A sign of the times

CHARLIE Whelan is clearly writing from the heart when he criticises out of hand the red Thomson logo on our home shirts.

He knows that football, while always a passionate game in reality and debate, must now think from the head at a time when money is the foundation to all our aspirations.

The sponsorship market is the softest it has been for many seasons.

Nine Premiership clubs will be looking for new sponsorship deals at the end of this season. Not all will be fortunate. These deals are few and far between and to win them clubs have to demonstrate that they can work with the companies, support their commercial objectives and have the professionals within to do this.

The Thomson deal is an excellent one. I wanted a good financial injection for the club, a company with a premier brand, a commercial partner to drive extra revenue into the club and a sponsor that allowed us to give something back to our loyal fans and their families. We have that.

Let there be no doubt that Tottenham Hotspur is currently run by people who love the club and its heritage.

I spoke to Glenn Hoddle at the time we signed with Thomson. They don't come more steeped in the ethos, style and tradition of Spurs than Glenn. His reaction? Clear-cut.

"Great. Let's have another look at my wish-list of players!"

David Pleat, our respected and experienced director of football, is also determined to make our academy the best in the Premiership. And that takes money.

I honestly feel that when supporters actually see our new Kappa kit, they will love the style - it remains very much a traditional Spurs strip.

In closing, I could point to the fact that other clubs are happy to have kits in 'hated' colours (for example Arsenal's blue logo on their away shirts along with blue shorts).

But this is about Tottenham and about what we want to do.

I am confident that, on reflection, all loyal Spurs fans will get behind the club.

Copyright 2002
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