Stratford's death still leaves us feeling White Hart Pain
Friday, June 24, 2011 at 5:55PM So the High Court has refused our application for permission to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company along with the Mayor of London and Government Ministers for the judicial review re: bid process for the OS.
What a guest list, would have been some party.
We await to see if Levy persists with this in the next few days (club can basically take an option to renew its application of complaint).
Vast majority (controversial?) of Spurs fans are probably more than happy to hear this news (happy and fed up) and hope the club, chairman and board of directors leave it in the past and move on with finding a true solution to the stadium issue. What's done is done. Right?
We've been told a few times by Levy that he can't reveal certain information due to the process at hand and from a business perspective, playing politics with local government can be a game of poker so he's hardly going to show us all of his cards. However, there has to be some transparency and based on the recent meeting between club and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust it still sounds like we're walking through mud.
The NDP remains an expensive proposition, one without public sector funding. Which seems to be the excuse given (someone can remind me but I'm sure there's a fallacy surrounding Arsenal and the money they got for their stadium - i.e. they didn't).
In comparison (Stratford and the NDP) purely from a fiscal perspective (is there another perspective?) the OS was made priority because it would not have cost as much as remaining in N17 and in the long term was a far more achievable financial outgoing compared to the debt that will have accumulated with the NDP.
Business sense and shareholder gleefulness - Stratford was the answer. The other perspective? History of a geographical nature and various emotive arguments regarding identity. For most it was too much to ask and to see the club uproot and move from North London to the East. Progression off the back of increased revenue would secure the club's history even if we left our spiritual home, some said. Others preferred to remain anchored to the past and use that as the driving force to push on, remaining in N17, with an increased capacity.
There are arguments, good arguments for and against. But the one question that looks down at all of the in-fighting asks: Was it ever truly plausible for us to move to East London?
We've been over this a million times, so I wont lose myself in another rant. I will share a couple of thoughts off the back of the latest club statement.
Was the NDP ever viable? The reason I ask is, considering the business acumen of our chairman and the fact that forecasting every conceivable scenario would have been discussed in terms of the potentiality of increasing costs - why present the NDP as a viable project in the first place? Perhaps this is naivety on my part. I can appreciate that the NDP 'on paper' worked until it drowned in various red tape and outgoings once it began it's stuttering journey.
The more Stratford hogged the limelight, the less feasible the NDP became.
Stratford first appeared as a backup plan, then became our first choice (but there were mentions of it long before the NDP - the suggestion being it was always the clubs first choice). All guns blazing we went. Even though there were FA Premier League issues (ignored in the case of Orient post-decision) relating to boundaries and territory. Even if us bidding for it was (amongst the people locally and back in Tottenham) a non-starter - to Levy and from what we are made to believe certain people involved in the OS stadium process of selection and the Mayor - it was very much a competitive bid. One that stood a chance.
On paper, miles and miles ahead of West Ham's and in long term financial gain, utterly no competition when comparing the two clubs. The voting appeared to suggest that Tottenham never stood a chance. Hence the complaints made by club.
The crux of it falls on Daniel Levy. Here's me banging on about Machiavellian strategy and playing people off each other for our own gains, and yet looking back our hard nosed negotiator wore his heart on his sleeve. He was pro-Tottenham the club, the brand...and pro-Stratford to aid with elevating us to the next level of financial clout and stability. The sacrifice (the emotive stuff) worth while.
Did he genuinely believe we had a chance? Or did he expect to be p*ssing in the wind, all part of the game plan? Was the NDP only ever presented to us to appease the masses? Or is it still the ideal solution but one that simply isn't probable any more due to the constraints placed upon it?
Wouldn't moving to a different part of North London (or wherever else) equally see us battling against rising costs and political chess? As noted in the dismissal of the Tottenham Hale site.
Can't argue against Levy not wanting the best for the club. But that transparency, that direction...it's hard to know what we are concentrating on if we continue with our OS complaints whilst walking into brick walls that need to be knocked down first.
Perhaps everything that has played out has not been to his surprise. Although I can't quite grasp how any of it acts as a leverage towards the the NDP. But then I'm not a chairman of a football club and managing director of an investment company.
From the meeting with the THST:
“The Club is very busy behind the scenes trying to make the NDP viable”
If the OS never existed, what would our contingency plan be if the NDP went from viable to not being viable? Because that's where we currently stand at the moment.
It was never do or die for Stratford. Yet I can't shake off that feeling that some believe it to be the case.
Reader Comments (18)
I am a bit fed up with people considering nostalgia and history as the only reasons to stay in North London. Why isn't FANBASE mentioned. Yes fans come from all over, but statically the area with the most season ticket holders is Enfield - i.e NORTH of the ground. a) It would be inconsiderate to make this major part of the fanbase to travel past the old ground, and past another team (Orient) to get to their own no-longer-local club. b) Whilst Haringey is hardly a wealthy borough, areas to the north are incredibly so, and Spurs benefit from a rich fanbase because there is no team to the north of us. Newham is an even more impoverished borough, and you do not want to risk losing that wealthy fan base. c) Much like West Ham not having any team to the East, Spurs have no team to the north - and benefit from this greatly. You can see from the increasing number of Arsenal and Chelsea shirts in North London, that Spurs not competing at the top has cost Spurs support. By moving away from there would see even more of an increase of Chelsea shirts in North London. There are people in Hertfordshire who support one of Spurs or Arsenal just because they are the nearest Premier League clubs. Move away from North london, and that makes their decesion a whole lot easier. d) by moving to East London, who are you hoping to support you? Are you hoping that Hammers fans will change to Spurs? Or maybe Orient fans? Are you hoping that people from Tottenham will continue to latch onto the team that bears their name? Even though the club is no where near? Are you hoping to get the East London kids to be split between Spurs and West Ham? What makes a team big is the support. Not specifically the size of the stadium - it is how many that WANT to go to your stadium. The Stratford idea was a big gamble. I am open minded so I will admit that it could have worked. But it equally could have bombed. It would be better to take the debt, and stay in the area that made you what you are, and cling on to the sure thing. I personally could not give a stuff about nostalgia. Liverpool fans have more history in their ground than ours, and yet will personally bulldoze Anfield if it meant they could get the new stadium. But for us, location is more important. Location, location, location
Why should any multi million pound (held offshore) business get Government funding?
Funding for the area as part of redevelopment, yes.
Funding for the ground..... I think not.
I think our chairman should should follow his wishes to the nth degree. That's his duty isn't it? I think spurs supporters should make their feelings clear to the chairman to the nth degree. As far as relocation to the OS is concerned, most supporters are not willing to demonstrate in person outside WHL.
Simon. It is called the NDP. Northumberland Development Project. It isn't just about Spurs having a new stadium, this is about THFC rebuilding Tottenham N17...and this is what Levy is trying to gain financial backing for.
I think the pro/con arguement is now dead, for good or bad it looks like the OS is not going to happen.
I really don't understand the comment by SpursSimon, smacks of the same level of uninformed that has hurt Spurs image throughout this process.
Many clubs (and businesses) get some level of government assistance/funding as in a lot of cases those businesses are the main form of income in the area. Please note West Ham is getting a 40M loan from local council.
Levy's ask as far as I understand it is not for the government to pay for the ground, but merely to pay for the stuff they should have done years ago, i.e. transport links, roads, etc. and not to ask the club to foot the bill for anything but the ground.
Tottenham's local council and anyone involved politcally in that area should take a long hard look at their options, should Spurs move from N17, the outlook for the area will be quite grim, should Spurs get a 60K stadium in there, it could be a lot better .... why won't they want to do everything to ensure the latter?
I think that Daniel Levy is a businessman first and a Tottenham Fan second. Although he wants the 60,000 crowds and Champions League Football, he thought he could get it quickly with the OS and propel the status of the club, along with it's value, up 10 notches to the fans benefit , but most importantly, to his own financial gain. He would even have been the hero had he pulled it off and again, most importantly he would become a very rich man 'overnight' when he sold it to some 'egotistical billionaire maniac'. He would, of course be able to sell the N17 property when the market permits, for shopping, industry and housing. I still think he's a big, big Tottenham Fan and wouldn't hurt the club, but I think he would agree that the financial benefit , had the OS materialised, would be his priority.
I think he will sell his shares soon, as I think he and Joe Lewis, will probably see this obstacle as the last straw.
For now Im not going to give a shit and just enjoy WHL until something else crops up. Loving Sandro's comments today, that boy is going to be a proper player for us next season.
COYS
Jaysus, Snoops, I godda go schleep on dis won. You are a t'rrible man, so y'are, s y'are.
BUT LOOK OUT 4 A SPANKIN SIPRIE A'SIR TOMOGGA, WHEN MI BRAIN RUTERNS!
its another good read mate on a story that is tiring us fans! it is exactly as you say it is basically it was never going to happen, we were chancing our hand at a freebie, that by rights belongs to the spammers! (sorry if that offends some of you, but then again wake up) we should have moved years ago, we have spent 10-15 years sidestepping and not improving as a club at any fast rate, slowly but surely getting arguably better as a team but no real push to be anything big.
we qualified for champions league and had a good run to be honest, it was dream stuff, i loved every min of it. but in all honesty while we are still in this stadium and spending the wages we are and side stepping in the transfer market with players like pinaar, we over achieved last season! but bloody hell i loved it!
that by rights belongs to the spammers! (sorry if that offends some of you, but then again wake up)
That does offend me, The stadium was paid for using our tax money, I want the BEST return on it. Not a gift to a club I cant stand. Anyways, your spot on Spooky, this story is now very tiresome. Forever 37K
'The judge who rejected Tottenham's legal attempts to block West Ham's move to the London Olympic Stadium has warned them against a "knee-jerk" appeal against his decision.'
Must've heard about the fans.
Thanks for helping to pay for our free stadium chaps. levy is a typical jewish man wanting a freebie but we have it. Yep we are in the fizzy pop crap league but we will be back and smashing up your pubs before you can say Oy vey my boy
The OS option was a Levy dream based on financial gain and was doomed from the outset and the pursuit of this whim has already cost the club countless millions. We can view this as money thrown down the drain. The NDP project is still the most feasible. Alright, the are still many issues to be resolved but these are not unsurmountable. Levy must re-focus and seek ways around the obstacles. Unbending intent and 100% commitment is necessary. Get that stadium built. It is ridiculous that a club like Spurs can only house 36,000. There are tens of thousands of us that just don't get a look in because of this situation. If it's going to be a drawn out process is it not possible as an interim measure to add extra space to the existing set up by adding a few upper tiers? I'm fed up will all this procrastination. Just get the job done Levy!!
Id start worrying about our transfer plans, 31 and 32 yr olds is not where we wanto be. Add a 40 year old keeper!!! Why is there such a reluctance to spend on a world class striker for Gods sake- why of why!!.
I rate O'Hara higher than Parker and Forlan, well its clear, nobody wants him at 32 yrs old and he is cheap!!!
We simply do not get it do we, and then we moan about our top players wanting to leave. You know, i dont blame tham, we are too slow and simply not willing to spend.
We are asking for trouble and when it really comes, we should not be surprised. Too much dithering on all fronts im afraid. All other top teams are well into the rebuild / buy mode, we, im afraid are doing what we do best, wait, wait, wait and then get screwed!!
Im telling you, if we get away without losing anybody this season, we should count ourselves very very lucky. BUT i can assure you, this season is the LAST CHANCE we have. If we do not make the top 4, we can forget about it for the next 5 years at least!!
What gets me is that Levy does not seem to get this!! Its not rocket science!!
Sick of it all really!!
i'm not bright enough to understand finance etc.....but how can we moan about buying old /non world class players when our match revenue is dwarfed by arsenal/man u/chelsea......as much as we critisize levy for his 1 minute to midnight tactics....we all know by in large he does his best for the club (wanna be run by gold/sullivan esque people?????)....so lets just see how this plays out...enjoy the past couple of seasons adventures...enjoy the nice football we play (when not crouching it) and lets have another go this year in harrys last pre-england year....who knows it could be fun.....cheer up all modric is still in white and chirpy will surely peg it this year if spooks get his way....
Nice to see irons representing his club in a friendly stereotypyical manner. Don't be under any illusions about where pinky perky and the wicked witch are taking your club.
Levy is a businessman first. The OS was an opportunity no doubt. Let's move on now, the question remains though. Move on to where?
On the pitch and off it we are facing some serious questions. Not sure if everybody will like the answers.
A bit non sequitor, but fuck Dos Santos was tearing it up in the Gold Cup. Fantastic goal in the final. I wish he was given a chance/gave it a chance. He could be something.
Ha! Big Sky, I thought perhaps you would have beaten me to the punch and you did. Yes. Gio was astounding tonight!!! That goal was spectacular. Please please please, let's give this guy a try.