 | Updates on: THST / THFC Meeting – 3 October ‘Spurs Beat’ members’ event – 12 October Crowd management at Wembley Champions League pricing West Ham United away advice – 23 September West Ham Carabao Cup tie - 25 October Kick off times working group meeting with Sky Sports and Tom Watson MP SD/ SKINS Football Reform Roadshow – 14 September FSF Network Meeting – 21 September |
Other:
1. THST/ THFC MEETING – 3 OCTOBER 2017
We were scheduled to meet with representatives of the Spurs Board this week for a full Board to Board meeting, however, it has been necessary to postpone this full session. Instead, representatives of both Boards will still be meeting on 3 October and we'll update as soon as possible after that.
We received a very healthy response to our request for your questions for the THFC Board and have collated all of those submitted into a pack, which we'll be sharing with the Club, as usual.
2. 'SPURS BEAT’ MEMBERS’ EVENT – 12 OCTOBER 2017
Our next members’ evening, featuring four prominent Spurs journalists, is proving very popular indeed with all the original places booked up. So we’ve opened up 20 more places on a first come, first served basis. Details of the event on 12 October, and how to book, are here. We hope you can join us on the night!
3. CROWD MANAGEMENT AT WEMBLEY
The first few games at Wembley revealed some teething problems with crowd management and entry, and we’ve had a lot of feedback from supporters about this. As a result, we took part in a conference call with reps from THFC and Wembley Stadium to try to address those issues. We ran a piece on our website after the call to update fans.
There should be improved signposting around the stadium and more staff to help advise fans from the Liverpool game onwards. We’ve also asked for searches to be moved back from the turnstiles to avoid congestion and Wembley have said they will brief their staff to do this.
We’re as painfully aware as most fans of the ticketing issues at the Club this season and we know that some of those issues have affected match days. We spoke to the Head of Ticketing and Membership and he was very honest in saying that the issues experienced so far were not acceptable, and that steps were being taken to address this. We know that ticket office staff are putting in extra hours to resolve the backlog of issues, and once this is done the pressure should ease.
We asked if the ticket office in the East Stand could also be opened, but the Club’s view was that it was more sensible to solve the problems at root rather than open up multiple places for fans to go with ticketing issues. We accepted that point.
We also made the point that there appeared to be a number of systemic issues, for example double selling of seats at the Dortmund game, that needed addressing with Ticketmaster, and we were assured that those issues are being discussed.
While the ticketing issues are well known, and we’ve made our views clear directly to the Club and in regular updates on our website, it’s also the case that some – just some – of the issues at the gates are being caused by supporters bringing the wrong entry card or not printing paper tickets after being informed they needed to by email. We are glad to see that the Club is issuing clear advice on entering the stadium before every game, and we’d emphasise the point that making sure you bring the correct ticket or card will help reduce problems and enable other issues to be dealt with more quickly and efficiently.
We’ve also received lots of feedback about stewarding at Wembley, and we continue to discuss this with the Club and Wembley. The biggest issue is how persistent standing is dealt with, and we receive complaints from people who want to stand and those who want to sit. We understand that the current terms of stadium licences mean that stadium staff must prevent persistent standing, but we also continue to advocate a common sense approach by stewards – one that has also been shown to encourage peer to peer management of the issue so that fans can enjoy watching the game as they want. While we accept this can be a difficult issue to manage, we don’t believe the over-zealous stewarding seen in some sections during the Barnsley cup tie helps. We also continue to push for THFC stewards to have a higher profile working with Wembley staff, particularly in the West Lower as their knowledge and familiarity with the crowd could be beneficial.
4. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRICING
We commented on Champions League pricing for the Real Madrid and APOEL Nicosia games at Wembley here, reflecting the views of many fans who commented on social media and to us in person.
We recognise the commercial pressures on the Club but would have welcomed the chance to have some input into this decision.
Last season, accessibly-priced Champions League multipacks were one of the most popular measures the Club introduced. This season’s multipacks also represent good value, albeit within the context of overall stadium pricing – a subject we’ve commented on at length. But we feel the match price should have been communicated at the same time as the packs were sold – as is common practice at other English clubs competing in the competition.
We also felt that it was unfair to extend the multipack sales window after the draw was made. Fans opted to commit money up front without knowing dates or opponents, and we feel that commitment deserved recognition – the principle applied last season. This year, fans who knew dates and opponents were able to purchase multipacks at the same price as those who paid ‘blind’.
More seriously, Season Ticket holders and members who may well have had good reason not to buy multipacks have been hit by the Club’s decision to make the Real Madrid Game a Cat A game, and to raise prices for the APOEL Nicosia game. We don’t feel any group stage games merit Cat A pricing, especially as this raises the prospect of even higher pricing should the Club progress beyond the group stage.
5. WEST HAM UNITED AWAY ADVICE - 23 SEPTEMBER
We took part in one of the regular meetings held for fan reps, clubs and the police well in advance of our visit to the London Stadium for the West Ham game. A report on that meeting can be found here. It had appeared to be a productive meeting, so we were surprised to find out several days before the game was played that Pudding Mill Lane, the station nominated as the main entry and exit route for away fans, was closed for scheduled engineering work, along with a section of the TFL overground. It seems the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police, the stadium operators and WHUFC were unaware of this.
It was also frustrating not to receive information from WHUFC about the visit until a day before the game, and even then some promised information never materialised.
We also received late notice that there would be no alcohol served at half time for visiting fans. Our position has always been that paying customers should be given full access to all facilities unless there is a specific, good reason not to do so. It’s a position we’ve argued for fans visiting our stadium too. We don’t believe a half-time beer turns normally law-abiding individuals into a security threat. This decision was particularly regrettable considering there had been only 4 arrests in total at the corresponding fixture last year and that the security categorisation of the game had been reduced.
We’ll be speaking to our colleagues at the Football Supporters Federation to see if some co-ordinated pressure from all fans groups can be applied to ensure fans are treated as they should be.
6. WEST HAM CARABAO CUP TIE - 25 OCTOBER
We were pleased to see THFC opted to retain its progressive cup ticket pricing approach for the fourth round League Cup tie against West Ham United, pricing tickets at £20 and £10, with £25 tickets in Club Wembley. Given the perceived approach of Premier League clubs to the competition, and the early stage it is at, we can also see the logic of closing Wembley’s top tier for this game.
We also welcomed the pricing for the previous round of this competition against Barnsley, which saw adults charged just £10 and concessions £5. The attendance was roughly the same as it had been for this level of opposition at this stage in the competition in previous seasons. We suggested there were a number of other factors that influenced the size of the crowd; it was the third game at Wembley in six days, it was a 8pm kick-off and so a later finish for a journey a proportion of our fans find challenging, and there was widespread expectation Spurs would field a B team. Discontent about previous pricing decisions may also have had some influence.
7. KICK OFF TIMES WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH SKY SPORTS AND TOM WATSON
THST members of the FSF’s Kick-off Times Working Group had a busy month with a third meeting with Sky Sports at their Osterley studios (11 Sept) discussing the impact of games moved for broadcast on matchgoing fans. Especially with the new TV deal in mind and the 22 additional slots set to be introduced from 2019 onwards. While progress is slow on this, Sky has shown more willingness to engage than BT Sport or the Premier League. We continue to press for a meeting where all stakeholders are present.
Some of the discussion considered the practicalities of helping with transport for away fans attending games that are moved for TV. This discussion continued when the group met Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party, at Westminster on 20 September. He’d asked for a briefing to help Labour develop its Fan Fare policy – a plan to introduce flexible rail tickets for football fans. This was an extremely positive meeting and work looks set to progress.
Regrettably, it became clear as we completed this newsletter that the current TV deal included provision to schedule games on Christmas Eve, and that matches at 1.30pm and 4pm on that day were being considered. Along with other fan groups across the Premier League, we issued a statement opposing the scheduling of matches on Christmas Eve.
8. SUPPORTERS DIRECT/ SKINS ROADSHOW – 14 SEPTEMBER
THST was represented at a public meeting held at Leyton Orient FC as part of a fans rights roadshow promoted by Supporters Direct and sportswear company SKINS. The roadshow attracted some positive publicity about the need to reform the way the game is run, and THST will continue to assist in efforts to develop some clear policies to achieve this, along with colleagues from other Trusts and fan groups.
9. FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION NETWORK MEETING – 21 SEPTEMBER
THST attended the regular meeting of Premier League fan groups ahead of the meeting between fans and the Premier League. Subjects covered included the need to preserve and expand upon the £30 away price cap when the next TV deal kicks in, safe standing, and governance reform.
Other:
THST made the point that supporters will need to know well in advance of any potential issues at either station and added it would be beneficial for the Club to offer travel advice as early as possible once this current campaign ends.
During the meeting construction company MACE confirmed Park Lane re-opened on 21 August, as planned. High Road residents complained of noise throughout the night with representatives from MACE and THFC saying they will look into the matter.
An update on the Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) confirmed that as well as looking into future issues and solutions at the new stadium it was also monitoring the temporary toilets at Wembley Way and would be moving them to various locations around the stadium should the need become apparent. This would also be the case when the new stadium opens and is in use.
Off towards the Woolwich foot tunnel en route to Charlton Athletic and our first stadium visit of the day. Unfortunately, Arsenal had crossed the Thames in the other direction but their once near neighbours gave us a pitchside welcome and a greeting from their legend Keith Peacock, the first substitute to take the field in English football, fellow cyclist Rob White informed us.
On to Millwall, then Palace where we were joined by two Chelsea riders. Next AFC Wimbledon where yet another Spurs fan joined the ride, then Brentford and QPR; unfortunately no Sir Les this year as the club was gearing up to hosting the match for Grenfell Tower.
Then on to Fulham and another pitchside welcome; always enjoyable and usually rewarding to visit the Cottage. Up the road to Stamford Bridge, not such good memories but very good hosts; a tour of the press room, the dressing rooms, the pitch and the league trophy. On to Arsenal, then a visit to Lilywhite House and a photo by the famous cockerel and clock, followed by a ride past our nearby first grounds, a pleasant pedal by the side of the Lee and finally Leyton Orient.
12 grounds, 85 miles. And great fun for a very worthy cause. Trust Board member Kevin Fitzgerald initiated the ride last year and it’s now on the calendar as an annual event. So, if anyone else fancies it, you are welcome to join us next year. Even better, why not register as part of the Cycle On You Spurs team for the June 2018 London to Amsterdam ride.
Media:
Ride London Grounds in the Ham and High
THST Secretary, Pete Haine, in GQ
A reminder…
iSpurs information portal
The Club has also set up a new, dedicated information portal online which answers many of the questions we are frequently contacted with. We’d urge fans to read and familiarise themselves with the details available on the portal as we continue to receive a high volume of questions asking for this information.
THST Board
2 October 2017
For more exclusive and live updates follow us on our social media sites:
Twitter: @THSTOfficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/THSTOfficial
LinkedIn: Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust
TO BECOME A TRUST MEMBER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
- Business Community Liaison Meeting – 5 September
- Ride London Football Grounds – 1 September
- Zeelo coach travel to Wembley
- Away pub at Wembley
- London Designer Outlet discount
1. THST/ THFC MEETING – 3 OCTOBER 2017
We were scheduled to meet with representatives of the Spurs Board this week for a full Board to Board meeting, however, it has been necessary to postpone this full session. Instead, representatives of both Boards will still be meeting on 3 October and we'll update as soon as possible after that.
We received a very healthy response to our request for your questions for the THFC Board and have collated all of those submitted into a pack, which we'll be sharing with the Club, as usual.
2. 'SPURS BEAT’ MEMBERS’ EVENT – 12 OCTOBER 2017
Our next members’ evening, featuring four prominent Spurs journalists, is proving very popular indeed with all the original places booked up. So we’ve opened up 20 more places on a first come, first served basis. Details of the event on 12 October, and how to book, are here. We hope you can join us on the night!
3. CROWD MANAGEMENT AT WEMBLEY
The first few games at Wembley revealed some teething problems with crowd management and entry, and we’ve had a lot of feedback from supporters about this. As a result, we took part in a conference call with reps from THFC and Wembley Stadium to try to address those issues. We ran a piece on our website after the call to update fans.
There should be improved signposting around the stadium and more staff to help advise fans from the Liverpool game onwards. We’ve also asked for searches to be moved back from the turnstiles to avoid congestion and Wembley have said they will brief their staff to do this.
We’re as painfully aware as most fans of the ticketing issues at the Club this season and we know that some of those issues have affected match days. We spoke to the Head of Ticketing and Membership and he was very honest in saying that the issues experienced so far were not acceptable, and that steps were being taken to address this. We know that ticket office staff are putting in extra hours to resolve the backlog of issues, and once this is done the pressure should ease.
We asked if the ticket office in the East Stand could also be opened, but the Club’s view was that it was more sensible to solve the problems at root rather than open up multiple places for fans to go with ticketing issues. We accepted that point.
We also made the point that there appeared to be a number of systemic issues, for example double selling of seats at the Dortmund game, that needed addressing with Ticketmaster, and we were assured that those issues are being discussed.
While the ticketing issues are well known, and we’ve made our views clear directly to the Club and in regular updates on our website, it’s also the case that some – just some – of the issues at the gates are being caused by supporters bringing the wrong entry card or not printing paper tickets after being informed they needed to by email. We are glad to see that the Club is issuing clear advice on entering the stadium before every game, and we’d emphasise the point that making sure you bring the correct ticket or card will help reduce problems and enable other issues to be dealt with more quickly and efficiently.
We’ve also received lots of feedback about stewarding at Wembley, and we continue to discuss this with the Club and Wembley. The biggest issue is how persistent standing is dealt with, and we receive complaints from people who want to stand and those who want to sit. We understand that the current terms of stadium licences mean that stadium staff must prevent persistent standing, but we also continue to advocate a common sense approach by stewards – one that has also been shown to encourage peer to peer management of the issue so that fans can enjoy watching the game as they want. While we accept this can be a difficult issue to manage, we don’t believe the over-zealous stewarding seen in some sections during the Barnsley cup tie helps. We also continue to push for THFC stewards to have a higher profile working with Wembley staff, particularly in the West Lower as their knowledge and familiarity with the crowd could be beneficial.
4. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRICING
We commented on Champions League pricing for the Real Madrid and APOEL Nicosia games at Wembley here, reflecting the views of many fans who commented on social media and to us in person.
We recognise the commercial pressures on the Club but would have welcomed the chance to have some input into this decision.
Last season, accessibly-priced Champions League multipacks were one of the most popular measures the Club introduced. This season’s multipacks also represent good value, albeit within the context of overall stadium pricing – a subject we’ve commented on at length. But we feel the match price should have been communicated at the same time as the packs were sold – as is common practice at other English clubs competing in the competition.
We also felt that it was unfair to extend the multipack sales window after the draw was made. Fans opted to commit money up front without knowing dates or opponents, and we feel that commitment deserved recognition – the principle applied last season. This year, fans who knew dates and opponents were able to purchase multipacks at the same price as those who paid ‘blind’.
More seriously, Season Ticket holders and members who may well have had good reason not to buy multipacks have been hit by the Club’s decision to make the Real Madrid Game a Cat A game, and to raise prices for the APOEL Nicosia game. We don’t feel any group stage games merit Cat A pricing, especially as this raises the prospect of even higher pricing should the Club progress beyond the group stage.
5. WEST HAM UNITED AWAY ADVICE - 23 SEPTEMBER
We took part in one of the regular meetings held for fan reps, clubs and the police well in advance of our visit to the London Stadium for the West Ham game. A report on that meeting can be found here. It had appeared to be a productive meeting, so we were surprised to find out several days before the game was played that Pudding Mill Lane, the station nominated as the main entry and exit route for away fans, was closed for scheduled engineering work, along with a section of the TFL overground. It seems the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police, the stadium operators and WHUFC were unaware of this.
It was also frustrating not to receive information from WHUFC about the visit until a day before the game, and even then some promised information never materialised.
We also received late notice that there would be no alcohol served at half time for visiting fans. Our position has always been that paying customers should be given full access to all facilities unless there is a specific, good reason not to do so. It’s a position we’ve argued for fans visiting our stadium too. We don’t believe a half-time beer turns normally law-abiding individuals into a security threat. This decision was particularly regrettable considering there had been only 4 arrests in total at the corresponding fixture last year and that the security categorisation of the game had been reduced.
We’ll be speaking to our colleagues at the Football Supporters Federation to see if some co-ordinated pressure from all fans groups can be applied to ensure fans are treated as they should be.
6. WEST HAM CARABAO CUP TIE - 25 OCTOBER
We were pleased to see THFC opted to retain its progressive cup ticket pricing approach for the fourth round League Cup tie against West Ham United, pricing tickets at £20 and £10, with £25 tickets in Club Wembley. Given the perceived approach of Premier League clubs to the competition, and the early stage it is at, we can also see the logic of closing Wembley’s top tier for this game.
We also welcomed the pricing for the previous round of this competition against Barnsley, which saw adults charged just £10 and concessions £5. The attendance was roughly the same as it had been for this level of opposition at this stage in the competition in previous seasons. We suggested there were a number of other factors that influenced the size of the crowd; it was the third game at Wembley in six days, it was a 8pm kick-off and so a later finish for a journey a proportion of our fans find challenging, and there was widespread expectation Spurs would field a B team. Discontent about previous pricing decisions may also have had some influence.
7. KICK OFF TIMES WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH SKY SPORTS AND TOM WATSON
THST members of the FSF’s Kick-off Times Working Group had a busy month with a third meeting with Sky Sports at their Osterley studios (11 Sept) discussing the impact of games moved for broadcast on matchgoing fans. Especially with the new TV deal in mind and the 22 additional slots set to be introduced from 2019 onwards. While progress is slow on this, Sky has shown more willingness to engage than BT Sport or the Premier League. We continue to press for a meeting where all stakeholders are present.
Some of the discussion considered the practicalities of helping with transport for away fans attending games that are moved for TV. This discussion continued when the group met Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party, at Westminster on 20 September. He’d asked for a briefing to help Labour develop its Fan Fare policy – a plan to introduce flexible rail tickets for football fans. This was an extremely positive meeting and work looks set to progress.
Regrettably, it became clear as we completed this newsletter that the current TV deal included provision to schedule games on Christmas Eve, and that matches at 1.30pm and 4pm on that day were being considered. Along with other fan groups across the Premier League, we issued a statement opposing the scheduling of matches on Christmas Eve.
8. SUPPORTERS DIRECT/ SKINS ROADSHOW – 14 SEPTEMBER
THST was represented at a public meeting held at Leyton Orient FC as part of a fans rights roadshow promoted by Supporters Direct and sportswear company SKINS. The roadshow attracted some positive publicity about the need to reform the way the game is run, and THST will continue to assist in efforts to develop some clear policies to achieve this, along with colleagues from other Trusts and fan groups.
9. FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION NETWORK MEETING – 21 SEPTEMBER
THST attended the regular meeting of Premier League fan groups ahead of the meeting between fans and the Premier League. Subjects covered included the need to preserve and expand upon the £30 away price cap when the next TV deal kicks in, safe standing, and governance reform.
Other:
- Business Community Liaison Meeting – 5 September
THST made the point that supporters will need to know well in advance of any potential issues at either station and added it would be beneficial for the Club to offer travel advice as early as possible once this current campaign ends.
During the meeting construction company MACE confirmed Park Lane re-opened on 21 August, as planned. High Road residents complained of noise throughout the night with representatives from MACE and THFC saying they will look into the matter.
An update on the Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) confirmed that as well as looking into future issues and solutions at the new stadium it was also monitoring the temporary toilets at Wembley Way and would be moving them to various locations around the stadium should the need become apparent. This would also be the case when the new stadium opens and is in use.
- Ride London Football Grounds – 1 September
Off towards the Woolwich foot tunnel en route to Charlton Athletic and our first stadium visit of the day. Unfortunately, Arsenal had crossed the Thames in the other direction but their once near neighbours gave us a pitchside welcome and a greeting from their legend Keith Peacock, the first substitute to take the field in English football, fellow cyclist Rob White informed us.
On to Millwall, then Palace where we were joined by two Chelsea riders. Next AFC Wimbledon where yet another Spurs fan joined the ride, then Brentford and QPR; unfortunately no Sir Les this year as the club was gearing up to hosting the match for Grenfell Tower.
Then on to Fulham and another pitchside welcome; always enjoyable and usually rewarding to visit the Cottage. Up the road to Stamford Bridge, not such good memories but very good hosts; a tour of the press room, the dressing rooms, the pitch and the league trophy. On to Arsenal, then a visit to Lilywhite House and a photo by the famous cockerel and clock, followed by a ride past our nearby first grounds, a pleasant pedal by the side of the Lee and finally Leyton Orient.
12 grounds, 85 miles. And great fun for a very worthy cause. Trust Board member Kevin Fitzgerald initiated the ride last year and it’s now on the calendar as an annual event. So, if anyone else fancies it, you are welcome to join us next year. Even better, why not register as part of the Cycle On You Spurs team for the June 2018 London to Amsterdam ride.
- Zeelo coach travel to Wembley
- Away pub at Wembley
- London Designer Outlet discount
Media:
Ride London Grounds in the Ham and High
THST Secretary, Pete Haine, in GQ
A reminder…
iSpurs information portal
The Club has also set up a new, dedicated information portal online which answers many of the questions we are frequently contacted with. We’d urge fans to read and familiarise themselves with the details available on the portal as we continue to receive a high volume of questions asking for this information.
THST Board
2 October 2017
For more exclusive and live updates follow us on our social media sites:
Twitter: @THSTOfficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/THSTOfficial
LinkedIn: Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust
TO BECOME A TRUST MEMBER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.