Just thought you might want to have a read of the minutes from Wednesday's meeting. Lots of information about the New Stadium etc.
THST/THFC Board to Board Meeting - 10 February 2016
THST Board:
Katrina Law, Co-chair
Martin Cloake, Co-chair
Kevin Fitzgerald
Paul Head
THFC Board:
Daniel Levy, Chairman
Donna Cullen, Executive Director
Sue Tilling, Safety Officer
Ian Murphy, Head of Ticketing & Membership
Jonathan Waite, Head of Supporter Services
1. Communications
Fan communications
2. Leaving White Hart Lane
3. Stadium/ Northumberland Development Project
4. Ground share
5. Ticketing
6. January transfer window
7. AOB
ACTION POINTS
The next meeting of the Boards of THST and THFC to be scheduled for late May 2016.
THST/THFC Board to Board Meeting - 10 February 2016
THST Board:
Katrina Law, Co-chair
Martin Cloake, Co-chair
Kevin Fitzgerald
Paul Head
THFC Board:
Daniel Levy, Chairman
Donna Cullen, Executive Director
Sue Tilling, Safety Officer
Ian Murphy, Head of Ticketing & Membership
Jonathan Waite, Head of Supporter Services
1. Communications
Fan communications
- MC opened up the meeting by referencing the marked improvement in communications between the Club and fans over the preceding months. The ‘away day’ emails sent to travelling supporters ahead of each away fixture were recognised as being practical and useful; Social media was now providing helpful as well as playful, engaging content; the recent Fan Forum had been warmly received; Q&A sessions with Daniel Levy (DL) and Mauricio Pochettino (MP) had been met positively and statements on key developments off field were being issued promptly. MC encouraged THFC to keep up the good work here
- KL expressed the view that ‘Window wraps’ should be issued as best practice at the close of each transfer window, explaining the approach and strategy taken during a crucial time of the season. THFC was open minded to this but felt its strategy had been well documented already by MP over the previous months
- KL stressed the Club could never communicate too often with its fans. Not everyone engaged with their digital channels and not all fans would have heard or understood earlier statements
- KL referenced the connection between the team and the fans right now. The ‘synergy’ as MP referred to it. The #TogetherTHFC hashtag meant something. That was something all acknowledged as being valued and extremely positive
- KL commented how the THST relationship with the THFC Board was now into its third year and there was an appreciation of how each other operated. THST worked alongside the Club when mutually beneficial and pushed back where objectives differed but always maintained a pragmatic, reasonable approach. DC said she felt the Board was highly accessible and probably more so than at most other Premier League clubs, which THST acknowledged
- THST understood it wasn’t practical to be consulted on or informed of every issue as the stadium build project progressed but key points that directly affected fans should be shared by the Club rather than THST hearing from external sources
- THFC explained that the stadium project team now numbered over 70 staff. It was an extremely complex project with many variables and it wasn’t always reasonably possible to communicate all of those variables
- There was a commitment from THFC to keep THST in the loop as far as was practically possible, accepting our role as a conduit between the Club and fans and as a sounding board, when appropriate
2. Leaving White Hart Lane
- With the 2016/17 season looking likely to be the last at the current White Hart Lane, THST was keen to learn what plans were in place to mark the departure from our historic, iconic stadium. KF relayed the feelings of many supporters who hold WHL close to their hearts and stressed the emotional connection most feel to the old ground. Would fans have the opportunity to feed into ideas and plans for this landmark season?
- THFC confirmed that a dedicated committee had been established to work specifically on events, occasions and memorabilia for the final year at WHL, tasked with also maintaining continuity. We were leaving but we would also be coming home again
- THST was reassured to learn THFC clearly placed as much emphasis on the importance of marking this occasion as the fans
- DC confirmed there would be a mechanism in place for fans to put suggestions forward in due course. That was encouraged by the Club, who didn’t want to overlook or miss any great ideas
- THFC confirmed that the former Heritage committee was now the Museum committee
- THFC confirmed that the former Transport committee would not be reactivated at this stage and would be kept under review
3. Stadium/ Northumberland Development Project
- KL asked for an update on the second stage sign off of the stadium plans. Following the approval of Haringey Council in mid-December, was there a reason for the delay in this going in front of Boris Johnson? THFC reassured THST that the time had been spent ensuring that every detail was correct and the plans should be with the Mayor within the next month
- KF asked whether any further issues were envisaged in terms of the Heritage Buildings. It was hoped the merits of the scheme would override any residual concerns here. THST’s letter to Boris Johnson was thought to have helped, also
- THFC stressed that Grade II Warmington House will have millions invested in it under the current plans to incorporate into the Museum and have its future secured
- MC asked for an update on Construction Phase 2. DL confirmed that Mace had been construction consultants on the project for 6 weeks and were working through detailed timetables at present. Completion was still aimed for August 2018. DL explained that he hoped to be in a position to discuss in much more detail by the time of our next meeting (May 2016)
- KL checked that the immediate timetable was as indicated during our last meeting in September 2015: Contractor in place by Q1 2016 (Mace appointed as consultant contractor), planning permission would hopefully be granted in February 2016 with financing in place during Q1 2016 also. DL stated that the funding was not yet finalised as it needed Mace to conduct more work in terms of costing out the total project
- PH followed up on the S106 conditions, especially the concerns over the percentage of affordable housing in the scheme. DC explained that THFC had delivered 36 units at Berland Court, 222 units at Brooke House and planning was about to be submitted on 500 White Hart Lane, yet another Club scheme with affordable units. DC explained that despite this substantial delivery of affordable housing in the near vicinity, planning rules did not take this into account as ‘offset’ for the new planning application but the Club was clear that it had certainly provided affordable within the area. In respect of the stadium site scheme, given the residential part was not currently viable the Club had agreed a review mechanism
4. Ground share
- KL began by asking for an update on Wembley. Have we matched Chelsea’s money yet? THFC confirmed that the FA was positively engaged in talks with the Club
- KL asked for confirmation of the timescale here. When would the FA make a decision? When would the Club need an absolute answer? THFC confirmed that they were working for a decision asap which would be communicated to supporters at the earliest possible opportunity
5. Ticketing
- KL thanked IM and JW for their time ahead of the Sunderland match at what had been the first in a series of specific ticketing meetings as we move to the season away and into the new stadium
- Before any future pricing policy could be discussed, the pricing for next season needed to be addressed. KL referred to THFC’s statement from last March indicating an average increase of less than 2% in season ticket and match day pricing for the 2016/17 season – a move THST has opposed for the past year. THST reiterated that, in the current climate, we saw no justification for any price rise next season. THST urged the Club to consider the damage to that strong bond with the supporters at the moment – the #TogetherTHFC feel good factor
- THFC reiterated that it needed to take into consideration the bank financing arrangements it was securing based on incoming revenues
- THFC reiterated the uniqueness of their situation in that they were the only Club embarking on a private stadium build of this size
- THFC stated that no decision had been taken on next season’s pricing as yet and the date of an announcement would soon be confirmed. [It was confirmed after the meeting that an announcement would be made by April]
- Looking ahead to the new stadium, PH asked whether there were any key learnings from the ISG Survey issued last Autumn. IM explained that there was a huge amount of data from the 13,000 completed responses which had been segmented and analysed
- PH touched on one of the initiatives suggested in the ISG survey – the Founder Members Scheme (FMS). Was this still on the table? THFC responded that the FMS had received backing in the survey responses
- THST wasn’t against Debenture schemes, but it was against Debenture schemes that gave those with no current formal affinity to THFC the chance to jump the ST waiting list and to take priority for away tickets
- KL and MC requested clarification of the benefits of the FMS
- THFC were keen to emphasise that they were merely at the stage of considering all options. THST expressed the view that this particular option should not be considered
- MC asked what kind of figures the Club were hoping for from ticket revenue in the new stadium? IM responded that numerous models had been presented and numbers were being crunched
- MC asked whether the percentage of ST holders in the new stadium would remain constant with the percentage of ST holders in WHL, which is around 65%. This was not yet decided
- THST stressed fans on the Waiting List should be informed as soon as a decision has been made
- The discussion then moved onto the national campaign around away tickets. KL recapped THST’s stance on pushing for a cap on away tickets (£30 has been suggested), an increased Away Supporters’ Initiative, an end to away match categorisation and the introduction of a young adult category for 18-21 year olds. KL has attended regular meetings with the Premier League as part of the Football Supporters’ Federation fan delegation over the past 2 years around this subject
- KL asked for clarification as to THFC’s stance at the Premier League Shareholders meeting the previous Thursday
- Had THFC opposed the proposed cap on away ticket pricing?
- THFC said the ballot was private. DL explained his thinking about the subject of a cap
- DL said he questioned the principle of prices being set centrally, asking for an example of another industry where there was a central control over pricing. There was concern that once a precedent was set with away pricing, home pricing would be next and given THFC’s position with the stadium build, a ceiling on ticket revenue would be very harmful to financial modelling
- DL also explained that he was concerned that away fans visiting WHL should pay less than home fans. There was a feeling home fans would be angered by away fans sitting across the divide from them having paid less money
- KL pointed out that all away fans were home fans too and expressed her opinion that that argument had no proof or substance. A Spurs fan sitting in WHL for a Sunday midday kick off against Newcastle would recognise the effort and cost that Newcastle fan had put in to be at the match in the first place, often in inferior accommodation and with inferior facilities (although not the case at WHL)
- A £30 cap on away tickets would save a Spurs fan attending 19 away league matches £284.00 based on current pricing. This was a lot of money. KL asked for justification as to why THFC, when receiving a share of £8.3 billion of TV money, should deny fans that saving?
- DL stressed that he did recognise the cost of attending matches was too high – as expressed in previous meetings – and was in favour of heavily subsidising travel. There were logistical issues to overcome to make that work but THFC would support a heavy subsidy on travel to matches through a voucher system (including petrol) and through work with the rail providers
- The Club would be looking at examples to see if in fact fans could actually save more with subsidised travel than a capped ticket price. THFC underlined that this was not a money issue as the ASI would in fact carry a higher cost to clubs than the price cap
- THST expressed the opinion that only by reducing ticket pricing would all travelling fans uniformly benefit
- MC asked for clarification that THFC would back a significantly increased Away Supporters’ Initiative and DL confirmed that an increased ASI would deliver the subsidised travel so, yes
- KL explained the current mood within fan groups nationally is one of frustration that this subject has been discussed for the past 2 years at least with no resolution. The next meeting of the Premier League Shareholders in late March was the last opportunity to agree to something meaningful before the TV money was allocated
- DL agreed and confirmed the matter would be on the agenda at that meeting and that there was a will to agree to a meaningful initiative – it was identifying the right mechanism which had caused the prolonged discussions
- PH asked for an update on this season’s Away Supporters’ Initiative, currently set at £200,000 per club. Would it be possible for THFC to better communicate how that money is being spent? JW agreed to host these details on the Spurs official website. To be actioned
6. January transfer window
- KF referenced the consistent message from DL throughout previous meetings in terms of THFC’s long term strategy. Back in November 2014, DL explained that MP would be assessing the squad for fitness, application, attitude etc. and several would be leaving the Club. That’s precisely what has transpired and a great example of how a consistent message can really help fans appreciate the approach
- DL also explained that transfer funds would be available should MP identify a player he felt could improve our squad. Funds had been available in January. MP was not a manager who believed that by simply spending, the squad would be improved. The decision to not sign a striker was MP’s, and although he would have perhaps liked a young striker, he will only sign a player of the quality that can make a difference
- DL explained how John McDermott was now in charge of everything below the first team, including the U21’s. There was regular dialogue with J McD and MP and Paul Mitchell regarding recruitment and talent
- All 3 would be considering whether we have the talent under our first team that we could promote up. The approach is always to try and promote up if possible
- DL referenced that the Fazio loan deal had been possible because MP, J McD and PM are confident in the abilities of a younger player to step up to the first team if required
- DL reiterated that money remained available for transfers for the right players. THFC was effectively running 2 different businesses at present – the Football Club and the Stadium
- In response to fan questions, THST asked when MP would be rewarded with a new contract? DL replied there are 3.5 years left on the current one at this stage
7. AOB
- MC asked ST for an update on securing fan representation on the Haringey Safety Advisory Group. ST responded that one member of THST had been invited to attend the next SAG session in May
- MC asked for FSF training to be followed up on, also. It was agreed to properly discuss how all this would be achieved in a separate, dedicated meeting
- MC referred to the meetings with the Metropolitan Police and Woolwich around the North London derbies this season, with the next meeting scheduled for Monday evening at New Scotland Yard. KL agreed to forward fan feed-back on stewarding and policing from the match at the Emirates in November onto JW and ST ahead of that session
- KL asked for further details of the commercial partnership with EZTrader after several members had voiced concerns over the brand association with an unregulated, binary options trader. This included the activation elements of the deal. JW confirmed that they were in fact regulated and full details would be sent to the THST
- PH referred to the numerous complaints around match day catering – no hot food, not enough stock, massive queues etc. THST said the general view of match day catering at WHL was that it was not good enough across the board. THST included a catering section in the End of Season Survey, which was passed onto Centerplate. No response was ever received. THST expressed their disappointment at this. JW agreed to facilitate another meeting between THST reps and Centerplate to try to resolve ongoing issues
- DC invited THST to nominate a representative to sit on the Stadium Construction Liaison Group, that was being set up to ensure all good communications to local stakeholders during the stadium build. THST agreed to discuss and confirm shortly
ACTION POINTS
- DC/JW/IM to review the comments made about the Founder Member Scheme in the survey responses with KL/MC and discuss that initiative further
- JW to arrange for a breakdown of how the Away Supporters’ Initiative is spent each season to be posted on the Spurs official website
- THST to confirm their representative at May’s Haringey SAG session
- ST to arrange a separate meeting to discuss SAG training with MC
- KL to email NLD policing and stewarding fan feed back to JW and ST
- DC to follow up with KL and MC on details of commercial partnership with EZTrader (done)
- JW to arrange a further meeting with Centerplate to discuss match day catering
- THST to confirm representative for Stadium Construction Liaison Group
The next meeting of the Boards of THST and THFC to be scheduled for late May 2016.
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