In attendance were…

Martin Peters
David Pleat
Chris Hughton
Colin Calderwood
Colin Murphy
…and about 100 Spurs season ticket holders.

Minutes of the meeting of the "Spurs Fans' Forum" on the evening of Thursday, 7th January, 1999.

Venue - Bill Nicholson Suite, West Stand, White Hart Lane (or is it Bill Nicholson Way?)

Present:- Panel chaired by Martin Peters M.B.E, consisting of David Pleat, Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood, and Colin Murphy (Youth Team Coach), together with some 150 lucky season ticket holders/ members, whose names were pulled "out of the hat", and who were invited to attend, beneath such famous pictures as the "Mackay/Bremner" photograph, and who were treated to light refreshments before the start of business. Those present included yours truly, son Gregory, Mr and Mrs Lewis (more of whom later), and another listee "Ian" (sorry Ian - didn't catch your surname).

The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m promptly, and Mr Peters made it clear that the forum was only for football related issues, and not matters such as administration, as the appropriate people were not present. (Such issues are covered by the AGM in any case). I started the ball rolling with the first question:-

Q:- Sol Campbell is gold dust; what are the club doing to ensure his services in the long term,and to make sure his contract is at least level with other top paid players?

R:- (D.P) "Sol Campbell is Spurs through and through. He is not a man for the penny. (By that I think Pleat meant he was not in it just for the money). His contract runs till next summer (I'm not sure if this means this year or next year)), but the club is not letting the grass grow under its feet, and is in touch with his agent" Others then took the floor:

Q:- Regarding possible future development, and increase in capacity.

R:- (D.P) There are tentative plans to increase the capacity to 44-46000, and to improve the frontage of the club. There may be a museum in the future, and new offices. I think the extension plans therefore must relate to the West Stand, but Pleat made it clear there were no definite plans as yet.
There was then a complex question about Bosman, and the possible creation of databases regarding the contracts of players at other clubs. It was accepted that in this country, we are not up to speed as they are in Spain, and Italy. Colin Murphy's answer did suggest that the club are "switched on" to technology, as he spoke of possible use of web sites for such data.

Q:- re Youth structure, and the loss of potential stars to other clubs. The son of a David Livermore was quoted as joining the Arsenal staff, in preference to Spurs.

R:- (C.H) Spoke about the introduction of a Steve Brentfield (?) as "Youth in the community" officer, and the desire of the club to improve its system. D.P spoke of other clubs offering "seducing factors" to attract youth to them, and seemed to be saying that through the years there have always been stories of clubs missing the boat on occasions. No other specific names were mentioned at this point - perhaps Beckham being the obvious one.

Q:- addressed to Colin Calderwood about what he considered his best role

R:- (C.C.) Centre half. Hopes to be at the club for at least another two years.

Q:- Re fewer injuries since the arrival of GG.

R:- (C.C) made the point that the treatment room is still fairly busy, but did point out the benefit of the fitness coach, his warm up exercises, and the increased weight training.
(C.H) spoke of the perceived benefits of the longer pre-season, and Darren Anderton's fitness, and form.
(D.P) "They understand scottish better than they do German". He then spoke warmly of Christian Gross calling him a "lovely man, and hard working ", but made the point about the need for players and manager to have a "rapport".
There was a little interchange between Martin Peters and C.H about the current terminology for injuries that didn't seem to exist in the old days.

Q:- Re Darren Anderton - Can we expect to see him on the wing?

R:- (C.H.) described Darren as "as good a passer of the ball as any player", and went on about how good a job he was doing and "we don't know where he will end up playing"

Q:- To what extent has the atmosphere changed under GG?

R:- (C.C) The dressing room changed straight away. The press and public perception improved immediately i.e they weren't getting on the back of individuals or the club in general. There have been slight changes in training methods (no details here !). Colin also at this point spoke about the benefit of the pre-season training. The general view seems to have been that the players went into the first games in an optimistic frame of mind, and were disappointed about the loss of the first two matches.
(C.H) was positive about the change in atmosphere, and the fact that we "go to games feeling that we can get something out of them"
(D.P) made a further point in support of Gross, saying that his plans to take the squad to the circus were good, and that if Brian Clough had come up with the idea, it would have been seen as a master-stroke. he also spoke of the media monitor in relation to a question about our transfer targets, saying that 90% of speculation linking us with players really meant that we had an "awareness", and nothing more. Needless to say, nobody came up with specific answers regarding transfer targets.

Q:- from a youth team supporter about the confusing system(?) regarding their fixtures

R:- (C.M) (It is confusing) We may play some teams once, twice or not at all during any one season
There then followed some lengthy discussion about referees. D.P referred to last night's Brentford reserve game, and was critical of the referee, saying he thought he was being assessed. He feels that refs want to go professional, and he is on the working party that will report to the Premiership chairmen. He raised questions about who would choose professional refs, and the fact that they could b sacked, and who would do the sacking. Colin Calderwood gave Wendy Toms (lady linesperson) some positive feedback, but Pleat pointed out that it was her that got Court sent off for Wimbledon, so he won't play against us in one of the games. Colin spoke of getting booked for his first tackle in one game this season, and the referee said that "he should have booked him for a tackle in a previous game"(!) He then said, "I don't like referees", and of course the next question came from a referee!

Q:- re poor conditions at St Albans for reserve games (The questioner called it "Dogs**t Park")

R:- (C.H) some sympathy for the question, but our ground is immaculate, and we need to get the balance right about ground conditions, and the venue for reserves and youth teams.

Q:- re superleague

R:- (D.P) A 2/3 majority of the premiership is required to achieve change. At present, only 4 o 5 clubs have aspirations. He did predict a Premiership Division 1 and 2, as there are some clubs in the Nationwide big enough to compete on this basis. He was concerned about the collapse of the "base of the pyramid", referring to the financial plight of smaller clubs in this country.

Q:- re pushing through home players, and there was a discussion about the foreign players issue.

Q:- Mrs Elaine LEWIS!!! Neil Fenn has been pushed out to four different clubs now. When is he going to get a chance?

R:- (D.P) Maybe he's not good enough, and he needs to come through the mediocrity. He put Rory Allen above Fenn in the pecking order, and when Elaine came back at him said "You're not Mrs Fenn are you?" (!)
It has to be said that both Colin Murphy and Chris Hughton were supportive in general terms about the value of players getting first team experience at smaller clubs, rather than perhaps being in and out of the reserves side. CH made the point that players often ask to be sent out on loan.

Q:- about the possibility of open training sessions.

R:-Clearly GG is against open sessions, and it would seem that what he says goes in this and many other directions!

Q:- With the emergence of Luke Young, is the club ceasing its search for an International class centre back?

R:- (CC) took this on the chin and said of Luke Young "he doesn't deserve to be left out"
The same questioner then posed criticism of Sinton, and this prompted considerable support from the panel:-
D.P " He's been kicked all his life, and wants to get his own back" I sold him, he's done very well.
C.C "We used to call him The Hat because of his hair style. Now we call him the hatchet"
C.H "He's a terrific professional. I like right footed left backs.

Q:- Re Gary Mabbutt to which D>P responded that the club offered him a coaching job, but said that Gary wanted to play on a little more. Some comment was invited re Ginola :- C.H - although he 's described a s luxury player he has great skill going forward, is creative, an he is as fit as anyone. He's a pleasure to work with, and he's only missed two training sessions in 18 months
D.P "He's a fantastic talent"

Q:- Re Freund.

R:- He arrived at 5.30 p.m today (7th) and he is unlikely to play on Saturday. Tarrico is likely to travel to Sheffield, but the signs were that he won't play either.

Q:- Mr Bruce LEWIS !!! to Colin "How do you feel when the supporters get on your back, or on the players backs in general?" Bruce also had a dig at Pleat about his comments when at Sheffield about the high ball style of Spurs in the past, making the point that we have so many skilful midfield players now

R:-(CC) "You don' like to hear it. I don't believe that people that hand it out are true supporters" (Applause)

Q:- to C.H re working with George Graham, and what say does h get in the team selection

R:- Praised CG, saying he was a hard worker, methodical, and wanted to do anything. I think CH was a bit frustrated under him, but he did speak glowingly of this period. Then indicated that he has more of a relationship with GG, and that the two of them may discuss team issues, the manager has the last word!

Q:- Re Moussa Saib, and Mark Gower

R:- (CH) Saib recovering from his back op. "WE were looking to kick-start his career when we signed him, and we are looking to him to push on" Re Gower he is a "young lad we think very highly of, and he is waiting for opportunities"
There was a good question about the possibility of feuds developing in the Wimbledon games, making the link to the Kinnear - Kid sending off 31 years ago when we played ManU 3 times in a week. Chris Hughton fielded this one primarily by saying that as a coach, you have to be aware of it, and try and prevent anything from happening.

Q:- about paying high wages to players with "only one good foot" (a clear allusion to Chris Armstrong)

R:- (D.P) made a good point about Puskas only having one foot, and highlighted the various qualities of different players past and present. David Pleat significantly failed to answer a question about how he saw his own future role at the club.
There was then a discussion about the concept of a mid-season break. The response by CH to a question about the status of our two goalies clearly suggested to me that Ian Walker is seen as our number one goalkeeper; that Baardsen is still a young man with a lot of experience to gain, and that he realises that, wanting to do it at Spurs.

Q:- What would be a successful season for Spurs?

C.M Would like to win something. We may be closer than some think. We are playing bold, attacking, exciting football. We are seeing the emergence of young players. We have a desire to compete SENSIBLY on the transfer market, and provide a side for next season.
CC A place in Europe. Ideally to win a trophy. A league position higher than last year.
CH Europe via Worthington Cup / FA cup or a league placing To finish the season with optimism
DP Top 6 place, maybe top 4 in the near future, and 1 or 2 cups over the next five years.
There was then a question about home support, and Colin Calderwood came up with a good idea to make better use of the big screens to gee the crowd up. Martin Peters took note of this very good suggestion. Pleat made clear that we are not going to see a return of any standing areas in premiership grounds.

In conclusion, this was very relaxed and convivial evening. I suspect that the concept was an idea of Martin Peters, who stated that such evenings would be held about three or four times a year. I haven't managed to reflect everything that went on, but I commend all who took part, and would particularly praise Calderwood, who despite not getting a regular place proved that he is a good pro; honest; humorous, and considerate, and he improved his reputation in my eyes. I have been keen to get this factual account out asap, and may be able to offer more in the way of reflection tomorrow.

The meeting concluded at 9.45 p.m (approximately)