Updates On:
Fan Engagement at THFC
One Year on from the Fan Led Review of Football Governance
Marseille away
Ticketing Meeting with THFC
THST Official Podcast
Last Word on Spurs Podcast
Full members’ Forum
Fan Engagement at THFC
One Year on from the Fan Led Review of Football Governance
Marseille away
Ticketing Meeting with THFC
THST Official Podcast
Last Word on Spurs Podcast
Full members’ Forum
1. FAN ENGAGEMENT AT THFC
As we reported last month, discussions are continuing with the Club regarding the establishment of a Fan Advisory Board at Tottenham Hotspur. In the latest meeting we made good progress on a number of issues, but there are remaining outstanding matters to resolve and we are awaiting further revised documentation from the Club.
Our position remains that the arrangements put in place must be such that discussions regarding a European Super League could not have taken place in secret without the knowledge of the representatives of fans. Also, the Premier League has now agreed its Fan Engagement Standard and we are working to ensure that the arrangements put in place by the Club substantially exceed that minimum standard and we are confident that will be the case.
The Fan Advisory Board will not, of course, be the only channel for fan engagement with the Club. THST will continue to represent fans direct with the Club, as the only independent, democratic organisation representing supporters across the range of all issues.
2. ONE YEAR ON FROM THE FAN LED REVIEW OF FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE
The discussions regarding fan engagement are taking place in the context of the Fan Led Review of Football Governance (‘FLR”) led by Tracey Crouch, whose report was published in November 2021. Co-Chairs Rachel Martin and Steve Cavalier attended a meeting in Parliament this month to launch the report “One Year On” measuring progress in the twelve months since the initial recommendations.
It is fair to say that progress has been limited. The government response in April 2022 accepted or supported all of the strategic recommendations of the FLR, including an independent regulator for football, and promised a White Paper on the legislation necessary to implement those recommendations which need changes to the law. The government has not made any commitment to the timetable for that White Paper. The Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, was at the meeting and whilst he said that this was his “number one priority” he was unable to say anything more about the timing other than he hoped it would be “soon”.
Tracey Crouch said at the meeting, and in the report, that her recommendations must be implemented in full and are not “an a la carte menu”. She also outlined how events in the last year have made the need for reforms clearer than ever. We had the opportunity to discuss the FLR and recommendations with Tracey and with politicians from across the political spectrum, representatives of the football authorities, the Football Supporters’ Association and other supporters’ trusts. We will continue to push with other groups for the full implementation of the recommendations.
3. MARSEILLE AWAY
Our final group stage match away to Marseille proved to be a success on and off the pitch, resulting in qualification to the knock-out stages for the team, and a relatively problem free experience for supporters. It was always going to be a match that presented challenges and a lot of work went into making it as safe and pleasant an experience as possible for Spurs fans. THST worked extensively with Levi Harris, Supporter Liaison Officer at Spurs, as well as Football Supporters Europe, to use prior knowledge and experiences at the planning stages. We were able to provide supplementary advice to supporters on top of the official Club communications, and of course we pushed for the best deal possible for our fans.
We would be grateful if those who travelled to Marseille would complete this short survey on behalf of Football Supporters Europe using this link: FSE Survey giving their feedback on what went well and any concerns.
4. TICKETING MEETING WITH THFC
We have a meeting with the Club this week to discuss ticketing. There is a lot to discuss and we have a packed agenda.
Amongst the issues we will be discussing are Season Ticket renewals, pricing and timing for 2023/24; outstanding issues regarding the Half Season Tickets (reported in our last newsletter) and issues around the Club’s policy and practice in Concessions.
We’ll also be discussing concerns around away ticketing and around the pricing of tickets for home Champions League games, with the AC Milan fixture to come. Booking fees will also feature in our discussion as well as issues around Ticket Exchange and Ticket Share.
The meeting comes too late for this newsletter, but we will update in our next newsletter.
5. THST OFFICIAL PODCAST
In the latest THST Official podcast Trust Board member Martin Buhagiar and Co-Chair Rachel Martin meet James Black @thevoiceofspurs to discuss the disappointing Liverpool defeat and the Champions League draw, before James gets the guitar out and performs a few of our favourite songs. James performs regularly at the stadium on matchdays and details of where to find him are included in the podcast. THST Podcast with The Voice of Spurs James Black
In our second podcast of the month THST Board Member Henry Ellis and Co-Chair Rachel Martin meet Tim Winstone from @SpursSongsheet to hear about the fan-led initiative to develop player songs and enhance the matchday atmosphere. Tim shares some favourite Spurs songs and explains how supporters can share their ideas for new songs. Tim can also be found on certain matchdays at the stadium, Here's the link: THST Podcast with Tim Winstone from Spurs Songsheet
6. LAST WORD ON SPURS PODCAST
THST Co-Chairs Steve Cavalier and Rachel Martin were recently the guests on a pre-recorded edition of Last Word on Spurs. This was a very useful opportunity to talk about the key areas that we have been working on, as well as to answer queries that listeners raised via Twitter. The podcast will be aired on Sunday 4 December and is available on all the usual channels including iTunes and YouTube.
7. FULL MEMBERS’ FORUM
This month on the Forum we have been discussing a range of topics including ticketing points and the amount of away tickets made available to season ticket holders, the need for better provision for those who cycle to Spurs, leaking beer cups, Wi-Fi coverage in the stadium and the implications of new access cards for 1882 supporters. Come and join in the conversations: THST Forum
The THST Forum is open to full and life members of the Trust. Full and life members should apply via the link on our website and set up an account. We should emphasise Trust membership alone doesn’t give you automatic access to the forum, you need to register via the link.
To join the Trust, please register here. To upgrade from free Associate Membership of the Trust to Full membership, please click here. If you’re already a Full or Life member of the Trust, click here to register for our Forum.
THST Board
1 December 2022
As we reported last month, discussions are continuing with the Club regarding the establishment of a Fan Advisory Board at Tottenham Hotspur. In the latest meeting we made good progress on a number of issues, but there are remaining outstanding matters to resolve and we are awaiting further revised documentation from the Club.
Our position remains that the arrangements put in place must be such that discussions regarding a European Super League could not have taken place in secret without the knowledge of the representatives of fans. Also, the Premier League has now agreed its Fan Engagement Standard and we are working to ensure that the arrangements put in place by the Club substantially exceed that minimum standard and we are confident that will be the case.
The Fan Advisory Board will not, of course, be the only channel for fan engagement with the Club. THST will continue to represent fans direct with the Club, as the only independent, democratic organisation representing supporters across the range of all issues.
2. ONE YEAR ON FROM THE FAN LED REVIEW OF FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE
The discussions regarding fan engagement are taking place in the context of the Fan Led Review of Football Governance (‘FLR”) led by Tracey Crouch, whose report was published in November 2021. Co-Chairs Rachel Martin and Steve Cavalier attended a meeting in Parliament this month to launch the report “One Year On” measuring progress in the twelve months since the initial recommendations.
It is fair to say that progress has been limited. The government response in April 2022 accepted or supported all of the strategic recommendations of the FLR, including an independent regulator for football, and promised a White Paper on the legislation necessary to implement those recommendations which need changes to the law. The government has not made any commitment to the timetable for that White Paper. The Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, was at the meeting and whilst he said that this was his “number one priority” he was unable to say anything more about the timing other than he hoped it would be “soon”.
Tracey Crouch said at the meeting, and in the report, that her recommendations must be implemented in full and are not “an a la carte menu”. She also outlined how events in the last year have made the need for reforms clearer than ever. We had the opportunity to discuss the FLR and recommendations with Tracey and with politicians from across the political spectrum, representatives of the football authorities, the Football Supporters’ Association and other supporters’ trusts. We will continue to push with other groups for the full implementation of the recommendations.
3. MARSEILLE AWAY
Our final group stage match away to Marseille proved to be a success on and off the pitch, resulting in qualification to the knock-out stages for the team, and a relatively problem free experience for supporters. It was always going to be a match that presented challenges and a lot of work went into making it as safe and pleasant an experience as possible for Spurs fans. THST worked extensively with Levi Harris, Supporter Liaison Officer at Spurs, as well as Football Supporters Europe, to use prior knowledge and experiences at the planning stages. We were able to provide supplementary advice to supporters on top of the official Club communications, and of course we pushed for the best deal possible for our fans.
We would be grateful if those who travelled to Marseille would complete this short survey on behalf of Football Supporters Europe using this link: FSE Survey giving their feedback on what went well and any concerns.
4. TICKETING MEETING WITH THFC
We have a meeting with the Club this week to discuss ticketing. There is a lot to discuss and we have a packed agenda.
Amongst the issues we will be discussing are Season Ticket renewals, pricing and timing for 2023/24; outstanding issues regarding the Half Season Tickets (reported in our last newsletter) and issues around the Club’s policy and practice in Concessions.
We’ll also be discussing concerns around away ticketing and around the pricing of tickets for home Champions League games, with the AC Milan fixture to come. Booking fees will also feature in our discussion as well as issues around Ticket Exchange and Ticket Share.
The meeting comes too late for this newsletter, but we will update in our next newsletter.
5. THST OFFICIAL PODCAST
In the latest THST Official podcast Trust Board member Martin Buhagiar and Co-Chair Rachel Martin meet James Black @thevoiceofspurs to discuss the disappointing Liverpool defeat and the Champions League draw, before James gets the guitar out and performs a few of our favourite songs. James performs regularly at the stadium on matchdays and details of where to find him are included in the podcast. THST Podcast with The Voice of Spurs James Black
In our second podcast of the month THST Board Member Henry Ellis and Co-Chair Rachel Martin meet Tim Winstone from @SpursSongsheet to hear about the fan-led initiative to develop player songs and enhance the matchday atmosphere. Tim shares some favourite Spurs songs and explains how supporters can share their ideas for new songs. Tim can also be found on certain matchdays at the stadium, Here's the link: THST Podcast with Tim Winstone from Spurs Songsheet
6. LAST WORD ON SPURS PODCAST
THST Co-Chairs Steve Cavalier and Rachel Martin were recently the guests on a pre-recorded edition of Last Word on Spurs. This was a very useful opportunity to talk about the key areas that we have been working on, as well as to answer queries that listeners raised via Twitter. The podcast will be aired on Sunday 4 December and is available on all the usual channels including iTunes and YouTube.
7. FULL MEMBERS’ FORUM
This month on the Forum we have been discussing a range of topics including ticketing points and the amount of away tickets made available to season ticket holders, the need for better provision for those who cycle to Spurs, leaking beer cups, Wi-Fi coverage in the stadium and the implications of new access cards for 1882 supporters. Come and join in the conversations: THST Forum
The THST Forum is open to full and life members of the Trust. Full and life members should apply via the link on our website and set up an account. We should emphasise Trust membership alone doesn’t give you automatic access to the forum, you need to register via the link.
To join the Trust, please register here. To upgrade from free Associate Membership of the Trust to Full membership, please click here. If you’re already a Full or Life member of the Trust, click here to register for our Forum.
THST Board
1 December 2022