Has the Tottenham stadium lived up to expectations?

Has the Tottenham stadium lived up to expectations?

By Don Scully

That depends on who you ask. Tottenham has one of the best stadiums in the world. Its new state of the art stadium is an architectural masterpiece.

Once we moved into the new stadium, the prices went up, at the same time their waiting list increased (both in season tickets and the Premium area). But as long as there is a waiting list Daniel Levy will not worry about any dissatisfaction about overpricing. Nevertheless, what niggles fans is that even though we have a great stadium, we have a mediocre team to go with it; nearly the bride's maid, never the bride. Many see Daniel Levy's penny pinching, where the team is concerned, is because he is focusing on other areas; such as American football, concerts, boxing etc.

Atmosphere

Even though the stadium is much bigger than the old one, some complain that the atmosphere hasn't been comparable to WHL. Some have pointed the finger at the number of tourists that it attracts. Some have even argued that that isn't surprising (atmosphere) as the fans haven't got anything really to shout about (on the field). Maybe that will change, but one thing is for sure; the old stadium is no longer, it is a dead parrot, now we must move on and make the new stadium our home.

Standing

Some have suggested that the lack of atmosphere could have something to do with  "no standing areas". But fans still stand anyway, and the authorities, at least in some cases, ignore it. And Tottenham does have safe standing areas; technically not in use, but used anyway.

Friends of mine who go to all the away matches (some have disabilities) have a mixed response over standing. Some want to stand out of tradition; others find it uncomfortable because of either age, disability or that they just prefer sitting. The club doesn't help itself by mixing people and telling them that there is no standing and then ignores supporters complaints; either for standing or against it. 

Food facilities.

Food facilities, either in Premium or just for the GAs (General Admission)  is one of the best in the UK and throughout the world; saying that I've heard one or two complaints. But then you are always going to get that.

Their beer is made on site. They can pour 69 pints per minute. Glasses are placed on a metal plate and filled from a hole in the bottom, which is then sealed using a magnet. Bar staff are then free to take payments from customers while drinks are being poured. The stadium is also wholly cashless.

Toilets and TV screens.

Over 25,000 more people are going to the new stadium (compared to WHL). However, the new stadium's punters can enjoy 471 toilets, 84-per-cent for female use with 773 urinals.

The punters can also enjoy watching 1,800 HD TV's around the stadium concourse.

Staff

I have found the staff around the stadium very friendly and always helpful. Those that I know in the upper echelons of the stadium say that the Premium staff give an excellent service and are very friendly, but then again, that is what you are paying for. It is all to do with a sliding scale. The more money you direct Tottenham’s way, the bigger the area of ones butt they will kiss.

The same goes for their shop. Their staff are always friendly, and they stock basically what any Spurs supporter could want. The Spurs Shop is one of the biggest in Europe.

Security.

I do find that there is a disconnect with some of their security personal. To some, it is just a job; others are dedicated stadium staff that have a connection (or you feel that there is a connection). You can see which is which by the way they connect with you. Since the stadium has been operational, I have made many friends and chat to a lot of their security, while some are just Jobworths and enjoy lording it over others (which I have witnessed).

Seating.

Talking to others (season ticket holders and Premium members) the chief complaint is that Tottenham mix supporters (real supporters) with tourists and this causes hostility and also effects the atmosphere. On match days I am usually engaged in my duties, but at the beginning of this season we had a friendly, and I had a day off, so I took the other half to the match (Premium). Where we sat there were mostly tourists; where Spurs supporters would stand up and cheer a goal, they, the tourists, just sat there like dummies. It killed the mood. There are large chunks of seating that have tourists, business people and away supporters—all creating an unsavoury setting.

But the bottom line is that unless there is a success on the field, it will affect the whole stadium. It could come to the point that once the novelty has worn off (going to the stadium), the enthusiasm for going will deteriorate if the team deteriorates. Fans will moan about price rises, but if that doesn't' correspond with success on the field, then Daniel Leavy could end up having a football turkey on his hands, while the other parts prosper.

No doubt that the stadium has become a roaring success, just not on the soccer field. We have a midtable team, and I can't see that changing any day soon.

Overall it is a money-making machine, a luxury stadium that can multi-task, but all this will come at a price. The more you can pay the more services you will get. The bigger the waiting list, the more those at the bottom of the pyramid will be squeezed out. But that is capitalism for you. I do not doubt that eventually this wealth will flow outwards and push the more unfortunate residents further out from their surroundings, making way for the more affluent client. New and more luxurious apartments will pop up around Tottenham, eventually making it one of the most affluent areas in London. Luxury shopping Plazas will replace the poor man’s shops. How long before this transformation will take place? Only those with the cut and paste tools know, but rest assured nobody who pulls the strings of the Emerald Greenstone arena at the heart of impecuniousness will allow time to stand still and effect their spoils.

Football/ the Tottenham stadium, the area, is going to change over the years. What we knew as football when we grew up will irrevocably be gone. Tottenham will enter a new phase of its development. It won’t be to everybody’s taste, but the new recruits to the cause will end up not knowing anything other than what they are faced with. Us old dinosaurs will eventually fade into the ground (i.e. death), and the cycle will continue to infinity. But Tottenham stadium will live on, in one guise or another.