- Oct 10, 2014
- 1,366
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just been published
Martin Cloake, Co-chair
Katrina Law, Co-chair
Keith Sharp, Secretary
Adam Bailey, Treasurer
Rachel Martin
Martin Buhagiar
Michael Green
THFC:
Daniel Levy, Chairman
Donna Cullen, Executive Director
Sue Tilling, Safety Officer
Ian Murphy, Head of Ticketing & Membership
Jonathan Waite, Head of Supporter Services
Beth Demery, Ticket Office Manager
1. Recap on action points from February meeting
MC opened up by acknowledging the ongoing discussions with IM, JW and ST around specific issues of ticketing and safety, which helped provide the detail ahead of these set piece, executive meetings. MC then began by recapping on action points from the last formal session in February:
DC/JW/IM to review the comments made about the Founder Member Scheme in the survey responses with KL/MC and discuss that initiative further
DC confirmed that no firm decisions had been taken at this stage and reiterated the support for the scheme in earlier fan surveys. MC again registered THST’s dissatisfaction with the scheme. It was agreed to discuss further outside of the meeting
JW to arrange for a breakdown of how the Away Supporters’ Initiative is spent each season to be posted on the Spurs official website
KL confirmed this had been discussed with JW and a full breakdown of monies spent wasn’t possible owing to commercial sensitivities with Thomas Cook. However, as much detail as possible over the past 3 seasons would be provided. KL asked whether the introduction of the £30 away ticket price cap meant an end to subsidised travel. DC confirmed that the Club would continue to assist for matches without any alternative public transport options. KL expressed concern over the loss of the subsidised coaches, which had proved popular amongst a certain demographic. DC asked JW to report back with take up figures and costs for last season. DC, JW and KL to discuss further
THST to confirm their representative at May’s Haringey SAG session and ST to arrange a separate meeting to discuss SAG training with MC
MC confirmed he would be the THST representative at the SAG on 9 June. ST suggested arranging training post session so as to better identify needs
KL to email NLD policing and stewarding fan feed back to JW and ST
KL confirmed this had been completed
JW to arrange a further meeting with current caterers to discuss match day catering
RM asked for an update on the catering situation at WHL. JW confirmed that last season’s caterers were no longer the stadium caterers and a new partner would be announced shortly. JW offered a meeting with the Stadium Catering Director once the new contractors were in place to discuss outstanding complaints from the prior caterer’s time at the Club with the aim of avoiding the same problems. RM asked for clarification on the new contractor’s policy on Waste Food and Recycling, acknowledging sustainability and green concerns. JW to report back once new team in place
THST to confirm representative for Stadium Construction Liaison Group
MB confirmed as the rep. MB attended the first meeting of the committee on 17 May and found the session informative and productive. The group is to meet monthly with the next session scheduled for 14 June
2. Final season at White Hart Lane
North-east corner works
IM reported that the planned works meant stadium capacity would be reduced by 4,000. Of these, 1800 were season ticket (ST) holders. All had been written to (by physical post), as soon as the need to close the NE corner was confirmed, to be informed where their 16/17 seat would be. These are mainly in the South Stand. 12 complaints maximum have been received. Over the summer, further accommodation requests (e.g. re-locate to a different seat) would be considered, but no promises could be made owing to lack of physical options
KL asked for a breakdown of the lost seats, totalling 4000. JW confirmed those lost were a combination of General Admission (GA), Executive boxes, player/ family allocation, academy allocation, a lounge and 6 x disabled places (latter relocated)
MB asked why the communication of the NE closure had been left so late. IM reassured fans had been informed as soon as the decision to begin work on the NE corner had been confirmed. Boundaries had been pushed in terms of timescales
Champions League (UCL) matches
DC advised the location of home UCL matches will be announced shortly. Should the NE corner need to come down, that had implications in terms of UEFA requirements. Any potential move for European matches would not just be due to the reduced capacity issue at White Hart Lane. It would also be a decision based on media and access requirements. It would be because of delivery issues inside and outside of the ground. The fact that not every existing ST holder would be able to get a seat was also a key issue
KL and MG stressed that while there is an emotional wish among supporters for UCL matches to be played at WHL, THST’s key point is that as many fans as possible should be able to attend UCL games. Also, THFC should explain clearly why WHL is not viable for UCL; otherwise, many would assume the move was being made financial reasons. DL stated there will be absolutely no financial advantage in moving away from WHL given the alternative venue costs
KL asked that, once the UCL location is confirmed, ticketing policy and pricing and seat allocations be given careful consideration. DL said he is very conscious of the costs of going to UCL games
Ticketing 16/17
A briefing meeting between IM/JW and KL/MC had been held on 23/5; and an announcement on 16/17 ticketing is due very soon
KL restated the THST position that loyalty points should be factored in to how tickets will be allocated to Premiership Category A games and the final home game of the season
IM confirmed that the Club would include these views in the planning for the ticketing strategy for 2016/17 and full details will be confirmed shortly
IM confirmed that in light of the likely reduced allocation, pro-rata reductions would be implemented for Overseas Supporters Clubs, partner and staff seats
Bronze member benefits/cost
THST proposed reducing Bronze membership costs from £47 to £42, if benefits (multi-game packs, 24 hour advance ticket booking) are to be reduced. JW explained that £5 of the Bronze cost was for a place on the ST waiting list. It was agreed to revisit the Bronze proposition and discuss further outside of the meeting
Stub Hub
MC raised the implications of StubHub next season. While THST acknowledged the modifications already in place on the platform such as the £150 price cap (the only cap globally across their portfolio), there were concerns that any home match allocated by Loyalty Points could be bypassed by those fans willing and able to pay up to £150 on the platform. IM confirmed a meeting with Stubhub at the start of June and agreed to explore the possibility of installing further filters on the platform
MC asked for reassurance that the deal would not be renewed with StubHub next May, stating THST’s opposition to the secondary ticketing market and preference for an ethical, face value exchange. DL commented that all options remained open at this stage.
Final season farewell plans
RM asked about the plans to mark the last season at WHL. DC was open to all suggestions, especially from fans and it was thought THST may be used as the conduit to collate these ideas. The Club was in the process of establishing a regular group to handle this
RM asked whether the last match at WHL would be a league match or a specially arranged game. DC explained the build programme made It difficult to host another match at the end of the Premier League calendar, so it would likely be a league game
KL asked whether the Club would ask for dispensation to play a block of Premier League matches away from WHL at the start and end of the forthcoming campaign. DL confirmed this had been requested – not a block, but two matches at the end of the campaign – and this was being considered by the PL
It was confirmed that fans would be able to purchase their seats once the final game had been played at White Hart Lane
Transport
KS asked for an update on match day transport for next season. JW confirmed that the service offered by LOROL had improved since taking over the line last summer. LOROL are upgrading signalling on the Enfield Town/ Cheshunt line, which should enable a more regular service. New trains would be ready for 2017/18, also. JW reported that the Northumberland Park line, run by Abellio, had engineering works scheduled for next season but as THFC was now out of the Thursday/ Sunday cycle, Sunday works should be less of a problem
Martin Cloake, Co-chair
Katrina Law, Co-chair
Keith Sharp, Secretary
Adam Bailey, Treasurer
Rachel Martin
Martin Buhagiar
Michael Green
THFC:
Daniel Levy, Chairman
Donna Cullen, Executive Director
Sue Tilling, Safety Officer
Ian Murphy, Head of Ticketing & Membership
Jonathan Waite, Head of Supporter Services
Beth Demery, Ticket Office Manager
1. Recap on action points from February meeting
MC opened up by acknowledging the ongoing discussions with IM, JW and ST around specific issues of ticketing and safety, which helped provide the detail ahead of these set piece, executive meetings. MC then began by recapping on action points from the last formal session in February:
DC/JW/IM to review the comments made about the Founder Member Scheme in the survey responses with KL/MC and discuss that initiative further
DC confirmed that no firm decisions had been taken at this stage and reiterated the support for the scheme in earlier fan surveys. MC again registered THST’s dissatisfaction with the scheme. It was agreed to discuss further outside of the meeting
JW to arrange for a breakdown of how the Away Supporters’ Initiative is spent each season to be posted on the Spurs official website
KL confirmed this had been discussed with JW and a full breakdown of monies spent wasn’t possible owing to commercial sensitivities with Thomas Cook. However, as much detail as possible over the past 3 seasons would be provided. KL asked whether the introduction of the £30 away ticket price cap meant an end to subsidised travel. DC confirmed that the Club would continue to assist for matches without any alternative public transport options. KL expressed concern over the loss of the subsidised coaches, which had proved popular amongst a certain demographic. DC asked JW to report back with take up figures and costs for last season. DC, JW and KL to discuss further
THST to confirm their representative at May’s Haringey SAG session and ST to arrange a separate meeting to discuss SAG training with MC
MC confirmed he would be the THST representative at the SAG on 9 June. ST suggested arranging training post session so as to better identify needs
KL to email NLD policing and stewarding fan feed back to JW and ST
KL confirmed this had been completed
JW to arrange a further meeting with current caterers to discuss match day catering
RM asked for an update on the catering situation at WHL. JW confirmed that last season’s caterers were no longer the stadium caterers and a new partner would be announced shortly. JW offered a meeting with the Stadium Catering Director once the new contractors were in place to discuss outstanding complaints from the prior caterer’s time at the Club with the aim of avoiding the same problems. RM asked for clarification on the new contractor’s policy on Waste Food and Recycling, acknowledging sustainability and green concerns. JW to report back once new team in place
THST to confirm representative for Stadium Construction Liaison Group
MB confirmed as the rep. MB attended the first meeting of the committee on 17 May and found the session informative and productive. The group is to meet monthly with the next session scheduled for 14 June
2. Final season at White Hart Lane
North-east corner works
IM reported that the planned works meant stadium capacity would be reduced by 4,000. Of these, 1800 were season ticket (ST) holders. All had been written to (by physical post), as soon as the need to close the NE corner was confirmed, to be informed where their 16/17 seat would be. These are mainly in the South Stand. 12 complaints maximum have been received. Over the summer, further accommodation requests (e.g. re-locate to a different seat) would be considered, but no promises could be made owing to lack of physical options
KL asked for a breakdown of the lost seats, totalling 4000. JW confirmed those lost were a combination of General Admission (GA), Executive boxes, player/ family allocation, academy allocation, a lounge and 6 x disabled places (latter relocated)
MB asked why the communication of the NE closure had been left so late. IM reassured fans had been informed as soon as the decision to begin work on the NE corner had been confirmed. Boundaries had been pushed in terms of timescales
Champions League (UCL) matches
DC advised the location of home UCL matches will be announced shortly. Should the NE corner need to come down, that had implications in terms of UEFA requirements. Any potential move for European matches would not just be due to the reduced capacity issue at White Hart Lane. It would also be a decision based on media and access requirements. It would be because of delivery issues inside and outside of the ground. The fact that not every existing ST holder would be able to get a seat was also a key issue
KL and MG stressed that while there is an emotional wish among supporters for UCL matches to be played at WHL, THST’s key point is that as many fans as possible should be able to attend UCL games. Also, THFC should explain clearly why WHL is not viable for UCL; otherwise, many would assume the move was being made financial reasons. DL stated there will be absolutely no financial advantage in moving away from WHL given the alternative venue costs
KL asked that, once the UCL location is confirmed, ticketing policy and pricing and seat allocations be given careful consideration. DL said he is very conscious of the costs of going to UCL games
Ticketing 16/17
A briefing meeting between IM/JW and KL/MC had been held on 23/5; and an announcement on 16/17 ticketing is due very soon
KL restated the THST position that loyalty points should be factored in to how tickets will be allocated to Premiership Category A games and the final home game of the season
IM confirmed that the Club would include these views in the planning for the ticketing strategy for 2016/17 and full details will be confirmed shortly
IM confirmed that in light of the likely reduced allocation, pro-rata reductions would be implemented for Overseas Supporters Clubs, partner and staff seats
Bronze member benefits/cost
THST proposed reducing Bronze membership costs from £47 to £42, if benefits (multi-game packs, 24 hour advance ticket booking) are to be reduced. JW explained that £5 of the Bronze cost was for a place on the ST waiting list. It was agreed to revisit the Bronze proposition and discuss further outside of the meeting
Stub Hub
MC raised the implications of StubHub next season. While THST acknowledged the modifications already in place on the platform such as the £150 price cap (the only cap globally across their portfolio), there were concerns that any home match allocated by Loyalty Points could be bypassed by those fans willing and able to pay up to £150 on the platform. IM confirmed a meeting with Stubhub at the start of June and agreed to explore the possibility of installing further filters on the platform
MC asked for reassurance that the deal would not be renewed with StubHub next May, stating THST’s opposition to the secondary ticketing market and preference for an ethical, face value exchange. DL commented that all options remained open at this stage.
Final season farewell plans
RM asked about the plans to mark the last season at WHL. DC was open to all suggestions, especially from fans and it was thought THST may be used as the conduit to collate these ideas. The Club was in the process of establishing a regular group to handle this
RM asked whether the last match at WHL would be a league match or a specially arranged game. DC explained the build programme made It difficult to host another match at the end of the Premier League calendar, so it would likely be a league game
KL asked whether the Club would ask for dispensation to play a block of Premier League matches away from WHL at the start and end of the forthcoming campaign. DL confirmed this had been requested – not a block, but two matches at the end of the campaign – and this was being considered by the PL
It was confirmed that fans would be able to purchase their seats once the final game had been played at White Hart Lane
Transport
KS asked for an update on match day transport for next season. JW confirmed that the service offered by LOROL had improved since taking over the line last summer. LOROL are upgrading signalling on the Enfield Town/ Cheshunt line, which should enable a more regular service. New trains would be ready for 2017/18, also. JW reported that the Northumberland Park line, run by Abellio, had engineering works scheduled for next season but as THFC was now out of the Thursday/ Sunday cycle, Sunday works should be less of a problem