Referendum promised
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 11:55AM Currently waiting for 'We are N17' to release their statement after their meeting with Daniel Levy. What we do know is that Mr Chairman has promised the fans (members? season ticket holders? dead people living in Florida?) a referendum meaning that if we 'win' the OS bid he'll ask for our vote prior to releasing the non-refundable £20M bond to seal the deal.
It's a fairly common acknowledgement that most supporters don't care either way (this isn't a dig at those who want to move and are vocal about it - I'm talking about the ones who would accept a move to probably anywhere and don't get involved in the debate). Fact is, there are thousands out there that don't bother with membership but would like tickets and know that Stratford would give them that, and asking why remaining in North London won't, is just fluff getting in the way of their seat.
Who get's to vote and how much weight people place on it's importance will...well, let's see if we get there first.
It's diplomatic PR by Levy. It's what we've asked for so nobody should complain. But everyone knows how the vote will go. Which begs the question why we bothered in the first place. It's nothing more than an olive branch which will perhaps weaken those that are currently pro-N17 and smooth the way to acceptance.
I'd once more point towards the NDP no longer being viable and the reasons behind it, along with the required transparency in relation to 'it's Stratford or we look to move outside of N17' (dearly like to know how much time, effort and cost would go into moving outside of N17 in comparison to remaining there) - but I'll no doubt get shot down by one or two who will tell me that Levy knows what he's doing and I shouldn't fret about the details what with me being a commoner and him being the dark overlord of Death Star investment company ENIC.
Cue Imperial March music.
Onwards, again.
'The questions Daniel Levy still needs to answer'. Read Martin Cloake's new article here.
Reader Comments (60)
Without getting into where the new stadium should be, could someone explain the "if we move we lose our history" idea?
History is defined as a record of events. How would a club lose it's history by moving into a new stadium? Will all records be destroyed? Will people just all at once forget about anything that happend pre-move?
I haven't posted explicitly on this subject before. I am a card carrying overseas member of the supporters club and I pay an extra 10 pounds for the privilege. Since my travel to matches involves an overseas flight then tube from Fulham hotel, 'easier match day travel' for Stratford or being able to get a season ticket aren't factors for me.
What does mean a great deal to me is Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, which currently is not a franchise nor just a brand name, but much much more. The prospect of leaving our spiritual home and especially the reason for the move sicken me. Literally, my stomach churns whenever I think about it seriously. Because if we do move to Stratford, then THFC of HFC or London Spurs or whatever will be a franchise and a brand name and, a business dedicated first, foremost and solely to making money for its owners, the investment company ENIC, until such time as they sell it at a huge profit, because that's what investment companies do.
I cannot see putting the kind of time, energy and emotion that I currently do for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club into a business. I've been a Mac user for 30+ years and will confess to having warm fuzzies for Apple. Even though I think the young Steve Jobs would have identified with "It's about doing things with style and a flourish...going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom," my 'relationship' with Apple is nothing compared to what I now feel for Spurs. But if we move to stratford, then continuing to support the team based there becomes brand loyalty rather than the quasi-religious connection I have with the club now. Club--something you belong to versus a business you buy an entertainment product from.
That, in my view, is what we'll be losing, the belonging to something bigger than all of us, fans, owners, players, management alike. No one is bigger than the club. I wouldn't feel that for Franchise Spurs.
It's simple. Levy has spent the club's money on planning permission and a lovely virtual model of the new White hart Lane stadium.Next thing it's no longer viable with no explanation given nor any consultation.The Olympic Stadium opportunity comes along where Tottenham will be able to relocate sooner and pay less than what it would cost not just ENIC but previous owners who have failed to invest in Tottenham over the years. We know the area is run down but our club is based in the area end of. Why give money to Newham when residents not just in Haringey but other surrounding local authorities will suffer just so that Levy can line the pockets of ENIC. Even Islington Council is backing Spurs to remain in North London. Future generations of Spurs fans will never forgive us if the club moves to an even shittier area. We are Tottenham from Stratford no thanks.
Do people still believe that this is all just an elaborate bluff from Levy?
There can no longer be any fence sitting on this issue; you either want to move to east London and support Levy, or you want Levy out now.
He is pulling the club out from under your noses. If we don't get the bid, Levy will forever be remembered as the bloke who tried to shut down THFC and start a fake Tottenham in Stratford. He has to go.
And to the berk that was banging on about capitalism, go and support McDonald's.
This is so clearly an opportunist move on behalf of ENIC and AEG, I'm surprised so many good Tottenham fans have fallen for it.
WAKE UP! - Our club is being sold down the river to make investment bankers much more more than staying in stinky old Tottenham. The difference is, is that if we stay in Tottenham, there will still be a proper football club, move to Stratford, and it's gone forever.
Its a valid point about the NDP not that long ago it was the only option and Levy and the club and everyone else were pushing it for all it was worth, Then the costs spiraled English fucking Heritage stuff all to do with football wanting some run down "properties of historical interest" that nobody including English Heritage gave a rats ass for, for over 30 years and next thing costs are spiraling and suddenly terms like no longer viable are bandied about. We have not been given adequate reasons why NDP is no longer viable and simply saying Levy says so aint a viable bloody reason. Now Haringey council who were happy to sit fat and fucking happy whilst THFC tried to get the whole project off the ground meanwhile those fuckwits like Lammy are only interested in what they can screw out of the club NOW he's bloody vocal. But whats the most annoying thing of all, is that in this our most important season in living memory, where we have been trying to be for 20 years or more and whats the biggest pisser of all to me is that now we are here fighting the fight at long last, we are going to be so fucking Tottenham and with all this in fighting we are going to screw it up ourselves with no help from anyone else. Its just sooo tottenham and those tw@s across the way are laughing there stupid heads off at us. Bollox
Sorry if that made little sense I am pissed! and pissed off!
ZEIGEMONSTER ...has managed to put into words what a lot of us feel
As a kid my grandad first took me to "The Lane" in 1959 so although those memories are slightly faded I can remember the "Golden Years" however most of my life has been spent as "One of the Faithful" yes one of the dreamers, the nearly rans, the we will make it next year boys,
Now as a result of RELOCATION I am as someone has aptly put it ..An armchair Fanatic.
I will still get up at 0300hrs to watch a game live, still feel the blood surging when we play "THE TOTTENHAM WAY" still get a hard on when we cruise to a win, still kick the cat when we blow 3 vital points.
OKAY what the F@#ck am I trying to say ?
Like all true fans I dream of more "glory days" BUT
Win Lose or Draw
Champions League, Top 4, or Premier League mid table obscurity
I will always consider myself as a TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUPPORTER
So yes I would love to see the club reach the dizzy heights year after year but not at the expense of selling my soul to the devil
LONG LIVE THFC
"So yes I would love to see the club reach the dizzy heights year after year but not at the expense of selling my soul to the devil".
Who's fucking devil?
Levy has urged us fans to look at the situation logicly and for us not to cloud our judgement with emotion...
....I'm sorry Dan but, Spurs for me, is pure emotion.
Read the forums, see how fans are turning on each other, work out how much money a working class man spends on tickets, shirts and other merchandise compred to his income and tell me this isn't all based on emotion. Passion and emotion, it suits you when we pay our money and rock the Lane but not when you want to take our club away and we might have somthing to say about it.