The Trust is campaigning the Club to reverse recent ticket price increases and senior concession changes as part of our #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign that started in 2023 following the announcement of the increase in general match tickets. The Club’s decisions and policies regarding ticketing have the most significant impact on our most loyal supporters. There is no better way to understand this than to hear from those supporters themselves.
Doug Bayley has been watching Spurs for decades and is approaching the Seniors category age group.
“I have had a season ticket every season since 1982. I am now in my early 60’s and it seems that my loyalty is being rewarded by never being able to buy a senior discounted season ticket again. Thank you so much Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”
“Anyone who follows me on X (Twitter) or knows me will know I love our Club. By Club, I mean our history, our players – from Martin Chivers, Steve Perryman, Glenn Hoddle to Harry Kane, Dele and Toby Alderweireld – and our managers. But the biggest constant is being part of the Spurs family. We don’t go to away games as individuals; we go as 3,000 Spurs fans. I love all Spurs fans. I fully understand and appreciate that we are no longer little Tottenham Hotspur from North London. We are Tottenham Hotspur from the Premier League. Spurs fans are everywhere in the world now. Being a Spurs fan makes them part of the Spurs worldwide family. Being a match-going football fan of any team forms a bond.”
“Since December, I have had a health issue that is now hopefully resolved. I struggled to walk more than 20 yards without having to stop for a minute because of the pain, but I didn’t miss a game because of this pain. I found a way of getting to and from the game. One game recently, I caught the bus from the pub to Sainsbury’s by the ground. Just one stop. There must have been a dozen Spurs fans doing similar. We were laughing as we exchanged health problems. Most had one hip replacement, some two and one man said he had three hip replacements. As we all walked and hobbled down Worcester Avenue, we all started saying how we hoped we would win. Some of us knew each other, some didn’t, but we were all part of the Spurs family. I have been hobbling to Northumberland Park train station after games and for the Manchester City FA Cup game I hobbled to the Stadium as usual. It was something I will never forget as I walked down Park Lane. It was like a Pilgrimage.”
“The Pilgrimage consisted of fans of all ages, the very young to the very old. As I had to stop possibly 10 times I noticed so much more than just walking as part of a crowd going in the same direction. Some of the fans were in good health but some were old and in poor health. I saw many old people with walking sticks and walking frames; I watched as these Spurs fans displayed determination to get to the game no matter what the physical or financial sacrifice. I looked on in admiration and thought to myself how remarkable these Spurs fans are. Some of them would have seen the 1961 double team; their heroes would have been Danny Blanchflower, John White and then Jimmy Greaves, etc. Some would have seen nearly all of Bill Nicholson’s seasons as a manager. They had seen the Glory of the Cups at White Hart Lane with their own eyes.”
“Why does age matter? Well, of course it shouldn’t. However, the Club stated that the number of senior season tickets has risen to four times the number at White Hart Lane. As a Spurs fan in my early 60’s, I really do think that this number should be celebrated. Isn’t it magnificent? All those very loyal Spurs fans who are over 65, still managing to get to the Stadium. All of those over 65s who quite possibly make financial and or health sacrifices to get to the game to support their Spurs team that they have probably supported for over 50 years. They have never stopped supporting Spurs despite our lack of a league titles. Of course, not all over 65s are struggling financially (or with health) and that was my point at the start. But, if you are a Spurs fan then you are part of the Spurs family – regardless of age, wealth, health or anything else. Next time you go to the game look at the Pilgrimage. All of us Spurs fans from match going fans to fans all over the world will always remember great Spurs players, great teams, great players and great managers. Hopefully the Club will reconsider their announcement regarding senior concessions for our Spurs family. COYS”
The Trust believes the Club is exploiting the loyalty of fans like Tony. We can only convince the Club to reverse its decision as a united fan base. If you’d like to contribute to this campaign, send us your reaction to the recent announcements via info@thstofficial.com
#StopExploitingLoyalty