/THFC Board to Board Meeting, 13th May 2014

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust 
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 
Board to Board Meeting 
Tuesday 13th May 2014, 6pm

Minutes

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Minutes

THST Board: 
Darren Howlett (Chairman), Katrina Law (Secretary), Adam Bailey (Treasurer), Ellie Kershaw, Martin Cloake, Paul Head, Suraj Sharma

THFC Board: 
Daniel Levy (Chairman), Donna-Maria Cullen (Executive Director), Sue Tilling (Safety Officer), Ian Murphy (Head of Ticketing and Membership), Jonathan Waite (Customer Service & Supporter Liaison Manager)

The meeting opened with DC expressing how much THST Joint Chairman, Darren Alexander, was missed following his passing in March. This sentiment was shared by all. 

1. Stadium Update: CPO’s, naming rights, timescales, ground shares 

• DH stated that the stadium was the most critical issue facing the Club at present
• DL explained how the CPO on the one remaining property (Archway Steel) was still outstanding, a year after the public enquiry in March 2013. THFC had been advised a decision was imminent in September 2013 and has been following up fortnightly through lawyers ever since
• THFC has already relocated 71 businesses from Tottenham amicably to secure the land for the new stadium
• THFC has been trying to purchase Archway Steel for 10 years now and until this is finally resolved, work cannot begin on the new stadium
• AB asked whether the timelines shared with fans in April were achievable, in terms of the completion date of 2017. DL commented that the timings were increasingly tight and there was the possibility this may be pushed back if the CPO was any further delayed
• MC asked whether the stadium design remained the same as the set made public in 2012. DC commented that there would be internal changes as the design was already dated in terms of the latest fittings etc.
• DL and DC confirmed that once THFC is in a position to begin the build process in earnest, the various committees established to advise and assist with the move would be revived – Heritage Committee, Transport Committee etc.
• The possibility of ground sharing for the final season prior to the new stadium opening was raised by THST. DL advised that THFC had an open mind as to where this may be but this was looking increasingly like a possibility
• KL enquired as to the possibility of building a multi-purpose stadium to accommodate other sports (NFL, in particular). DL commented that nothing was planned at this point but they would keep an open mind for the future

2. Safe Standing: Survey results 

• PH and KL talked through the results from the THST survey undertaken in December 2013 around the issue of Safe Standing
• The survey was open to all THFC fans via Survey Monkey and received c 2300 respondents over a two week period
• The results were overwhelmingly positive
• A full copy of the presentation and the main findings can be viewed here.
• Once the conclusions had been shared, THST then asked THFC for comment on their position on the Safe Standing debate
• DL and DC stated they were open minded for now and would be supportive once there’s a change in legislation. They are also willing to consult with other Premier League Clubs over their positions in this discussion
• THST stressed there was a definite appetite for this amongst our supporters
• Bearing in mind the complex circumstances regarding the new stadium, the club felt this was the wrong time for THFC to spearhead any campaign on this
• DC agreed to provide a comment to accompany the Survey Results, which THST would publish as soon as possible

3. Atmosphere: Visuals and audio 

• KL began by thanking DC for her support in this area over the past year. Backing the surfing flag idea (and funding the first one), agreeing to push Haringey SAG for a bigger flag for next season and understanding why visuals are important in general was really appreciated
• KL also thanked JW and ST for working with the fans to allow more flags etc. into the ground over recent months. This was to be encouraged more over the coming campaign
• Organic growth in this area was the best possible way forward as anything too artificial caused a backlash hence the ideal was more flags and banners being brought in by fans of their own accord
• KL explained how THST hoped to produce more of the banners for the Park Lane and Paxton Road balconies next season after the delivery of the ‘Bill Nicholson’ banner earlier this week. These are fan funded and offer a chance for supporters to feel part of their stadium
• All commented how the atmosphere at the Ledley King Testimonial match had been superb and the aim was to capture that for home league games
• The contribution the 1882 movement had made to cup games and youth games was also acknowledged by both THFC and THST
• The issue of the Drum was raised and THFC agreed to hold discussions with the drummer over the summer
• KL asked for the ‘Tottenham Tweets’ on the Jumbotron to stop, claiming they are distracting as, naturally, fans presume it’s a goal update. Plus no one in the ground can tweet as there isn’t a signal! JW commented many people liked and enjoyed the tweets
• DC confirmed that there will be a WIFI signal/increased bandwidth in White Hart Lane for all to use from next season onwards

 
4. THFC 2013-2014 Season Review: positives, negatives, next season 

• Following the departure of Tim Sherwood earlier in the day, DH opened up this section by asking for clarification of the footballing principles guiding DL
• DL explained that we needed a manager who believed in our football philosophy, where we would be entertained
• DL stated we have a very good group of players at the Club and, ideally, we want someone who can bring the best out of experienced players and bring through youth, too
• The managerial tenure at THFC was not felt to be out of kilter with most of the top flight, excepting Arsenal and formerly Man Utd. And certainly not with Europe, where standard contracts were for 2 seasons only
• THST asked about Lamela. As a club record signing, the fans should have been kept in the loop on his progress. DC responded that Tim had updated in his press conferences and confirmed that he is now back in light training following a complex back injury
• THST questioned what success looked like for Spurs? Was it a top 4 finish or silverware? DL acknowledged that there were 6 or 7 teams competing for those four places so top 4 was difficult but should always be an ambition
• THST asked whether there would be renewed focus on the Europa League following the rule changes. DL commented the competition was always taken seriously and would be next season
• THST made clear the level of disillusion and disaffection among fans over a perceived lack of direction at the club, DL reiterated that our ambitions remain the same

 
5. Ticketing:  Pricing, allocations 

• KL acknowledged the progress in terms of fan consultation this season and thanked DL for the season ticket and match day prize freeze and the rise in concessions from U16 to U18
• KL also welcomed the Capital One and UEL pricing of £20/ £10/ £5 offered last season
• Taking the maximum allocation to away games was another positive, as our away support continues to be solid
• The new loyalty point allocation for away games, after discussion with THST, was another example of collaborative working this year. Away games will be awarded points on the basis of the opposition, time of day, day of week and location from Aug 2014 onwards
• THST members had put forward some questions around the area of ticketing, which KL raised. IM responded as follows:
  • Booking fees on ST and Membership renewals: terms of the Ticketmaster contract and can’t be absorbed into the actual ticket price
  • ST waiting list should be based on LP’s and not longevity of membership: not prepared to change the goal posts of a loyalty system with 4 years to go until a new stadium. Wouldn’t be fair
  • The priority 1000 Bronze seats should be anywhere in the stadium: THFC have chosen the best available seats across the stadium but need to remember a lot are taken by ST holders and they need to spread the 1000 around the ground to accommodate fans wishing to sit in different stands and tiers around the stadium. Difficulty here is software and technology, too. If the system allows you to book anywhere in the ground, it can be difficult to tell when it’s reached 1000 sales whilst tickets are in baskets and the site is live. By having 1000 identified seats, it makes it a lot easier. THST requested a breakdown of the 1000 Bronze seats

 
6. StubHub: Ongoing THST campaign update 

• MC stated that the Trust position on the secondary ticketing platform had been made clear previously and there was little need to recap on earlier statements etc.
• THST did appreciate the stop to ‘flipping’ on the site
• IM commented that further changes will be made over the summer
• MC referred to the work being undertaken by Twickets and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust / CFC tickets to establish an ethical ticket exchange
• MC asked if the club would be prepared to meet with any potential partners we suggested for future schemes, and THFC indicated they would approach any suggestions with an open mind
• With one year left on the current deal with StubHub, discussions had not yet opened proper regarding any extension on this
• DC did flag the importance of commercial partnerships when considering Financial Fair Play, however

7. Away Fans Matter: Allocating the £200K for next season 

• KL commented on the confusion last summer around whose money this was. There was the misconception this was a Premier League grant as opposed to each Club’s money ring-fenced for the away fans initiative. Better communication from the PL could have avoided this
• KL also stated the THST preference for the money at that time had been to reduce ticket prices by £1.50 or so, but acknowledged the travel subsidies had worked well
• The coaches had seen a 3 fold uplift on last season (minimum) and several families had contacted THST to say the free coaches / £10 coaches had meant they were able to take their children to more away games than they would’ve been able to without the subsidised transport
• The train to Liverpool was a great success and EK and KL, who travelled on it, were complimentary about the price and the service all round
• A further 4 trains next season will be welcomed
• KL did flag that there was discontent from some of those living outside of N London, for whom a coach from WHL wasn’t practical
• JW commented on the Official Supporters’ Clubs being entitled to one free away coach each season, too. This benefitted fans all over the country
• KL requested the possibility of food and programme vouchers at selected games be explored for next season
• KL agreed it was impossible to please all of the people, all of the time and that the travel, the free scarves, the refurbishments to the away end at WHL were a good start for the first year of this initiative
• KL requested THST be kept in the loop and consulted with moving forwards on this initiative

8.  The Y Word: Taking stock of the past 6 months and looking ahead 

• DC acknowledged this remained a complex issue and had been headline news both here and abroad, especially in the USA, such was the interest in the case
• Both THST and THFC agreed using the term should never have been a criminal offence, however, the THFC consultation did illustrate some fans are offended by the term
• THST and THFC both hoped the flash point had now passed
• Neither party had received an update from the Metropolitan Police after the CPS discontinued the case against the 3 Spurs fans on 7th March
• DC said that THFC remained focused on fighting anti-semitism. THST agreed that was its’ aim, also
• THFC is in contact with Kick It Out regarding ways to combat anti-semitism within football moving forwards

 
9. AOB 

• Retire 26? KL asked whether Ledley King’s squad number would now be retired in his honour. DC replied it wouldn’t be retired but nor would it be assigned. Retiring it would be permanent and what would happen if Ledley’s son wants to play as Tottenham’s number 26 in future years?
• DC confirmed that all toilets are undergoing a makeover in the North, East and South stands for the start of next season

Meeting concluded at 8pm.