Open letter to Daniel Levy
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 9:40AM Morning.
You'll have seen Daniel Levy on Sky Sports News (special) yesterday evening, and probably found yourself struggling with the apparent sudden transparency he was offering in terms of Stratford and N17. The Northumberland Development Project is no longer viable. And if we fail with our bid to win the Olympic Site then Levy will look at other options - outside of Tottenham meaning that we are leaving White Hart Lane no matter what.
I'm sort of hoping this is a bluff, one final monumental bluff although quite how you can force Haringey and an angry Lammy to react to this in a favourable way is beyond me. Mainly because the fragmentation between local council and the club has created a 'us and them' name calling culture of blame. We'll skip around the politics relating to monies and funds ('broke' local council) and instead concentrate on what Levy told us in his interview.
Not a lot when you start asking questions. It was fairly blunt, I'm sure you'd agree.
Woke up this morning with the intention of writing him an open letter only to find that someone else has done the job perfectly and for anyone wondering why many of us are still searching for that fabled transparency - then click on the below, read the letter then scratch your head a little more.
Last night was not transparent in terms of understanding why remaining in North London is suddenly impossible.
To read the open letter by Martin Cloake click here.
Considering Daniel loves his inbox, let's hope he takes the time to read and reply to one that isn't quite patting him on the back.
Reader Comments (129)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23917211-west-ham-in-pole-position-for-olympic-stadium.do
Boom - Let this be true - COYS!!
West Ham have moved into the driving seat in the race to make the Olympic Stadium their new home.
Standard Sport understands that the only remaining obstacle in the club's bid to take over the £537million stadium after 2012 is finance.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company yesterday delayed a decision, expected on Friday, on recommending whether West Ham or Tottenham should be their preferred bidder.
It is understood that the OPLC's board concluded that the two bids were "strong" but wanted more financial details. West Ham's bid is said to be in "far better shape" than previously, with fewer concerns over whether they can raise the capital to become the stadium's new tenant.
But doubts remain over the longer- term viability of the club's financial plan, especially if they are relegated from the Premier League. Accountants are understood to have been called in to examine this issue. Hammers insiders insisted today, though, that the club's co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have put a personal guarantee in place to cover any shortfall in costs even if the worst happens.
One source closely involved in the decision said: "If you can reconcile an athletics legacy with a financially-sustainable long-term use, like a football club, then that would be squaring the circle."
Lord Coe, the London 2012 chairman, has been criticised for giving his public backing to West Ham for threatening to cast doubt on the decision process's impartiality. But another source said: "Although it was unhelpful, it's genuinely recognised there are strong legacy arguments for West Ham."
The Hammers want to create a 60,000-capacity arena for football, athletics, concerts and community use.
The club could be loaned some £40m by their local authority, Newham, to help with the plans.
The remaining questions over Tottenham's financial proposals, a joint-bid to build a 60,000 football-only stadium in conjunction with AEG, are said to be minor.
The recommendation of the OPLC board has to be ratified by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Mayor Boris Johnson. They are only likely to go against it if it turned out to be highly controversial.
Orient set to sue if anyone moves 'onto their patch'.
What would the hammers have as a capacity for Stratford if they moved there? Can't see them filling up 60k.
What was said earlier stands to reason - do we want West Ham having such a massive stadium and revenue?
Yes we do - Let them have big stadia and big revenue - wahoo : )
That's the article I referred to earlier Hazard what you on about.
thankfully their massive debts will hold them back for a while, as will a few years in the championship
Interesting reading here tonight going through all the posts.
All of us in the same boat, but very different opinions.
I say lets ride the ride, see where it goes, I've been reading this blog for quite a while and been interesting to see it grow and the same thing is happening with this stadium situation.
Truth be told none of us know what's going on, it's all opinion. Look at our current government - not one of us voted for that, but yet here we are.
I love Spurs, I love the Lane. And always will.
My boy is 5, he loves Spurs why wouldn't he, his Dad tells him he should - but will he remember the Lane if we move? Probably not. And if we move will he be a Tottenham Hotspur supporter with tradition? In my eyes Yes, for a lot of people posting here its a big No. I say you're wrong, things change.
The next generation may not get a chance to visit the Lane, but I never saw Greaves, Blanchflower, Gilzean play - to pick a few greats - but the names still mean something to me.
And I still think Levy is playing a good game. Levy out? You're mad.
Also anybody else annoyed we gave Arsenal a leg up on their way to a Wembley final?
Still pissed off how we treated that game.
North London derby? Doesn't matter that much to our manager.
no cause we couldnt have handles the carling games alongside the CL so Im glad we went out.
Yidal really? I thought you were all about the NLD and not chasing CL glory?
If your head can be turned that easy do you see why Levy thinks he can pull this off. We sold that game out then played a sub-reserve team and people accept it because of the CL.
You can't have it both ways, it matters or it doesn't. There's a great clip on youtube of the Bell and Hare before the 5-1 semi final. Brings back some good memories whenever I watch it. A few years later we have given up on these occasions for European glory and Levy like most of the fans wants more CL action than domestic League cup glory.
Amid all the arguments called to back Stratfort concept up, there are two, which bother me the most.
1. Availability of tickets. I already raised my concerns on this issue before. Btw, if anyone from the alleged 30k waiting list has never in their lives watched West Ham and would like to, so tickets are still on sale. And by mentioning this I don’t mean this game is not going to be sold out. It certainly will! I’m only saying this Wed morning the tickets are still available. That’s it. I know some have yet decided to watch on TV.
2. Transportation. Hasn’t it become a mythical problem now? One, that doesn’t have much to do with reality? Let’s bring up our own experience on this. Even when I leave the Lane as the last one, it hardly takes 40 minutes from the final whistle to get as far as Seven Sisters on foot. Let’s compare it with some away games and other stadiums. Your own experience? Wembley 40 minutes to get to the tube? West Ham 10 minute walk and 20 minutes queuing up to the tube? Chelsea 20 minutes in crowded streets? ManU 30 minutes queuing up to get to the train after game’s finished? Now, if we increase the capacity to 56k, transport would have to be improved. But that’s exactly what NDP assumes. That’s what the ambitious Chairman was so excited about, wasn’t he.
Crowded grounds and streets alike before and after a game. That’s the very essence of football. That how I’ve always seen it. Are there any streets in Stratford at all?
Bada Bing.
http://martincloake.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/support-for-questions-over-spurs-stadium-plans/
Diaz stop being a padantic wanker.
@ Spooky
Again a well written article by Mr Cloake with further clarity on his points... good stuff! But i wouldn't be expecting a response from Levy any time soon. As Mr Cloake stated there is the issue of "not showing your cards" and rightly or wrongly we will remain in the dark until at the very least a decision by OPLC has been made. There is unfortunately no point in Levy answering those questions if it doesn't help his immediate or long term cause, whatever they may be? "Being able to convince people your position has substance" rings very true however at this moment in time the only people he needs to convince are the members of the OPLC decision making committee, unfortunately as fans we are pretty low down on that pecking order of people who need to know... it's sad but true!
You might find that certain individuals such as Lord Coe, Sanderson, IOC etc will go a little quiet as they ultimately have no direct influence on the decision and what's more have no visibility of the actual bids so therefore cannot give an educated or viable opinion on the matters of legacy etc.
On that note, their comments are proving to be a little contradicting… it's been made clear by many parties in the Government, OPLC, IOC, THFC, even at the LB of Newham and Wet Spam (and Coe, thanks Hocks) that an Olympic legacy of a track on the OS is not a must have so therefore that argument is in effect null and void. They'd probably prefer it to be there but in the realms of reality, this concept is simply fraught with risk in the medium to long term. Yes the Porn Barons have stated they’d give personal guarantees, but where’s the guarantee that they’ll still be at the Spammers in 5 years time?
So, when the decision is made, shall we expect some answers then? Well maybe, even then any answers provided by Levy to the questions posed will be dictated by the decision that has been made by the OPLC. Honesty will be solely subjective and driven purely to benefit Levy and THFC in achieving their ultimate goal, whatever that goal will be at that specific time…
Full and complete transparency? It's a contradiction in terms.
Yidal, You seem to have just resoted to insults because Diaz has properly caught you out there. You're all about North London and staying in Tottenham but glad we lost the NLD to go out of the League Cup because we can focus more on the CL! Double standards?
Yidal, You seem to have just resoted to insults because Diaz has properly caught you out there. You're all about North London and staying in Tottenham but glad we lost the NLD to go out of the League Cup because we can focus more on the CL! Double standards?
Yidal, You seem to have just resoted to insults because Diaz has properly caught you out there. You're all about North London and staying in Tottenham but glad we lost the NLD to go out of the League Cup because we can focus more on the CL! Double standards?
Alright, calm down I get the message, no need to post that 'yawn' more than once (or were you shaking with rage diaz)
I disagree with your point 'Spoony' aka 'diaz' in disguise.
Properly caught me out, ok sure, well then this whole debate is over right, after all that hey! we may as well move to Stratford now.
How can I possibly see going out in the Carling cup as a blessing in disguise and not want to move to Stratford?! ha ha diaz your a joker.
My retort was timely and in good taste : )
Oh and just if you cant see the contradictory flip side of your comment then you are an idiot.
Ill tell you (as I dont think you will be scratching your head) - Why do you care about the NLD and losing to Arsenal so much when you prepared to forsake the whole meaning to the fixture by moving to East London??
Now dont get me wrong - I wouldnt even have pulled you up on that because it's being padantic and makes you sound like a wanker.
I agree with your point 'spoony' aka 'Diaz'. I disagree with just about everything you say 'yidal' aka 'Lammy'.
Spoony - thanks.
Yidal check with Spooky if you want IP addresses etc, and sorry to let you down but I'm not Spoony. Why would I be?
Not trying to catch anyone out, just saying as before we're all in this together, and it's not as black and white as we would all like.
The NLD is a huge game for me, don't always get to go, however forked out to take parents and children to that game as a present. CAT A game, and what did I get a reserve match.
But hey it's ok because despite spending on a huge squad we will use a load of players never to be seen again this season. NLD who cares?
But you're not alone, most people will agree we can sacrifice that particular competition for CL. Why wouldn't we?
Full house that night watched us get shafted at home by that lot, and the general reaction was probably like yours.
And with the the way we have progressed in the CL it was probably the right move, still pisses me off to think off them at Wembley rather than us.
Now put that into context what Levy is doing, looking at the bigger picture, the more profitable picture. Same thing, larger scale, longer term.
Sacrifice one thing for more glory. We're all guilty of that, you think if we win the CL I will be moaning about the £200quid+ spent on a reserve match, I won't give a shit!!
Loving the word pedantic eh yidal, recently learnt? Lol. What is the meaning of the fixture, just interested to hear your take on it!
loving the word LOL - are you really a 12 year old girl?
@diaz - there is no relation between thinking going out in the carling cup should somehow make Stratford an acceptable proposition.
You say everything is not black and white yet your remark to me was just that.
I was also at the game and was pissed off at the time. What was wrong was the board declaring it a Cat A game and also playing a 3rd rate team but im not still pissed off which is what I said. i dont think our squad could have coped with any more games for both league and CL when you think back to all of the injuries we had before christmas.
Anyway I feel like Im arguing with a couple of kids and therefore I apologise for my language. I should know better.
LOL chubb LOL....how we laughed eh!
http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=34103
Music to our ears : )
Seems like the stratscum amongst us dont give a hoot for 81% on Londoners who are against Tottenham moving to Stratford.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8284915/Olympic-Stadium-Parliament-and-public-backing-for-West-Ham.html
Boom - more music to our ears fellow Tottenham fans : )
50 MP's back West Ham.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarner/2011/01/ignore_the_london_taxpayer_at.html
PLY- I am not pro-move, by the club does belong to us, the fans, in so many ways. The existence of the club is made possible only by its fans. No fans, no club, it's just economic basics. And after the players, and the manager, and the owners and even the ground, move on, we the fans remain. Whatever your perspective on this important issue, let's not forget that we have a lot more power than you think
i meant "but the club"- cheers