Apologies, it's been a while since I have found the time to sit down and write.
The question of Spurs' move to the Olympic site at Stratford (hence the horrific titular pun - it's not even the same Stratford...) is weighing heavily on the minds of London's footballing population. Almost every day, the pages of the Evening Standard are plastered with the latest opinion of some sporting dignitary or other, or Karren Brady, regarding the battle between Spurs and West Ham for the dubious honour of being named the 'preferred bidder' for the 2012 site. The idea that the capital's balance of football power may be in the process of being re-shaped has fans across the city up in arms. West Ham are understandably furious at the idea of the Yid Army moving onto their turf (something which we ourselves have experienced in the past with the Gooners), and one might spare a moment to consider the possibility of a new wave of fan violence if the move were to go ahead.
As is the case with a vast number of Spurs fans, I am loath to imagine the possibility of us abandoning our beloved White Hart Lane. While I personally have no links to Tottenham or Haringey beyond the club, I am keenly aware that it is an inherent part of our identity, that decades of history have cemented White Hart Lane and N17 in Tottenham folklore, to the extent that to leave it behind would be to lose part of the club's soul. Even the Northumberland Park Project, our original attempt to redevelop WHL, would usher in a new and separate era, but at least the club would remain in its rightful postcode. The possibility that a move to Stratford could also be accompanied by a change of name (while unlikely), is arguably the factor that is angering Spurs fans the most.
Yet, financial considerations, however void of emotion they may be, must realistically be the foundation of the final decision. WHL, with its potential capacity of 36,000 or so, is simply not enough of a money-maker for a club with our current level of ambition. Combine this with UEFA legislation that states that clubs playing in European competitions will only be permitted to spend what they earn, and there can be no denying that the impact on our ability to continue growing as a club, and to compete with the other leading teams both domestically and in Europe, will be severely impaired without a new stadium. The Northumberland Park Project is wrought with difficulty, as planning permission remains elusive, and the total cost of the project would be around £200 million higher than that of the proposed Olympic move. The knock-on effect of that extra £200 million on our potential transfer budget would surely also have an impact on the club's ability to attract the best players and compete with our rivals at the top of the Premier League in the short-term.
The thought of leaving WHL is truly heart-wrenching, but I personally hope that we are at least chosen as the preferred bidder to take over the Olympic site. Daniel Levy has promised fans that, this being the case, he will then consult them before making the club's final decision, but I think it is important that, at this stage, that plan remains an option. These next few weeks will be some of the most important in the club's history, and it seems that the choice, while almost impossible, boils down to three simple words: Past or Future? Time is fast running out for a solution that will allow us to safeguard both of these interests...
