Avoiding the Drop

With the news this week that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has submitted a planning application for a new 56,000 seat stadium, I talked to my Dad about this development.  I asked him if I could record the call so that I could present it here, and he agreed.  The background here is that my Dad has been a Spurs season ticket holder for 45 years now and reckons he’s seen thousands of matches in the famous North London venue.

The transcript:

Me:  Dad, I wanted to ask you about the talk finally getting underway about the new White Hart Lane.

Dad:  Well, of course we’ve been hearing rumours that it’s about to start happening.  They’ve been sort of clearing the area up around the stadium lately to show it off, so we began to suspect that something was in the works.

Me:  How do you feel about it?  Is it time for a new stadium?

Dad:  Yeah, it probably is, but honestly, I’m not going to a new stadium.  I’ll turn in my tickets the day it opens.  I’m used to the Lane and anything new just won’t feel proper to me.

Me:  Well, you can see why it would benefit the area and certainly help Spurs out globally.  Also, with England’s attempt to get the World Cup, it would be another potential venue for that as well.

Dad:  I understand all that, and believe me, anything that makes this area a bit nicer is okay by me.  I couldn’t give a toss if the World Cup comes to England, honestly, and I certainly don’t want that in my backyard.  However, yes, in terms of what you said about it helping Spurs, well it may help a bit.  Your lot haven’t benefited from that new palace down the road (NOTE:  He means Arsenal.  They are “my lot”).  The atmosphere is gone, no players are enthralled with playing there, the supporters are too far from the pitch, you know.

Me:  Well, yes.  It’s no Highbury, but it is a beautiful place.

Dad:  Why does a football pitch need to be beautiful?  It’s a football pitch surrounded by stands.  I do like the idea of a single tier of stands, I’ve said that all along.  However, I don’t need aesthetics in my football stadium.  I need a good side to watch, a good crowd to watch it with and a short walk home.  Other than that, I’m not fussed.

Me:  Don’t you think this might be the start of an upswing for Spurs, though?  Clearly Harry has them pointed in the right direction.

Dad:  They are out every night in the pubs, believe me, we hear about it.  Yeah, they’ve won some matches to start the season but last week was rubbish and now they have your lot this Saturday.  It’s a huge match.

Me:  I know, believe me.  I hate this week more than any other.

Dad:  I know.  You DO love Spurs whether or not you want to admit, but go on, cast your lot with that Frenchman’s rubbish beautiful football.  Pathetic.

Me:  Let’s talk about the stadium more, please.

Dad:  Fine.

Me:  You wouldn’t even want to give it a try?  You wouldn’t want to at least be there to see it open?

Dad:  No.  I’ve done my time with Spurs, it’s been coming to an end for quite some time.  Your mum is on my mind all the time during the matches anyway and now we’ve got this telly setup, I can see what I need to see.  I won’t tarnish my memories with a new place.  I love the Lane.  Pure and simple.  I don’t want to go to a new place where my angle is different and there’s no atmosphere.

Me:  I understand, Dad, believe me.  You have to admit though, Levy ultimately has been good for the club.

Dad:  I’ve never said otherwise.  He’s bought, he’s tried to win, he’s fought and fought to get us a good manager, and I think ultimately he’s done well.  This new stadium, though, that’s just business.

Me:  But the club will benefit from it.

Dad:  Maybe so, but without me.

Me:  I understand, Dad.  Can we talk about the match this weekend?

Dad:  No.  I can’t talk about it, and you shouldn’t.  We’ll sort it out next week.

Me:  Okay.  Can I ask you something else?

Dad:  What?

Me:  How would you feel if I was there for when it opens?

Dad:  I don’t know, I’d have to think about that.  We’d have to discuss it.

Me:  Okay, we’ll discuss it.  Smile Dad, it’s almost here.

Dad:  Eh, that lot.  I hope we win 15-0.  I cannot stand them.

Me:  I know Dad, I know.