Monday, September 03, 2007

Tottenham Hotspur's Chairman Gets A Open Letter


This was in this mornings Guardian...just in case you thought it was only us having a moan...




An open letter to Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club:

Dear Mr Levy,

So now you have banned the Evening Standard from home matches and press conferences because that horrid columnist Matthew Norman has been nasty to you. Congratulations on another spectacular PR blunder.

This particular decision follows a fortnight during which the club has managed publicly to insult its fans, its players and its manager with a combination of half-truths, barely concealed threats and embarrassing climbdowns.

Your string of public relations own-goals makes Paul Robinson's England performances look like Gordon Banks in his prime.I confess to both a personal and professional interest. I was eight years old when Spurs did the double and have followed them for the last 45 years. But - and this is the point that should worry you - I spent nothing on the team for 30 years until last season. Then, thanks to manager Martin Jol's success and Spurs' emergence as a team worth watching, I started to spend money again.

I went to White Hart Lane for the Uefa cup quarter final, I became a member, I even bought a ticket for next month's game against Aston Villa.Well from now on, you can stuff it. I will be giving away the Villa ticket. I won't be renewing my membership. I don't even care - and this is the ultimate act of heresy - if you lose against Arsenal in two weeks' time.

For me and many like me, your grasping, disloyal, short-term, ungrateful cynicism is the Spurs Ratner moment.

It is the fatal inability to understand that even the most loyal brand values have a threshhold, and once it is crossed you start to lose not just credibility but ultimately money.You may think you are simply following a trend.

After all, Sir Alex Ferguson is notorious for banishing journalists who have offended him, and will still have nothing to do with the BBC after its unflattering documentary on his son Jason, a former football agent. Sam Allardyce, now of Newcastle, also won't touch the Beeb after accusations made in last September's Panorama about soccer bungs.

The legendary manager Tommy Docherty spoke for many of his peers when he said: "There's a place for the press in football, but they haven't dug it yet."The difference is that these are football managers, not owners, who are loved and respected by their fans. They may not have an undying respect for a free press, but they can be forgiven because they speak with the authority of their club's fan-base. You do not.

The closest analogy to your petty censorship is the decision by Alexandre Gaydamak, the owner of Portsmouth, to ban the local paper after it reflected local concerns about the building of a new £600m stadium. It's called journalism.I understand that you have a communications director who spends her time redlining Jol's programme notes. Perhaps she should be spending a little more time understanding the importance of free speech, half-decent PR, and customer loyalty.

It might also be worth looking at some case studies of crisis management: the likes of Perrier, Coca-Cola and Cadbury can instantly recognise a public relations disaster and the real financial damage it can inflict. You don't seem to have a clue. And if your primary concern is - as some are suggesting - fattening up the club to maximise the sale value, the fans know how to hit you where it hurts.I will be doing my bit and voluntarily excluding myself from White Hart Lane.

With any luck, there will be hundreds of other long-suffering fans who choose to do the same. In the meantime, if you would like some free advice on how to manage the club's public face, I have several students who could help. You might start by being a touch less sensitive to public criticism: you deserve every word.

Yours,
Steven Barnett

Professor of Communications,University of Westminster

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
HERE'S THE POSTSCRIPT: CLICK








65 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well he certainly wont be getting a once in a lifetime offer to buy a Spurs timeshare now, or even a handjob off Clare tomlinson.

Silly man.

Anonymous said...

Stevey boy does seems a bit of a fairweather cunt though doesnt he.

Anonymous said...

Can you recommend the former, then?

Anonymous said...

Can somebody send him the fixture list for 2037/38.

Anonymous said...

can i have your ticket that you are giving away?

Harry Hotspur said...

4ever - brilliant.

Anonymous said...

A ridiculous 'article'. So, it's alright if a manager gets sniffy with the press but not a club chairman. The ES journo's snide remarks about Levy's Cambridge degree were pathetic and didn't add to the Jol in/Jol out -Levy in/Levy out debate whatsoever.

Barnett would have done better worrying about his own University, which ain't the best run in the world!

Anonymous said...

so doesn't anyone agree with what he said?

Anonymous said...

What a twat. Starts off by essentially saying that he's a glory hunter then says he's going back to doing nothing for our club. I bet he didn't write those kinds of letters when Fergie and Redknapp refused to talk to BBC. He can fuck off

Anonymous said...

Personally I like Levy and think he's been instrumental in the upturn in our fortunes. The one thing I'm not too sure on is Comoli's involvement but think it's just paper talk trying to create a divide between Jol and Comoli.

As for Stevie boy we don't need fickle fans like him. Fickle as they come and only follows the team in the good times. Maybe he could learn a thing or 2 from his own communication classes

Anonymous said...

Jolsgonemental,

tell me more about that handjob by Clare Tomlinson (donned in just a Spurs Shirt!)

Anonymous said...

I personally think Comoli is THE PROBLEM

He has been sent on a secret mission from his master 'The Peado' Wenger to infiltrate & befriend the 'enemy' camp, spy and cause mayhem & destruction, star wars stylie

Get Him Out the little Toad

Anonymous said...

Steven Barnett...stay away from WHL. Go follow Arsenal, its much easier these days.

The rubbsih the Standard wrote was vile, and however much you disagree with levys recent posturing and potential back stabbing, the articles were offensive.

Save Big martin Jol. I blame the ground kitchen staff, and the WHL electrician.

Anonymous said...

11.27

all members are entitled to recieve one. When they arrive to view the timeshare offer.

Dont tell me you didnt recieve the letter.


There is a number you need to call to confirm you wil be attending. I cant find it, someone can probably provide it.

Anonymous said...

it's 0034 968631008

Anonymous said...

This cock-smoker bangs on about being a loyal fan but hasn't spent a penny on the club in 30 years! He then starts buying tickets becuase we've started winning again!

This moron is the sort of twat from london that supports man utd or is one of the new army of prawn munching goons of chelsfilth 'fans'.

All I can say is thank fuck you're not coming to the lane anymore - you will not be missed !

Anonymous said...

12.16 Granted.... but do you agree with waht he says about Levy and the way that Tottenham as a Club have behaved?

Anonymous said...

Elk here's the point. We all know or have a view as to where our problem lies. a straw pole and you could find about a common 5 issues. We have these websites where we crap on about stuff. But you don't shit on your team and wish the *rse the f*ckin best in the next game. I don't care if he's right or wrong f*ck him.

Anonymous said...

westminster university? wasn't that a polytechnic?

Anonymous said...

i cant belive youve given this cunt page space with his comments...he say about the board "disloyal,short-term and ungrateful" and then the mug says "i dont even care if you lose against arsenal" well i tell you this even if we played in the non-leagues and our club was run by the taliban i would never refer to my great club as you as tottenham will be forever "mine" or "our" and im glad the fairweather tosser wont be going to the lane ever again

Anonymous said...

I'm ashamed to read that this man was ever a football supporter, let alone a spurs fan. As a journalist, he might want to show just how a lot of feelings are at white hart lane, but the fact that he hasn't bothered to follow the team for thirty years, then decides to show an interest when things look sunny says it all.

Some fans may be fickle, and moan, but at least they will support the club through thick and thin.

He might as well place an order for the chelsea 08/09 home shirt, he'd feel well at home with their fans. (Only if thy manage to win the league this season that is...)

COYS

Anonymous said...

What do you expect from The Daily Communist? The author has obviously been paying Fidel Castro's medical bills instead of tickets for the Lane!

Anonymous said...

As many others have said, this fairweather fellow (ok, some haven't quite put it like that, and maybe I don't blame them) should maybe turn up a little more and see the games that have wrenched our hearts such as the two cup collapses last year against hated rivals who we were putting away but for tactical mismanagement (or 'blunders').

As a professor, this professor shows a rather dimwitted understanding and appreciation of journalism and the press. He also, buy not attending games on a regular basis or probably even not really watching and following the team from an armchair has missed out on the fact that Levy has given us a Tottenham which aspires to more realistic greatness. Jol is a tool in that process and has done a fantastic job but Levy and the board want someone with belief and someone who doesn't crap himself and plan to defend to save games. If we want top 4 and glory we have to believe we can do that with our football - Jol shows signs that he doesn't believe we can.

This whole Ramos thing HAS been handled very badly and carelessly, but we have a Chairman who really believes in the team and doubts the manager does so as much as he does. We all love Jol, but almost all of us have seen something that makes us question aspects of Jol's ability.

Prof, follow the team for a season (yeah, that means spending some money) and then make a judgement ... you are far off the mark believing we are being poorly run - quite the opposite, bar a recent mistake - and we will achieve more in the coming years.

If Jol can do it for us - great ... if he can't, then I trust the board to do the right thing because they want what we want too.

COYS

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one sick to death of, as Cuntona mentioned, 'Seagulls following the trailer to scrounge off of the scraps.' Most reporter's are all parasites digging around the shit like dung beetles to pander up to our jealous and petty rivals who want it all to themselves. Sounds all like crap to me, just as Ferguson's remarks of 'How can anyone not finishing fourth correctly represent their league.' Or really, 'Oh shit, another club with a fortune coming in who will make it harder for us to keep up our own little game, I'd rather keep it all to myself!' I do think Jol's not up to it, but whatever happens, we are going to the top, and anyone who doesn't like it, rivals, press or whoever, can go fcuk themselves. COYS!

Anonymous said...

sounds a bit like a chelski 'fan' (as it where were you when you weren't very good)

Harry Hotspur said...

Out of courtesy, I've emailed the author to offer him a right of reply to the 'glory hunter' charges.

Anonymous said...

. . . only two people signed the prtition since Fulham . . . . one from Canade and one from Ukraine . . .

Anonymous said...

I support Spurs.

Therefore I shall not waiver in my support no matter who or what may or may not be creating a right royal mess at the club.

The queue for tickets is immense. We sell out every game. A few disgruntled fans boycotting the odd game will have no effect. Different strategy required....

Unknown said...

Steven is an articulate indignant fellow, but he is a bit of a gutless armchair/prawn sandwich style supporter. Its probably post
structuralist theory that has turned
him fickle - too much dialectic and
not enough logic of the supplement.

Anonymous said...

Just checked the website, martin jol is still in charge. it cant be long now surely....

Anonymous said...

I think it's pathetic that this pile of useless rubbish got published by a respected national newspaper. The Guardian should be ashamed that they have published this beacause they are essentially sinking to depths as low as the ES and all the tabloids. As for that Steve cunt, he should piss off and should never have bothered to write the article. I couldn't even bring myself to get through it. I also have no idea why he was bragging about not spend a penny on our beloved club, that's nothing to be proud of you moron. As for him saying that he hopes other Spurs fans give up on the club I think this is a disgrace because I feel that we should all stick with THFC. We should get behind Levy, because he has invested tens upon tens of millions, Comolli, because he has brought some great players to the club such as Kaboul and Taarabt, and finally we should get behind Jol as he has turned this clubs on-pitch fortunes around. I only have two more things to say: 1. Stick with it everyone (we always have, why give up now?) 2. COYS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Are you supposed to be a serious site? I find the comments re Clare Tomlinson offensive and insulting -they should have been immediately removed - and the reaction to Steve Barnett's very measured argument both idiotic and childlike. You may not agree but as a fellow supporter he is entitled to an opinion.

Anonymous said...

Hi it's 4:14 again, I forgot to say that I'm pretty sure that Steve will go back on himself if our luck turns. We may even catch him skulking back into WHL

Anonymous said...

4.18pm

i agree totally, this place is a hive of scum and villainy.

IS there anywhere we can report it? There must be laws about this sort of free speaking.

EL said...

Anon 4.14pm you took the words right out of my mouth. What IS the Grauniad doing? I expect better, but then I've alway been a naive & idealistic lefty. They appear to have jumped on the bandwagon like so many others but without any substance or panache. Steve's article was a wet flannel of a complaint coming from a wet blanket of a supporter.

Stone me, what next?

EL said...

Anon 4.18pm

"Are you supposed to be a serious site".

HA HA HA HA HA HA........

A serious site?

Are you new?

Anonymous said...

anon 4.18
get a life.

By the way, Martin Jols 1st game in charge - Arsecum at home; next game - Arsecum at home. First and last anyone? Hope not though.

JGM - sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, you sarcastic worm.

COYS

Anonymous said...

so it will end as it began. Bookended by the biggest game in world football. thats just so beautiful and tragic. its almost poetic.


seeya you fat cunt.

EL said...

Dannyboy, have to disagree about sarcasm. It depends on how subtle its use is and anyway what the fcuk does Wilde know?

Didn't you ever see 'cheers'. Some of the funniest and highest form of sarcasm ever on tv.

Admittedly Jolsgonemenial has a way to go ;)

Anonymous said...

where does deliberately humourous mis-spellings rank on the humourometer el?

or should i say sm-el. teehee.

below cheers, above my family?

Anonymous said...

sorry, but this site is getting too cryptic for me......

Anonymous said...

dont worry about it divvyboy, you just need to read more private eye like sm-el.

EL said...

Sm el. Superb JGM. Takes me back to when I was about 7 years old. How my friends laughed when they'd call me that.

Anyway, when the big man IS finally sacked, are you going to change your handle to Mentaljolsgone?

Harry Hotspur said...

4.14

You found us out. No this is not a serious site.

Apologies for any offense caused by the references to oral sex.

Such comments are not commonplace on here and I shall look into the matter.

The letter wasn't put up by me to hang the author.

It was a debating device.

I have been in touch with him this afternoon and he has welcomed the opportunity for a right to reply.

I hope to have it for you later on.

Anonymous said...

Correction:

It was a hand job not a blowee.

Anonymous said...

harry hotspur you lying b'stard.

"this letter wasn't put on here to hang the author" chuckle. you're in league with jolsgonmental? admit it you supercad !!!

Anonymous said...

I will always be jolsgonemental.

children can be cruel, they rarely think that there simplistic bullying can leave lasting marks on the psyche.

luckily i was never bullied.

MJG sounds too much like a type of machine gun.

Clare tomlinson goes alot like a machine gun.

Anonymous said...

by the way, I see on the official website in the archive section (from last week - I was on holiday at the divvy convention) they are advertising 'do you fancy being a coach'. a thinly veiled advert for the big mans job ?!?!?

coys

Harry Hotspur said...

There's a card in a newsagents window on Tottenham High Road... reads

SITS VACANT:

Football Manager/ess Required.

Some experience necessary but full training will be provided.

Modest rates of pay & uniform/meals provided.

No Dutch.

Apply in person to
Hughton Holdings (Sports & Leisure)
PO BOX 101
N17

EL said...

JGM I know nothing about psyche scarring, machine guns or believe it or not, Clare Tomlinson. (I had to Google-image her) and I don't subscribe to sky.

I was always the small funny kid at school and subsequently was never bullied either. Calling me sm-ell made me laugh too, so was never a problem as I had a sense of humour about it. Some would say I still suffer from that same sense of humour.

PS. I've forgotten; is this a football blogsite?

Anonymous said...

tom the yid said...
I've just found the fuckers e mail address and sent him my point of view that the club may be a state on the business end, but who is he to comment after openly declaring himself a glory hunter. Let's see what he's got to say to that.

Anonymous said...

He sounds crap.

But I'm very worried about the Marton Jol way of defending a two goal lead. Why, why, why alter the system when you are playing well... At least switch like for like. His substitutions never work... Thats my worry...

I can see why the board have their doubts about his top 4 credentials as he invariably drops the winning chances against the big sides whn he has had them.

And what of Chris Hughton... Maybe sacking Jol is just a way of finally getting rid of him.

Anonymous said...

having said all that, they should have sacked Jol, if they wanted to, in the summer.

All reminds me of the way the FA screwed up getting big phil and ended up with smiling steve mcshatten.

Ever seen the Keystone Cops?

Anonymous said...

I'm all for freedom of speech, but the fact is some people are just not qualified to comment on these issues. I mean, if you can't tell the difference between a handjob and a blow job ... well, you must be 12. In which case, stop reading this stuff - or I'll tell your Mum.
POMPEY YID

Summerspur said...

DANNYBOY

I may be wrong but me thinks jols first game was a 3 2 reverse to charlton.

Anonymous said...

Summerspur

Yup - you're wrong, I think! Am sure his 1st game was the 5-4 reverse against the scum? As usual, answers on a postcard.

coys

Anonymous said...

summerspur.

you got me intruiged so i researched. he took temporary charge against charlton (well done you) and was appointed proper in time for the 5-4 loss. I always remeber him wearing the poppy! So the point of this is, erm, not sure really !!!

coys

Summerspur said...

DANNYBOY

For christs sake, temporary control, have you taken leave of your senses, if jolsgonemental gets wiff of this temporary control thingy he will be striving for a court order but probably end up with a restraining order.

Anonymous said...

Summerspur

Well all I can say is let's hope JGM isn't reading this blog then huh? What do you reckon JGM? Whoops......

Anonymous said...

Harry you love it you fuckin' Jiz monkey

Anonymous said...

jolsgonemental needs a straight jacket at this rate!!

Anonymous said...

We live in a democracy, which means we dont have to talk to people if we dont want to.

If I take out a full page spread in the times saying my neighbours house is shit, I can hardly blame him when he puts out a similar ad saying stay away from his home.

Daniel Levy is accountable to his shareholders, not the Evening Standard. If you think Norman was on some moral crusade for the greater good of humanity, youve lost the plot. He was using sensationalism to try and sell papers. Levy didnt like that and who can blame him?

Remember, Norman is still free to publish whatever he likes about Spurs.....he just doesnt get his prawn sandwich at half time. My heart goes out to him.

Anonymous said...

He sounds like one of those sad losers who's put his shirt on BMJ being the first manager to be sacked.

Most of the press boys aren't concerned about the Spurs board putting pressure on Martin Jol, they're furious that Levy DIDN'T sack Jol at their 'clear the air' meeting and all their dosh is rapidly disappearing down the tubes.

Just for the record, the Spurs board have only just, quite publicly, backed Martin Jol for this coming season. It's the press who are desperately trying to get him the sack every week, and I guess it'll go on until some other unfortunate manager kills off all bets.

Then they'll really be mad at Levy.

EL said...

Dear Pompous Yid(sorryJGM)

I like many on this site actually have a PhD in oral & manual sex techniques and would prefer that you refered to me in future as Dr el and declined from presuming we're under-qualified to discuss the serious matter of tv hostess sexual favours mind augmentation networking protocols which some of us on this site have developed into what I think you'll agree is a fine art despite your obvious disapproval.

yours Dr el.

Anonymous said...

Dr el,
Does that make you a sucker and a wanker?