Important Graham Roberts Announcement
Sunday, 07 September 08, 04:36 PM · Comments (88)
HH is delighted to announce that Tottenham legend Graham Roberts is stepping forward for the role of Chairman of The Tottenham Hotspur Supporter's Trust.
Graham will speaking to the Trust this week in relation to this postion.
Graham told me, "I am really excited about this and genuinely feel I can push the profile of the Trust up big time." and of course he would.
Roberts would be perfect for this task. The last incumbant, as you may have read here only days ago - fled the post having been ground down with abuse, insinuation and accusations. No comment.
What is clearly required at this stage is a man who absolutely 'earned the right to get in the team, and fought every game to be in it.' He has an obviously strong football background and is experienced with the media. What he crucially lacks is vested interest. Graham won't be plugging a website or toadying up to the Powers That Be at The Lane, he's simply looking to add to a decent organisation which could surely do with his positivity and determination.
He is, as he was in the shirt- an honest, straightforward character. His view on the post of chairman is simple, "This is a great club and I have some great ideas."
With Graham Roberts you will get a guy who will be open and hands on. He wants and thrives on interaction with us and told me, "I'm looking forward to talking to fans and seeing some of you guys on those special European away trips this year." I'm pleased to add that Robert's relationship with THFC is actually also very cordial and there is therefore no logical reason as to why this move wouldn't be an allround success.
So what does the actually Trust do?
I'd suggest 'get viewed with suspicion' would be a good answer at present.
I'll be honest, the moment somebody mentions the Trust to me I begin to drift into a coma.
Images of middle aged men, threadbare blazers and the sort of fifth rate self importance that you could probably only find elsewhere in rural Conservative clubs. And the FA, of course.
No two ways about it - Roberts would be a breath of fresh air. One that would give many of us a reason to look at the Trust as a credible, modern outfit. Perception is obviously a huge issue and one that the Trust needs to address urgently.
The Trust's website is here CLICKY. I need not pass comment on the state of it. Or some of the content. It needs a spring clean. Let's send in Mr Muscle.
You're jarred off that your season ticket's gone up at eighteen times the rate of inflation. You want to self harm because the online ticket thing has timed you out again. You might have a safety issue to raise, I don't know what your beef may be, but ask yourself this. What do you think is more likey to get results?
A boring 300 word letter...................... or sending in Roberts?
In conclusion my fellow Yids, I reckon if the a new chairman of the Trust can relate to us - we should be able to relate to the Trust.
And that, just for starters, has got to be a good idea.
BIOYC & A big thanks to Ben.
And this is good...http://www.oleole.com/blogs/the-darkside-of-the-ball
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The THST website is appalling in an age where sites are simple to create, web developers are 2 a penny, and decent web designers are almost as common.
In the same light as Spurs Odyssey (sorry), the poorly presented information simply enhances its image as a stuffy, old, out of touch organisation with no pathos with the Spurs fans.
The mission statement which was not particularly distinctive on the 'home page' says:
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust informal mission statement is :-
· To help THFC achieve constant and sustained success.
· To unite and represent all Spurs’ fans and to exercise their collective power.
· To improve communication and understanding between the Club and its supporters.
Question: Why the use of the word 'informal' to describe the mission statement? Its either a mission statement or not. Its like Graham Roberts saying he'd informally run through walls for Spurs. Ridiculous. It doesn't mean their mission is to do the following in jeans and t-shirts rater than 3 piece suits, it rather sounds like a casual 'am-I-bovered?' approach.
Fans rapport with the Chairman would be one thing. GR is ideal as you say HH. However, THST must also be seen, understood, and observed to complete actual deliverables.
BureaucraZy is a disease. Hides information so that an actual process is difficult to decipher - essentially hiding the fact that jobsworths get paid alot to be highly ineffective. You see it everywhere in business and as a consultant, I am appalled that its so prevalent whether in SME's, large international corporates or THST.
Transparency is the key. Everyone understanding what evertone else is supposed to deliver is another. Success is clear and observable delivery. Our club is well run as a business, the only flaw in my books is the lack of transparency on Comolli's set of deliverables.
Its time THST was more than a coma inducing negligible and actually did something. Harry's blog serves a more observable service than THST as it stands
Good news, Its always good to know that there is someone who truly loved the club involved in being the link between supporters and the board.
Of course Graham doesn't just love the club he's also a hero amongst the fans, which immediately gives him the respect he deserves.
Big things are expected of a man who once said -"I would run through brick walls for Spurs."
COYS
Just read this on the Board members section:
"Paul (Smith) is responsible for the creation and upkeep of the THST web site, which he intends to be dynamic, and a huge source of information for the membership of the THST, and of course, prospective members."
Paul Smith? Now that name sounds familiar and maybe why the websites share mote than a passing resemblance of outdated design? 
Reply to Trembly:
The THST website is appalling in an age where sites are simple to create, web developers are 2 a penny, and decent web designers are almost as common.
In the same light as Spurs Odyssey (sorry), the poorly presented information simply enhances its image as a stuffy, old, out of touch or...
Good stuff mate and not just for the kind words. You've hit a number of key points. Transparency is a good word. Not only have no areas where 'misunderstandings' can arrise but speak in palin bleedin' English in a clear voice and tell us what you're doing.
A dull website with mealy mouthed intentions equates to footshuffling and mumbles.
I bet the rent (landlord gets whiplash again) 99% of the good folk reading this today couldn't tell you two things thatthe Trust has ever done or indeed what it was supposed to do.
That's not a mickey take. It's a crying shame.
Spurs fans are notoriously vocal. They dominate the internet. And yet the very organisation that is supposed to representt their interests is clearly in trouble - read the departing Chair's letter and tell me otherwise - and operating off a website that could best be described as 'a bit dusty'.
Reply to Trembly:
Just read this on the Board members section:
"Paul (Smith) is responsible for the creation and upkeep of the THST web site, which he intends to be dynamic, and a huge source of information for the membership of the THST, and of course, prospective members."
Paul Smith? Now that...
I hadn't seen that.
No comment.
Reply to Trevor :
I have no idea about the Trust but if Graham Roberts was running it then it would get results and no one would abuse him will he got them.
Trev - thats the whole point. Having 'no idea' about what could be very useful bridge between fans and the club is something that many(most?) of us suffer from.
If they were clear about what they did and what they promise their members then, perhaps we would know exactly what it is that Graham Roberts would achieve as Chair. It might have also allowed us to have more sympathy rather than the reported antipathy for the departing Daniel Wynn?
but I loath the team and would laugh my tits off if they get trounced by the Croats! Come on Modric, run rings round the chokers! 
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COYS!
I have no idea about the Trust but if Graham Roberts was running it then it would get results and no one would abuse him will he got them.