Another strange day in downtown Doomsville.
While the shortcomings of White Hart Lane’s pitch size have suddenly been identified, Martin Cloake defended the THST in the Haringey Independent.
His argument that the Trust isn’t a waste of space, on the surface appears extremely rational. But as I read it, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a recent ‘Meet The Author’ type event I went to recently.
The speaker in question was Owen Jones who showed that questioning and challenging, together with varying levels of protesting was a proven method of producing justified social, economic and political change. He provided numerous examples from trades unions – to the Sufragette movement.
And it is here where Martin Cloake perhaps does supporters a disservice.
The problems at Tottenham Hotspur Football club bigger than the confines of White Hart Lane. We know this. That doesn’t give ENIC a free pass on a solitary issue. We’re only client reference numbers to them, not to ourselves.
The notion that challenging ENIC’s ownership would equate to, “lots of shouting and finger pointing rarely meets with success”, is to casually brand those unsatisfied with the Trust’s current activities as some deranged, angry mob who, if given access to the Centenary Suite for tea and biscuits would probably just smash the place up, before defecating on the carpet.
ENIC were certainly an improvement in our ownership hall of fame. But how long does one keep on patting a chairman on the back for something he did over a decade a go? No one is disputing the odd bit of good ENIC have done.
It’s their fundamental inability to recruit a manager and back him, and champion a real team being built that is the core issue.
There is an obvious need for a seed change at Spurs. For the Trust to “be continuing to forge links with the local communities in Tottenham to put the case for a sporting club and stadium that everyone can be proud of and benefit from”, is undoubtedly well meaning, but by Christ it doesn’t reflect reality.
For those doubting this, my I yet again draw your attention to the wholesale abandonment of ENIC’s initial plan to include affordable housing in the redevelopment of the stadium.
I urge supporters read the views of Haringey bloggers such as Martin Ball and Patricia Pearcy.
Martin says the Trust should be “asserting our independence where necessary.”
Ouch.
When ought it not be independent? When it looks as if dialogue with ENIC might make the owners feel a teensy bit uncomfortable?
I note the ghost of the suggested move to Stratford is yet held up as somthing that the Trust continue to be mildly outraged by. Yet a £200 cap on StubHub transactions was hailed as an advance, opposed to the risible piece of contempt that it is.
The there were the banning orders that were issued prior to charges that weren’t robust enough to result in prosecutions. Lost loyalty points, and of course, the surfing hanky fiasco.
Levy & Co. have some serious questions to answer. Given the blatant exploitation of fans, and contempt shown at every turn, those questions don’t need to be sugar coated. Note, this does not mean by default that these questions need to be put rudely.
This the devil you know line isn’t an intellectually satisfying one. It’s a mantra that encourages a fear of change and discourages free thinking.
A supporters’ movement ought to be first and foremost wholly transparent. By definition be seen by the football club’s owners as a bit of a nuisance. Not as aggressive, but certainly passionate and demanding.
ENIC apologists harp on about how well run the club is. Presumably these people believe not getting relegated or declaring bankruptcy are notable achievements. Presumably these people believe routinely selling our best players whilst continuously failing to buy its managers first choive transfer targets is quite forgivable.
Question everything. Don’t unthinkingly repeat phrases like “a new stadium would be good for Haringey”, or “Archway want £25m” when nobody is able to vaguley substantiate these ridiculous assertions.
I’m certain that Martin has the best interests of the club and fans at heart, but I remain completely unconvinced that the Trust in its current incarnation is ‘fit for purpose’, to use Trust speak.
