The Trust’s new season statement
A new season, especially on the back of winning the Europa League, should be a time of excitement and optimism amongst the fanbase. Thomas Frank and his team are now firmly putting their mark on the footballing strategy, squad structure, how they play, and the relationship with the fanbase.
While much of the initial post Europa League euphoria has evaporated, there have been positives to enjoy, such as some very promising performances against PSG, Burnley and Manchester City, the signing of Palhinha and Kudus, and most recently Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani. However, the disappointing defeat at home to Bournemouth, the departure of Sonny to LA, mounting long-term injuries to our attack, and a feeling that the squad still lacks some quality in depth have brought us back down to Earth.
Add to that the Club’s decision to restrict season ticket holders’ ability to share their tickets, meaning that anyone who wants a ticket will have to be a One Hotspur member (and pay £45/60 for adults for the privilege) and, understandably, our inbox shows the same old questions are being raised: the squad needs more quality and depth. Are the Club backing Thomas Frank sufficiently? And why are supporters being taken for granted? Again.
The window has just closed, and that’s the perception of most of the supporters contacting us, and as Spurs fans, it’s a feeling many of us share.
Earlier this year, the Trust’s Five Key Principles for Owners were agreed with the Club: initially with Donna Marie Cullen and later with new CEO Vinai Venkatesham. We have surveyed our members twice, as well as the wider fanbase, and the scores are unacceptably low. You can read more here.
We’ve presented the outcomes to the Club directors and given our view on what needs to change. With that in mind, we issued a New Season Statement, which can be read in full here, detailing the key areas we will be working on with the Club this season – or at least those we know about at this stage!
Last season, we were successful in achieving a season ticket and match day price freeze for the coming season, reinstating the Gold Cup Scheme, moving the time of the victory parade, improving the stadium screening experience for the Final, and helping to achieve a partial improvement on the offer to senior season ticket holders. We now look to this season to:
- remove or ameliorate the restriction on season ticket holders to only be able to share with One Hotspur Members;
- Closely monitor the arrangements for increasing the availability of senior concession season tickets. Our policy remains that the club should increase the number of senior concessions season tickets so that all who qualify can receive one.
- Ensure the away ticket allocation is used by the named person. The loyalty point system only works if it is adequately enforced. We support increased spot checks and random use of in-person collection.
- introduce rolling QR codes and other measures to clamp down on away fans sitting in home areas at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium;
- restore concessions for young adults and seniors for all cup games;
- preserve the number and rights of season ticket holders;
- enable children, young adults and seniors to buy concession tickets on Ticket Exchange;
- continue to develop ways for all fans to feel appreciated, with an increased sense of togetherness;
- honour the legends of the Club, on whose shoulders the current team and custodians stand. Statues matter to fans, as do murals, and we will press for more to be done in these areas. A club museum must be a priority: if there is room for a new hotel, if there is room for a go-karting track, there is room for a museum.
- ensure that Access Scheme members are not disadvantaged. Working in partnership with Spurs Ability, we will press the club to ensure that ticketing platforms are accessible to all supporters.
And finally, we will continue to work with the dedicated staff at Spurs who respond so positively to the case work we bring to them, and this will, of course, continue during the season ahead. This will include individual ticketing issues, accessibility concerns, community initiatives, support with bereavement, European away fixtures, sanctions issues, and so much more.
We will maintain our continued input as a critical friend to ensure that fans are at the heart of all decisions made. Because, as we all know, football, without fans, is nothing. Please read the full report here.
Meet the Podcasters – Last Call for Tickets!
We’re now just over a week away from our ‘Meet The Spurs Podcasters’ event on Wednesday, 10 September. The response has been incredible, and with only a few tickets remaining, secure your spot now to avoid disappointment!
This is not only a fantastic opportunity to hear from some of the most influential voices in Spurs fan media, but it’s also a chance to support a truly worthy cause. We are proud to announce that the event will be supporting the Legend on the Bench charity.
Founded by Michelle Hazard, sister of Micky, after the tragic loss of her son, Jay, the charity’s mission is to combat suicide and promote mental health awareness. They do this by installing wooden benches in public spaces, which serve as visible support points for those in need.
We look forward to seeing you there for what promises to be an insightful and memorable night. Book your tickets here!
UEFA Champions League Ticket Pricing
Ahead of last Friday’s draw, the Club engaged with the Trust on categorisation of UCL matches, and therefore pricing levels for the league phase of this season’s UCL home matches. While recognising that the UCL is a step up from the Europa League, the Trust argued that the success of pricing levels in filling the stadium in the UEL last season should be recognised, particularly given the experience in the UCL group phase in 2022-23 when pricing in line with EPL categorisation contributed to the stadium not being completely full for those matches.
Of course, this discussion is somewhat dependent on the actual fixtures. When the draw was held, we argued that a BCCC level of categorisation was appropriate in light of the 2022-23 experience. We are therefore disappointed that the Club has chosen ABCC categorisation. This risks empty seats and fans missing out who would otherwise have attended. We will closely monitor the results and use them to inform further negotiations on pricing levels in the knock-out stages, should we progress.
Ticket Share
Our postbag continues to be busy with fans writing to us about the impact of the Club’s changes to Ticket Share, whereby season ticket holders unable to attend a match may now only share their tickets with members, rather than anyone with a CRN, as previously.
The Trust’s position is that the previous arrangement allowed groups of fans that couldn’t afford an ST each to share amongst themselves and also provided a facility for building a new generation of fans by easily introducing young (or not so young) family members to the magic of attending a first team match at THS. Such fans may also, of course, in time become new members or season ticket holders.
The Club argues that the change is intended to improve the offering to members and to act against touting (as CRNs are freely available). While we agree with those aims, we are not convinced that the change will achieve its objectives and create more harm than good. We consider that the old scheme should be reinstated. Still, in an attempt to balance competing objectives, we have suggested, in collaboration with the FAB, some alternatives that might mitigate some of the negatives from the change.
We will meet with the Club again, in a joint meeting with FAB representatives, to discuss these proposals and will report back via our usual channels on progress.
West Ham v Spurs
THST Board members, along with West Ham counterparts, staff from both Clubs and the Metropolitan Police held a call to discuss supporter experience, safety and communications ahead of our fixture against West Ham at London Stadium on 13th September. The Club has confirmed it will be providing all information to supporters in its usual pre-match communications to ticket holders, so look out for that and read carefully if you’re attending the game.
The Trust has provided both Clubs with its feedback and input and will share and reinforce key messages for fans following the Club’s communications in the days leading up to the game.
FSE and extra-territorial matches
Plans for La Liga and Serie A matches to be played in the United States and Australia, respectively, have provoked strong opposition from supporters’ groups, with our friends from Football Supporters Europe issuing this statement.
Several years ago, English supporter groups, including the Trust, united to defeat the infamous ‘39th game’ proposal, which would have destroyed the integrity of the EPL by staging additional games in the US. Although the current proposal affects Spain and Italy, it will set a dangerous precedent for all European leagues. We stand with opposing fan groups in those countries and are proud to back the FSE in rejecting a proposal that will undermine the crucial ideal of football clubs in this, and other, European countries being rooted in and representative of their communities.
Let’s change the rules on prostate cancer
The Trust has a long-standing relationship with Prostate Cancer UK, supporting the charity through various fundraising initiatives in memory of former THST Board members Kevin Fitzgerald and Pete Haine.
Right now, outdated NHS guidelines stop GPs from talking to men about their prostate cancer risk and the PSA blood test—unless symptoms have already developed. For too many, that means the chance of a lifesaving early diagnosis is missed.
A national screening programme would help fix this by inviting men for regular tests. But men can’t afford to wait. That’s why we’re supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s call on the Government to fund an early detection programme which would give GPs the power to start these vital conversations and make diagnosis faster and fairer.
Prostate Cancer UK say – ‘Momentum is building: 66% of MPs already support this change. But we need your voice to help push it over the line.’
👉You can support this call by signing the petition here —and help create a future where fewer men are diagnosed too late for a cure.
New book – When The Final Whistle Blows. Glory, Grief and Tottenham Hotspur by Andrew Pettifer
We are pleased to introduce a book that is likely to be of interest to all Spurs fans. It’s written by Trust member Andrew Pettifer, a British/Australia author who follows the team from the other side of the world, along with so many other Australian fans.
It follows our 2024/25 campaign under Ange Postecoglou, but ultimately becomes a tribute to fellow fanatic and friend, Cameron Whyte, former leader of the Australian THFC supporters club, OzSpurs in Sydney. It captures moments of shared heartbreak and humour: the madness of midnight matches watched in pubs, hotels and cruise ships around the world and embodies the stubborn hope that unites Spurs supporters across the globe.
Yet, as Andrew’s year of travel unfolds alongside a season of remarkable highs and lows – fierce battles on the pitch, moments of thrilling promise but frequent setbacks – something far more profound begins to emerge. The final chapter in the life of Cameron ‘the Commander’ Whyte, a warrior in his fight against cancer.
While Spurs chase glory, Cameron inspires those around him by facing his final days – and his decision to pursue voluntary assisted dying – with the same fortitude he brought to every match. And when Spurs finally lift the Europa League trophy – just four days before Cameron’s passing – a story of glory, grief, friendship and incredible grace is complete.
Exploring the depths of loyalty and friendship, the power of community, and the pain of letting go, When the Final Whistle Blows is for every sports fan who believes in hope, and for our Commander, who showed us how to live – and how to leave – with dignity.
We found the book to be an extraordinary glimpse into life as a Spurs fan in Australia and the Oz Spurs community. So many emotions and reactions will resonate for everyone, but the personal touches, the relationships and memories shared, and the way supporting the Spurs can build such life-long bonds, are what will stay with us.
All proceeds from book sales are being donated in Cameron’s honour to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse to support their work in Cancer Research. Books can be ordered via Andrew’s website here. Instagram X
