- Sep 2, 2003
- 5,850
- 8,794
It has become obvious over the last few weeks that, if our bid for the Olympic Park development is accepted, then we are moving to Stratford. This has been discussed at length on SC and numerous other forums, with opinions ranging from those who think it will be the best thing that has ever happened to the club (or possibly in the history of the world) to those who declare that the move would end their support of the mighty Spurs.
We can only assume that the move has been prompted by financial motives, both short and long-term. We have to assume this because it would have to be a compelling reason for us to consider leaving our spiritual, and physical, home. It is obvious that the extra 3,750 seats in the Stratford stadium will generate more revenue than at the 'Naming Rights', and it is arguable that the closer proximity to the City, and superior transport links, will have a similar beneficial effect on sponsorship and corporate events - particularly on days when matches are not being played. All well and good.
The real financial motivation, however, appears to be the reported disparity in the cost of developing the two sites. We are told that the Northumberland Development Project will cost £200m more than re-developing the Stratford site. Personally, I believe this to be a significant exaggeration, as (unless I have missed something) I don't believe that it takes into account the revenues from the sale of the hotel, supermarket, and flats. Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that there will be a significant saving to be made in moving rather than proceeding with the NDP.
Significantly, the Chairman's recent statement included the news that funding for the OS development is already in place, whereas we still do not own all of the land required for the NDP and (by implication) have not yet arranged funding. In the current economic climate, this might conceivably mean that it is the OS or nothing. That if we don't win the bid next week, we will be staying at the Lane - with its current capacity - indefinitely.
My feelings towards the stadium development have changed. They have roughly followed the stages that a revolutionary new idea has to go through until it becomes accepted. [I have doubtless got these wrong as I can't be arsed to research them.]
1. Incredulity.
'WTF?' followed by 'Nice one Dan: putting the wind up the authorities so that the remaining stages of the planning procedure go smoothly'.
2. Disbelief / dismissal
'Hang on, we've got AEG as a partner. Those boys don't fuck about. We can't be serious, can we? No, we're just stringing everybody along, including AEG. Those suckers don't know who they're playing with; our Dan's the man. We're not really serious.'
3. Outrage
'Fuck me, we're serious! That c*** Levy! He's prepared to shit on 100 years of history just to fatten the club so he and his idle f****** partner Lewis can sell up and make a killing. Bastard! He'll never get away with it.'
4. Acceptance
Acceptance was a tough one. I first went to the Lane in 1968. I've seen us win two UEFA Cups there. I've seen more great players and matches than I care to remember. It's not just the club's spiritual home: it's mine. I love the place, and the whole experience of going there. I will really, really miss it.
But then I looked at the bigger picture. Yes, the Lane is part of the club and its history - and I would prefer to stay there - but it isn't 'the club'. I don't support White Hart Lane, I support Tottenham Hotspur. I've enjoyed taking the piss out of Woolwich and I understand that we'll be moving to east London. But you know what: I realise that those things aren't important. I don't care that we're moving on to Orient's manor (no, Brady and the porn twins, not yours) and that those retards from Cashburden Grove might be the only club still in north London. I'm from north London, and it doesn't bother me.
What bothers me is our club. Its continued existence. The fact that it is well run. The fact that we play football the 'Tottenham way' (all right so I'm old school: deal with it), and the fact that we are successful. I want it to really be the best, most successful club in world football - not just in my head, but actually: in the real world. I couldn't give a flying f*** for the Olympic legacy, or about what Karen Brady, Seb Coe, David Lammy or anybody else thinks or says. I love Tottenham Hotspur, and I want what is best for it. I want my club to be (as the song says) the greatest the world has ever seen.
If the first stage of achieving that is moving to Stratford, so be it.
I'm in.
We can only assume that the move has been prompted by financial motives, both short and long-term. We have to assume this because it would have to be a compelling reason for us to consider leaving our spiritual, and physical, home. It is obvious that the extra 3,750 seats in the Stratford stadium will generate more revenue than at the 'Naming Rights', and it is arguable that the closer proximity to the City, and superior transport links, will have a similar beneficial effect on sponsorship and corporate events - particularly on days when matches are not being played. All well and good.
The real financial motivation, however, appears to be the reported disparity in the cost of developing the two sites. We are told that the Northumberland Development Project will cost £200m more than re-developing the Stratford site. Personally, I believe this to be a significant exaggeration, as (unless I have missed something) I don't believe that it takes into account the revenues from the sale of the hotel, supermarket, and flats. Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that there will be a significant saving to be made in moving rather than proceeding with the NDP.
Significantly, the Chairman's recent statement included the news that funding for the OS development is already in place, whereas we still do not own all of the land required for the NDP and (by implication) have not yet arranged funding. In the current economic climate, this might conceivably mean that it is the OS or nothing. That if we don't win the bid next week, we will be staying at the Lane - with its current capacity - indefinitely.
My feelings towards the stadium development have changed. They have roughly followed the stages that a revolutionary new idea has to go through until it becomes accepted. [I have doubtless got these wrong as I can't be arsed to research them.]
1. Incredulity.
'WTF?' followed by 'Nice one Dan: putting the wind up the authorities so that the remaining stages of the planning procedure go smoothly'.
2. Disbelief / dismissal
'Hang on, we've got AEG as a partner. Those boys don't fuck about. We can't be serious, can we? No, we're just stringing everybody along, including AEG. Those suckers don't know who they're playing with; our Dan's the man. We're not really serious.'
3. Outrage
'Fuck me, we're serious! That c*** Levy! He's prepared to shit on 100 years of history just to fatten the club so he and his idle f****** partner Lewis can sell up and make a killing. Bastard! He'll never get away with it.'
4. Acceptance
Acceptance was a tough one. I first went to the Lane in 1968. I've seen us win two UEFA Cups there. I've seen more great players and matches than I care to remember. It's not just the club's spiritual home: it's mine. I love the place, and the whole experience of going there. I will really, really miss it.
But then I looked at the bigger picture. Yes, the Lane is part of the club and its history - and I would prefer to stay there - but it isn't 'the club'. I don't support White Hart Lane, I support Tottenham Hotspur. I've enjoyed taking the piss out of Woolwich and I understand that we'll be moving to east London. But you know what: I realise that those things aren't important. I don't care that we're moving on to Orient's manor (no, Brady and the porn twins, not yours) and that those retards from Cashburden Grove might be the only club still in north London. I'm from north London, and it doesn't bother me.
What bothers me is our club. Its continued existence. The fact that it is well run. The fact that we play football the 'Tottenham way' (all right so I'm old school: deal with it), and the fact that we are successful. I want it to really be the best, most successful club in world football - not just in my head, but actually: in the real world. I couldn't give a flying f*** for the Olympic legacy, or about what Karen Brady, Seb Coe, David Lammy or anybody else thinks or says. I love Tottenham Hotspur, and I want what is best for it. I want my club to be (as the song says) the greatest the world has ever seen.
If the first stage of achieving that is moving to Stratford, so be it.
I'm in.