 | Thanks to all who attended last week’s AGM and to those who voted by proxy beforehand. |
As a Board we would also like to personally thank those present for their supportive words. It was heartening to feel the backing in the room and to hear such encouraging statements from those in attendance with regards to the work we continue to do.
We welcome Tristan Foot and James Glick to the Board. Two extremely experienced professionals in their field and two people who bring fresh ideas to the Trust.
Congratulations to current Board member and Fan Advisory Board member Steve Cavalier who was re-elected to the Board.
Board member and Secretary Koonal Shah stood down at the AGM after joining in February 2022. We thank him for his hard work and commitment and wish him the best for the future. You can read more on our AGM by clicking here.
Dealing with two resignations in 2023 was challenging and left us light in some areas. The new appointments have already energised us, and some of the longer term work we embarked on in 2023 – for example a complete rebuild of our website – is coming to fruition and will leave us better placed to communicate and engage with our membership and the wider Spurs fanbase in general.
The evening before our AGM it was disappointing to read an article written by Martin Cloake and Katrina Law, former Co-Chairs of the Trust, who both decided to step down from their roles in 2022, criticising our work.
We do not believe there was need for a public statement. We would have been happy to meet them or discuss their concerns over a call. Sadly, they did not reach out to us, warn us of their intentions or even send their statement to the Board to consider.
As THST Chair Martin Buhagiar said at the AGM, we have no axe to grind with our former Co-Chairs – indeed, we explicitly thanked them for their help and support in the Annual Statement, for example. They have had good and ongoing communications with several of our current Board members over the last 12 months, so we were all surprised by the tone, timing and content of their statement.
Those present at the AGM heard Martin say the last year had been one of consolidation and growth, with work completed that will stand us in good stead for the future. The last 12 months have also seen the introduction of the Club’s Fan Advisory Board. The establishment of the FAB complements existing arrangements between THST and the Club, but it is important to reiterate its role and the continued position of the Trust. We, as a Trust, will continue to represent supporters directly with the Club on off-field matters including fixture scheduling, ticketing operations, policing and safety, catering, safeguarding, transport, fan engagement and community work. This is enshrined in a written Memorandum of Understanding agreed between us, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust and the Club.
We are stronger when we, as supporters, are one but this is not without its challenges. Our biggest critics are sometimes fellow Spurs fans and, while we take that on the chin, it can be disappointing when some claim there is an ulterior motive to the work we are doing, that current Board members care less or even do less. Our former Co-Chairs, and other former Board members, faced similar criticism on social media when they were in the role and know first-hand how such statements can take its toll on volunteers doing their best whilst also dealing with the demands of day jobs and life in general.
That makes this statement and its timing all the more disappointing. We know we are an easy target but we signed up to the job and will continue to do our best representing the supporters of the Club we all love. We are stronger when Spurs fans are together and focused on holding the Club to account for the decisions it makes. This Board is united in our determination to do that for the benefit of all Spurs supporters.
THST Board
3 March 2024
We welcome Tristan Foot and James Glick to the Board. Two extremely experienced professionals in their field and two people who bring fresh ideas to the Trust.
Congratulations to current Board member and Fan Advisory Board member Steve Cavalier who was re-elected to the Board.
Board member and Secretary Koonal Shah stood down at the AGM after joining in February 2022. We thank him for his hard work and commitment and wish him the best for the future. You can read more on our AGM by clicking here.
Dealing with two resignations in 2023 was challenging and left us light in some areas. The new appointments have already energised us, and some of the longer term work we embarked on in 2023 – for example a complete rebuild of our website – is coming to fruition and will leave us better placed to communicate and engage with our membership and the wider Spurs fanbase in general.
The evening before our AGM it was disappointing to read an article written by Martin Cloake and Katrina Law, former Co-Chairs of the Trust, who both decided to step down from their roles in 2022, criticising our work.
We do not believe there was need for a public statement. We would have been happy to meet them or discuss their concerns over a call. Sadly, they did not reach out to us, warn us of their intentions or even send their statement to the Board to consider.
As THST Chair Martin Buhagiar said at the AGM, we have no axe to grind with our former Co-Chairs – indeed, we explicitly thanked them for their help and support in the Annual Statement, for example. They have had good and ongoing communications with several of our current Board members over the last 12 months, so we were all surprised by the tone, timing and content of their statement.
Those present at the AGM heard Martin say the last year had been one of consolidation and growth, with work completed that will stand us in good stead for the future. The last 12 months have also seen the introduction of the Club’s Fan Advisory Board. The establishment of the FAB complements existing arrangements between THST and the Club, but it is important to reiterate its role and the continued position of the Trust. We, as a Trust, will continue to represent supporters directly with the Club on off-field matters including fixture scheduling, ticketing operations, policing and safety, catering, safeguarding, transport, fan engagement and community work. This is enshrined in a written Memorandum of Understanding agreed between us, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust and the Club.
We are stronger when we, as supporters, are one but this is not without its challenges. Our biggest critics are sometimes fellow Spurs fans and, while we take that on the chin, it can be disappointing when some claim there is an ulterior motive to the work we are doing, that current Board members care less or even do less. Our former Co-Chairs, and other former Board members, faced similar criticism on social media when they were in the role and know first-hand how such statements can take its toll on volunteers doing their best whilst also dealing with the demands of day jobs and life in general.
That makes this statement and its timing all the more disappointing. We know we are an easy target but we signed up to the job and will continue to do our best representing the supporters of the Club we all love. We are stronger when Spurs fans are together and focused on holding the Club to account for the decisions it makes. This Board is united in our determination to do that for the benefit of all Spurs supporters.
THST Board
3 March 2024