A parting message from outgoing Board member and FAB Rep, Rachel Martin
Just over ten and a half years ago I took the decision that as a busy mother and headteacher I really needed another massively demanding role in my life. Actually, maybe it was more that I decided that despite how busy I was, the opportunity to work closely with the official supporters trust for the club I love, was simply too good to turn down. Spurs was in my blood, it was in my father’s, my grandfather’s and it’s now in my daughter’s and we will soon be bringing my granddaughter to the stadium for her first men’s game. It’s the thread that runs through our lives and I was massively excited at the prospect of learning another side of the club, and of the issues that affect supporters. Of course I had no idea what that would really look like, of how any of my skills might be relevant, and whether I could make a difference. I’m hoping that some of you reading this, might be tempted to put yourselves forward for a role on the Trust – and that you too can volunteer your time in an area that matters to so many, learn lots and have fun in the process.
My first few years were spent developing my knowledge of the minutiae of club policies and how they impacted fans. I led on food and beverage provision, which came to be an important area when we moved into our new stadium. It was important to ensure that it was affordable, good quality, diverse and met a range of dietary needs. We conducted regular supporter surveys and I fed these back at monthly meetings with club staff who I always found to be incredibly receptive and welcoming of our data and feedback. Ray Watson, in particular, was an absolute diamond to work with.
Over the years, and once I had retired from my full time professional role, I had many opportunities to broaden my experience. Here are just a few, maybe some of these would appeal to you:
Meeting regularly with Daniel Levy, Donna Cullen and other senior club figures to bring supporter concerns directly to the top.
Fighting the Club’s decision to join the European Superleague debacle
Representing the Trust in a government consultation on fan engagement – which eventually led to the creation of an Independent Football Regulator and Fan Advisory Boards, amongst many other things
Working with reps from other Trusts via the Football Supporters Association, attending meetings to try and affect policy and decisions with the government, Premier League, PGMO, and broadcasters
Working on the huge amount of issues in ticketing: pricing, loyalty points, seat relocations, mis-selling of tickets eg away fans in home areas, erosion and latterly, thank goodness, some expansion of concession provision, and many, many individual queries and difficulties eg accessibility, diet, stewarding
Communicating with the wider fanbase and general public on TV, radio and podcasts. Probably my favourite being able to record our thanks to Pochettinho on his departure, on BBC and ITV News – I’ve since been wheeled out an alarming number of times as various managers have come and gone. Let’s hope this doesn’t again become a regular feature for Trust colleagues!
Working closely with many Spurs journalists including the wonderful Ali Gold, George Sessions, Michael Bridge, Jay Harris, Jack Pitt Brooke and all at The Athletic
Meeting Spurs fans from all over the country and around the World. I even watched Spurs v Leeds with Rajasthan Spurs while on holiday in Jaipur last year! Everyone has their own interesting story to share but the one thing we all have in common is our love of Spurs
Addressing groups of Spurs fans to promote and explain the work and remit of the Trust – including supporters clubs and, most recently, Spurs’ Youth Forum
Arranging and hosting many social events for members and raising funds for important charities like Studio 306 Collective, Legend on the Bench, Pancreatic and Prostate Cancer UK, and Enfield and Tottenham Foodbanks
Working with the Club to try and honour our legends eg getting the Bill Nicholson Gates installed, murals created, beginning the process of having statues erected, continuing to lobby for a museum
Attending many other meetings eg with various club staff, police groups and neighbourhood groups
Planning for European away trips and domestic trips to new stadia to ensure our supporters are treated well. Compiling reports for the club and UEFA when there are problems eg most recent trip to San Siro
Not everyone wants or needs to take on senior leadership roles within the Trust but I chose to stand and was elected to be a Co-Chair of the Trust with my colleague Steve Cavalier. We later stood down to become the two Trust reps on the newly formed Club Fan Advisory Board. This gave me loads more opportunities to really understand the ethos of the club, its priorities and motivations as well as use my influence and the huge voice that the Trust has, to remind the Club that without fans, football is nothing. They should value supporters and hold them at the heart of every decision made.
Steve and I make a great team with his eye for detail, sense of humour and strategic vision, and my ‘big picture / vision’ mindset and enjoyment of team building and empowering others. Obviously we don’t agree on everything but what would be the point of that anyway? As a member of the FAB I was able to give the verdict of our members on these past two seasons, directly to Peter Charrington, Vinai Venkatesham and senior footballing figures at the club. This was cathartic and a privilege – not something I could have imagined really, as a young Spurs fan. I can’t claim sole responsibility for our dramatic start to the transfer window but I’m sure our survey feedback throughout the season was accepted and helped!
Working on the Trust means I’ve worked with many excellent and totally dedicated club staff (many of whom are Spurs fans) including the late Jonathan Waite, and Levi Harris and Jake Heath, in supporter liaison, and Ian Murphy in ticketing, Tony Stevens in PR, Elaine Banks, Exec Asst, Dean Smith and his team at the stadium and so many more.
Throughout this time I have met some really wonderful and inspiring people. Many colleagues became dear friends, especially Pete Haine and Kevin Fitzgerald who both tragically passed, far too young, because of cancer. They were the best of men and I still miss them a lot. I thank my time on the Trust for the many friends I’ve made, especially Steve of course, but also Bren from The Cheeseroom who has been there for me in all the good times, but also when I’ve messed up. He will give me honest advice but knowing I have always tried to do the right thing. It’s just that we are all human so we all get it wrong sometimes. I hope that you all have a Bren in your life.
Now, after over ten years, I am standing down so that I can hopefully just enjoy being a Spurs fan again, without any of the other off pitch issues to worry about. I think that the change I am most proud of is my role in the ‘Fill Our Home Find Our Voice’ campaign which means that concessions are now available throughout the South Stand, and Young Adults now qualify for the discount until they are 25 (rather than 21).
I leave the Trust in the very capable hands of Michael, Tristan and Steve, who are leading THST with great integrity and commitment. They are knowledgeable, diligent, conscientious and kind. Our current Board is full of good people. Jo, Andy, James, Neil, Roy and Mark volunteer their time for all the right reasons and are driven by the desire to make life better for Spurs fans. There is always a need for fresh ideas, diversity of views and expertise and a willingness to put in the time to make a difference for everyone. If any of this makes you think that maybe this is something that could be for you, please get in touch – they would love to hear from you. And it could be the beginning of a major new part of your life. Come On You Spurs!