Programme Notes from 11th March 2001.
I've followed the Spurs since I was eight-years-old but I'm not a fanatical fan. The decision was made on business grounds, but obviously it is an advantage that I have been following the club for so long.
"We wanted to buy a club in England, and we decided early on that it should be in London. With apologies, there are only three big clubs in the capital Woolwich, Tottenham and Chelsea and Tottenham was available. We want to bring back to White Hart Lane the sense of tradition and occasion that seems to have slipped away.
"I think fans will see that we'll be a caring owner. i know exactly what it‘s like to be an ordinary supporter. (Do you know, not a single fellow season-ticket holder in the West Stand has ever tackled me about plans for the club or suggested what should be changed? I don't think they know who I am).
"l realise how infuriating it is when my son can’t get a packet of Maltesers at half-time because they’ve run out. I know what it's like to walk down a corridor in the grandstand and feel as if you’re in jail as the walls are unpainted and bare. There are corporate areas at White Hart Lane with photographs on the wall but no captions; other areas with no pictures on the wail and nothing to signify the club’s history.
"They’re important to a club’s atmosphere. I teamed a lot from being a non-executive director of Rangers. When you walk into Ibrox, you can smell the history. You’re made to feel proud to be at Rangers, whether you're a director, a player or a spectator and that's what we need to achieve at Tottenham.
"One of the five other football clubs which ENIC has a stake in is Slavia Prague. We’ve invested around £3.5million in the club’s infrastructure and taken a controlling Interest. To British ears that may not sound much, but in the Czech Republic even a tenner goes a long way.
"Slavia, depending on whose opinion you believe, are either the biggest or second-biggest club in the country and qualify regularly for European competition. The Czech Republic’s national team is strong and the country is not far away from being admitted to the European Union. It also produces a stream of exciting young talent. So for a relatively small sum, we invested in a team with history and strong prospects.
"ENIC now has stakes in six clubs around Europe, but ridiculous restrictions recently put in place by UEFA, are already stifling investment. It has ruled that two teams which share one majority owner cannot play against each other in European competition. I can't understand UEFA’s reservations because the sort of collusion it seems to fear is already illegal. A public company such as ENIC would not, could not, dream of doing anything to fix any result. It would be impossible to accomplish and impossible to keep quiet.
"We hear rumours on the footballing grapevine an astonishingly efficient network that other owners in Europe allegedly influence what their clubs do, but they’re always about privately owned clubs which face far fewer restrictions. There should be complete transparency within club ownership and I want UEFA to introduce tests to ensure that you are "fit and proper" to own a club.
"Alan Sugar rescued Tottenham from bankruptcy, provided it with fantastic faculties, and the manner in which he was hounded from office was unfair. Sir Alan faced the same challenges we do now balancing the needs of shareholders, who want profit, with those of the fans, who want success on the pitch. Sometimes, the two do not go together. It is a balancing act. But Tottenham Hotspur is a public company, and, regardless of who is on the board, it has to stand up for itself.
"Everyone has their favourite players and I’m not giving away any secrets if I say Spurs heroes Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker are mine but I've no intention of telling manager George Graham who he should select.
"Everyone wants to see exciting, stylish football but most fans want one thing to see us at the top of the league. The balance between being cavalier and dour is a matter of opinion, and typically every fan has a different opinion. While I won’t tell George who to pick or buy, I will take an interest in the way we develop youngsters.
Investing in youth takes time, but is vital to a club's long-term stability and It’s an area we want to put significant financial resources. Young players are important; so too are young fans.
"When I first went to a Tottenham game with my uncle 30 years ago (1971), I bought a large rosette - whatever happened to them? On my way, I ate a hot dog, and loved the experience even though l ended up freezing. Plenty of clubs have hiked up admission charges. leaving young supporters unable to afford to get into the game, and that’s short-term thinking.
"Football must make sure it‘s tempting young fans through the gates because today’s wide-eyed youngster is tomorrow‘s season-ticket holder. Talking of which, I‘m now faced with a dilemma. For years, I’ve taken my usual seat in the West Stand. Now I’ll have no choice but to dress formally and watch from the director's box even though. in my heart, I’d rather be cheering from my normal seat. But the problem is what to do With my season ticket. Give It back, pass It on, or keep it for the odd trip back to my spiritual home? Decisions. decisions...."
- Highest in League?
