With plenty of criticism aimed at Tottenham Hotspur for their decision to furlough non-playing staff the other week, earlier today the club did the right thing in the eyes of many, and walked back that decision.
Whilst sadly there was an air of ‘poor us’ to the statement released this afternoon by chairman Daniel Levy, his words were spot on in many ways.
“The criticism the Club has received over the last week has been felt all the more keenly because of our track record of good works and our huge sense of responsibility to care for those that rely on us, particularly locally. It was never our intent, as custodians, to do anything other than put measures in place to protect jobs whilst the Club sought to continue to operate in a self-sufficient manner during uncertain times. We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their Club.”
With the club also revealing details of how we have stepped up our work to help the NHS, on top of what we had already done, such as the ‘pitch pocket’ being used as a distribution hub for London Food Alliance, our new White Hart Lane Stadium is certainly going to see some use as we’ve repurposed areas to house the North Middlesex Hospital’s Women’s Outpatient Services.
Here’s the detailed plan of how we are transforming our stadium facilities for @NorthMidNHS. pic.twitter.com/qjpxtLOUaG
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 13, 2020
For obvious reasons, this move will lighten the load significantly for a few reasons. Not only does it open up extra space at the hospital for those with Covid symptoms, but it also helps better isolate the expectant mothers.
The full details of our commitment to help and play our part as a club are on the above link, and with our Foundation continuing their own work, we’ve even played our part in the creation and delivery of new face shields given the link with Highgate School and become the first Premier League club to use our ground for drive through testing of NHS staff and their families.
The furlough decision understandably caused some consternation, but the overall club reaction here should definitely be applauded and leave fans proud.
so generous.What a contribution!!
— chris Ishmael (@Ishmaelsenior) April 13, 2020
Finally. Well done on supporting the hospital, to be fair the NFL changing rooms alone are big enough for a small ward each
— Dean S.W (@Deano4x8) April 13, 2020
Well done. Never too late. You could improve your work and public relations no end by working closer with @THSTOfficial and listening to them much more. They are a free resource for you to know what the vast majority of fans think and want. Please use them more.
— Richard Beards (@RichardBeards) April 13, 2020
Well done Tottenham now I feel proud
— Dan (@DanSmith1984) April 13, 2020
Excellent
— Susan (@suelfox) April 13, 2020
There we go. Well done.
— Joe (@Broxspurs) April 13, 2020
Good move by the club and well done to the
supporters who pushed those in
charge to do the right thing #HumanityFirst— Raj D Purohit (@rajrealestate) April 13, 2020
👏👏👏Well done, excellent use of the stadium and underground parking area being used for food distribution👏👏👏
— Spurred On (@dianelaw47) April 13, 2020
This is outstanding well done to everyone involved.
— (((Don_ THFC))) (@Dnannery) April 13, 2020
This is top class. Well done!!
— Daniel Sandford (@djs2706) April 13, 2020
What Spurs are doing behind the scenes is quite remarkable. My respect goes to the individual concerned who came up with this (and other) ideas, endorsed by Levy. 👏👏
— Phil (@bilks) April 13, 2020
love my club. Huge respect for doing this.
— Toby Benjamin (@Toby_J_Benjamin) April 13, 2020
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Have Your Say: “All In This Together” – Spurs Fan Doubts That As The Furlough Fallout Continues