Martin Cloake

Writer, editor, Londoner. Now mostly on @martincloake.bluesky.social

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

One of my election pledges was to raise the profile of the #THFC FAB and be more transparent. So I’m pinning my contact details, and some helpful information.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Important detail. Please read.

[Kat @Katspur71]

Anyone planning on attending any games in November or earlier in December please note that those matches are yet to be selected for TV, so the times could - and probably will - move. It’s just Xmas and NY announced today. #COYS

[The FSA @WeAreTheFSA]

Did you know the football regulator protects:

🏟️ Home grounds
🔰 Emblems or crests
👘 Home kit colours
🔤 Club names

Find out how your fan group can use @TheIFROfficial powers to protect club heritage. Latest blog from @MartinCloake

🔗 https://t.co/pELny6lWZc

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Happy Birthday @SpursOfficial

[The FSA @WeAreTheFSA]

https://t.co/kLwGdf5Cvz

[UEFA @UEFA]

🤝We met @EFC_Football, @FansEurope and @EuropeanLeagues in Madrid this week to discuss the contribution of travelling supporters to European football.

🏟️We are united in supporting a fairer, more proportionate approach to restrictions on away fans.

🔗Full statement: https://t.co/h98niwAnIr

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@gordongdtaylor @RobSimmonds2 This thread perfectly illustrates the challenge a rep faces 😃

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the election for the #Spurs Fan Advisory Board - absolutely overwhelmed by the support. Hopefully I can help make a difference. Better communication, senior concessions, and heritage high on my list. #COYS

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@simoncgray Absolutely - which is why improved communication is top of my agenda.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@MidlandSpurs It’s one of my early priorities. Remains a stain on some very good comms work the Club is doing to start reconnecting with fans.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Latest in the series of guides for fans wanting to make the most of the Football Governance Act.

https://t.co/Nm2bhBaypK

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@PetterSpurs Absolutely won’t. But also not buying any attempts to play younger fans off against older. Hope you’re well mate

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@yvonnehazard @LaurenceCombyne It’s the £20 per ticket the train companies charge to change the time of the ticket - on top of the difference in price - that is the real joke. It is a few clicks online, with the customer doing all the work. So £20 of admin costs? I don’t think so.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Any #Spurs travelling to Anfield for our Carabao Cup game - it’s moved. Trains and hotels booked when tie was confirmed. Whoever is to blame, fans the last consideration again.
#stopexploitingloyalty

https://t.co/mN9SlXwHqe

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Welcome back, Alan.

https://t.co/AL4zbjYBsh

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@ThisIsSammy My view is that it is a change of badge that can’t be agreed without fan consent after consultation, under the legal requirement of the Football Governance Act.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Straightforward, spin-free message that gives hope the board has finally got it and is taking us in the right direction. In the end, it’s what we see on the pitch that matters, but there seems to have been a change for the better after early stumbles. Optimistic.

[Chris Cowlin @ChrisCowlin]

Vinai Venkatesham has sent a message to the Spurs fans...

The start of any campaign brings anticipation, but this season feels especially important. Last season was one of the most challenging this Club has ever experienced and we all know that can never be repeated.

There have been significant changes made to put us on the right path for the future and there is a real sense of energy and optimism for the season ahead.

The focus of our Ownership and Board is clear. We want to build teams capable of competing at the highest level. This applies across both our Men’s and Women’s teams. Tottenham is ‘one club, two teams’ and both will be given the support, resources and environment they need to fulfil our ambitions.

I know that many supporters feel they have too often just heard words and not seen actions. This summer has been focussed on action and I wanted to summarise some of the most significant work undertaken around our Men’s team:

Our Squad: We have strengthened our men’s squad with a clear focus on the quality, character and physical robustness needed to achieve our aims. We have attracted the names we wanted to attract, adding players with proven Premier League experience alongside talent we believe can continue to develop and improve with us.

Player Availability: We have suffered too many injuries in recent years. Sweeping changes have been made to our Performance team, bringing in top experts with new skills and expertise to transform the way we work across performance, medical and physical preparation. We have made significant changes to our first team gym to provide the right environment to improve the resilience of our squad. Things cannot be expected to change overnight, but we have the right building blocks in place to improve player availability.

Player Trading: Successful clubs have to be decisive about both recruitment and sales, and selling well is critical in modern football. We have too often held onto players for too long. This summer, we have been more aggressive in selling players at what we believe is the right point, structuring deals to ensure we enjoy future upside as players achieve future milestones in their careers.

Young Players: We want to develop players through our Academy that can play for our first team. Our Academy must remain fundamental to the future of Tottenham Hotspur. We have been very active in signing a number of players this summer aged 16 and below, to ensure we have the best possible pipeline of players for the future.

Hotspur Way: A number of changes have been made at our Training Centre focussed on ensuring the environment is optimised to drive results. Whether that be a new tactical briefing room, changes to the player restaurant or simply changing imagery and branding so the building looks and feels like a home for high performance.

Connection: I have consistently heard from supporters and ex-players that they feel disconnected from their Club. We are determined to correct this and have us all connected as one Spurs family. Our history and heritage are fundamental to that. Tottenham has a rich identity, shaped by generations of players, supporters and moments that have made this Club what it is, and we want to ensure that history is much more visible and connected. Hopefully you have seen some steps we have started to take in doing this, whether through the content we have been putting out on our channels or welcoming back a large number of our ex-players for lunch with our current squad. There is much more to do and rebuilding that sense of connection and belonging will take time, but it matters enormously to us.

It has been a busy summer, a lot of work is underway and we will continue to rebuild and reset. There will be challenges, as there always are in football, but we start this season with belief, determination and togetherness.

Thank you for your incredible support. Welcome back, let’s make this a season we can all be proud of.

#COYS #THFC

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

Very sad. The first Spurs song I ever knew all the way through. Proper tributes from proper Spurs people will follow.

[Steve Perryman @Steve6Perryman]

The great Cyril Knowles sadly passed away today 35 years ago. He was as special a man and character as was his wand of a left foot.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@MartinKnight_ Brilliant book that turned me on to the fact people like us could be written about. I had the privilege to interview Hunter about the book years later and it was an eye opener.

[Martin Cloake @MartinCloake]

@SaintCharl1792 It’s about the atmosphere and mentality created by the board throughout the whole club, but yes, ultimately it’s the players.