TOPSPURS - Jim Duggan's Spurs Site

Jim Duggan's TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR site

21 days to go and the point of all the plotting and campaigning will, at last, be seen around the world. Yes, around the world. Premier League football has a massive global TV audience and the advance publicity that the MoC is now gaining will ensure that our message to Campbell will be a famous event……

Dear Reader, just in case this your first contact with the MoC, here's a brief synopsis of what it's all about.

After 2 years of deceit and prevarication, and a pay offer that was by far the biggest in the history of the English game, Sol Campbell walked away from WHL when his contract expired. He claimed that he needed to be playing in a higher level of competition than Spurs could provide and a grudging understanding of that ambition had to be acknowledged.

However, Sol didn't head north west to Liverpool. In fact, he had an appointment for talks with Gerard Houllier, but he didn't turn up. Sol didn't head for the airport and get on a flight to Barcelona, Madrid or Milan where Barca, Real and Inter were courting his services. He wanted to stay in London, severely limiting his choice of new club. Although they weren't in the Champions League, surely Sol would head for Fulham Road and join Papa Smurf's rag-tag collection of clapped-out mercenaries.

No! None of the above. Sol did the unthinkable. He turned left out of Bill Nicholson way, besmirching the Spurs legend which the short road is name after and undertook the short journey to Avenal Road, London N5. After talking of the club he loved, the fans who he had a special relationship with and throwing out the question, "Why would I leave Spurs?" Sulzeer Campbell went and signed for Arsenal Football Club.

All this was done after Sol joined his team mates in a lap of honour around The Lane when he took the applause of 36,000 adoring fans at the end of last season, and at a time when he surely knew that he was leaving us. The least he could have done was to have had the decency to stay out of the arena. No, Campbell actually walked around the pitch with Ledley King, a young lad who is, without doubt, a better all round player than Sol. We can only pray that Ledley emulates and surpasses Sol on the field and totally ignores his obnoxious attitude to the club off of it.

Off of the top of my head, I recollect running two X 3 page feedback sections per week over a period of 3 weeks and a conservative estimate is that Spurs fans wrote nearly 20,000 words of condemnation of his actions on FTT/Spurs alone. It was hardly surprising to learn that similar levels of the same type of feedback were arriving at other Spurs websites and fanzines. And that's without what the National press, TV and Radio organisations were receiving.

That, my fellow Spurs fans, is why FTT/Spurs along with spursodyssey.co.uk, thfclatest.com, spursonline.co.uk, mehstg.co.uk, topspurs.com, CaDD and OFOSH have all been asking you to join in The Minute of Contempt for the last few weeks.

Clearly, Spurs fans felt very strongly about Campbell's actions of the last two years and his final treacherous act. Well folks, the time for talking is over and it's time to put your sense of betrayal into tangible action – To put your money where your mouth is, as it were.

The idea of the MoC was first brought to my attention by regular writer, Brutal. He gave us the bare bones of the protest and between us, we've now added the flesh. Full details will follow, but first, a few words from the man who converted me from a humble website editor into a conspirator in this plot. Here's Brutal's message:

"I'd just like to say that when the Minute of Contempt campaign started I never imagined that it would grow so big and so fast, the fact that it has done so on the net, in the press, and on the airwaves is great credit to Lee and all his sterling efforts, joined by Ad for his fine work on TalkSport and finally, but by no means least, all of you loyal supporters who have spread the word.

We're certainly on a roll with this one and now the final details are being released we need to push the message home in the run up to the match to get as big a participation as possible.

As you surf around the net you'll come across the odd Gooner and the really odd Gooner and they are clearly confused and panicking - we've got them on the run folks.

I'm still hearing a few doubts from our own side who are worried that during the silence, the Gooners will have the freedom to chant away unopposed, well I say good!

Their high pitched wails will be shown to be the pathetic thing they are when the silence ends and our 90% of the stadium sends out a roar, the like of which even WHL has seldom heard before. The contrast will be stunning and should light the touch paper to an atmosphere that will carry our players on to a famous victory.

The eyes of the world are on us now people, let's show them what Spurs people are made of, ordinary people who with a show of unity can pull off an extraordinary event.

In recent weeks, the MoC has started to get noticed in the mainstream media. It has had significant coverage in The Mirror, The Star and The Guardian. Celebrity Spurs fan Richard Littlejohn is very much in favour of the MoC and he's given it air time on 606 already, and has promised to do so again before November 17. The latest national radio station to notice the MoC is the very well listened to TalkSport Radio. Earlier this week, they contacted FTT's Ad Powley to find out what it's all about. Ad told us:

"Thanks to the efforts of a Lee at FTT and the generous help of people at other sites supporting the MoC, the campaign has been receiving plenty of publicity. This week, for example, we were featured on TalkSport Radio. A question had been posed on Richard Kaufmann's afternoon programme asking what Tottenham fans would be doing to mark Campbell's return, and there were subsequent calls from a couple of listeners mentioning the MoC.

TalkSport contacted us and we were able to outline the plans and clarify what the aims of the MoC were. While our performance on national radio won't exactly have Nicky Campbell worrying about his job security, we were grateful for the opportunity to confirm the fundamental aims of the MoC: it will provide Tottenham fans an opportunity to express their anger at Campbell's behaviour in a dignified and responsible manner.

Our thanks to Richard Kaufmann and those at TalkSport for giving us the chance to have our say."

Before the order of events are revealed, let's put a few misconceptions of the protest to bed.

Under no circumstances will the MoC commence or finish during the match. It will take place BEFORE the kick off!

While chatting earlier this week to fellow editor Wyart Lane (MEHSTG), he told me that he'd received an email which went along the lines of; "How dare you be so arrogant as to TELL Spurs fans what to do!"

What errant nonsense! Let's be very clear here folks. Nobody is telling anybody what to do. A collective of Spurs editors have been sent what we perceive to be a great idea and we are REQUESTING your support and participation. While we would be delighted if every single Spurs fan takes part in the MoC, this is an INVITATION to join in the fun, and like an invitation to any event, you have the right of refusal.

Many fans have expressed a preference for giving Campbell verbal grief throughout the match. Fine, if that's what they feel is called for, who he hell are we to tell them to do otherwise? My personal feeling is, by performing the organised protest, the point will be made in a dignified manner before the game gets under way. But, once the match is started, surely we owe it to Glenn and the team to support THEM in a positive way and maybe it would be best if we wait until Campbell is actually involved and on the ball before we give him a right, royal volley of abuse. I stress, that's my personal feelings and is merely a SUGGESTION (Not an order fer chrissakes!!!)

Last but not least. Following Campbell's somewhat controversial choice of clubs, there was some very nasty, X-rated stuff going around about what fate should befall the man. An effigy of Campbell was hung on the gates of WHL and various threats of violence and acts of harassment of Campbell have ensued. All participating websites and fanzines in the MoC campaign totally deplore these threats and actions and we completely dissociate ourselves from them.

Yes, we are inciting an action with this campaign – We're inciting over 30,000 Spurs fans to stand up, turn their backs on the pitch and to remain silent for 60 seconds – In other words, we're inciting you to do nothing for one minute. All of which is absolutely legal and does not infringe any rules or regulations which are stated within the conditions of our attendance at The Lane.

If you're at The Lane for the Boro match, you should see people handing out flyers about the MoC. I'm afraid that the supply is limited, but if you know any Spurs fans that are not online or who don't buy the various fanzines, get hold of one and make sure that your mates get one. If you know all about the MoC, be nice and say hello to the distributors anyway, and let them know what you reckon of the whole thing. In any event, word is spreading far and wide and it looks like there will be widespread support for the MoC – but don't rest just yet – keep talking about it and let's all do out bit to make sure it works.

Much pondering has gone into when the ideal time would be, and in truth, there is no answer to that – it's more a case of the lesser of a few evils.

When the teams come out to warm up? No good, the stadium is less than half full at that point.

When the skippers are called together for the handshakes and toss up? Getting better.

When the announcer reads Campbell's name? Absolutely useless. The teams are read in squad number order, and as Campbell's number is 23, it will be almost the last name to be read out and this will mean that the silence will extend into the reading of the Spurs team. We have no wish to receive our lads in stony silence. In fact, we want to welcome our own with the loudest cheer The Lane has ever heard.

Another 'objection' has been raised by quite a few Spurs fans. While we're all standing there, backs turned to him and keeping schtum, the Gooners will be making a fair bit of noise. Well, so bloody what? As Brutal said above, the moment the MoC is over, we'll easily drown them out, so let 'em scream their heads off. It doesn't matter!

Right. Final decision. The Minute of Contempt will commence when the ref calls the captains to the centre circle. The ref usually blows his whistle to gain the attention of the skippers. Listen out for that, and in addition, I will also be blowing a whistle myself.

At that point, rise from your seats, turn your backs on the pitch and remain silent while the 60 seconds count down. I've also received a very good suggestion that we bring along white handkerchiefs (a la displeased Barcelona fans). I fully endorse this suggestion and I will be doing exactly that.

At the end of the Minute, I will blow my whistle again, at which point, we should be hearing the Spurs lads announced. That's the time to raise a cheer that will blow the f***ing roof off of The Lane. A further reminder to Him that he turned his back on a divided club, but we're now all together behind the dawn of a new era for Super Spurs.

TOPSPURS

Jim Duggan's TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR site

In conjunction with Lee Benjamin (Spurs FTT) - TOPSPURS will be supportingthe Minute of contempt for RSOL - A dignified gesture of our feelings towards the greatest act of football treachery

	My own personal thoughts are that this is worth doing as a gesture (assuming shithead turns up), but that it should be followed by non-stop singing of "Campbell is a wanker" and the Ledley King song (with of course plently of Glenn Hoddle's Blue and White Army).
The idea was born out of the disbelief at the treachary of the bastard in the days immediately after the 3rd July - but as the summer has gone on and the season has progressed the feeling has changed to fuck him - he's the one missing out as Spurs are on the up - perfectly captured by the Ledley King song. Like I say there is room for both. Jim Duggan (30/9/01)

At the end of last season, one single story all but dominated FTT/Spurs, and indeed most other sources of football news, for a staggering, fifteen days. It was Sulzeer Campbell leaving Spurs And then, he signed for THEM. Football fans are famed for their long memories, which is why FTT/Spurs mention this topic now?

Working the somewhat strange hours that I do, I was unfortunate to be in front of the TV when the midday Arsenal press conference, that was thought to be about the signing of Richard Wright commenced. There was the usual scene of a table, bristling with microphones, in front of the backdrop of the various club sponsors¹ logos. I could also hear the muted chat of the journo¹s as they waited for Arsene Wenger and his new player to make their entrance. I¹ve seen a lot of strange things in my life, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight of Arsene Wenger appearing on screen, closely followed by Sol Campbell, grinning like the cat that got the cream.

People outside of the world of football (and many within it) couldn¹t understand what all the ensuing fuss about Campbell¹s change of club was about. I guess that only a Spurs or Arsenal fan could really understand the depth of feeling that this bombshell had stirred up. Although, that¹s not doing justice to Man U fans who saw the brilliant Dennis Law move to Maine Road, and then score Man City¹s goal which relegated The Reds.

However, we digress. So, a fair time after the dust has settled on this sad part of our history, why bring this topic up now?

A short time after the story broke, there was a lot of well-deserved anger directed at Campbell. Some of this anger went way over the top, with the much publicised hanging of an effigy of Sol on the gates of WHL and also, the threats of violence against him. Let¹s call this like it is While it¹s absolutely right for Spurs fans to feel betrayed, let down and downright pissed-off at Campbell¹s crossing of the North London Divide, the moral high ground and the arguments of the more reasonable among us, the offended party, was taken away by the mindless morons who went too far.

The FTT/Spurs mail server went into hyper-drive, with the volume of traffic coming into it; some which was racist and inciting violence, and which was immediately deleted. As editor, and more importantly, as a rational human being, I loath and detest the extreme minority of so called football fans who would even think about some of the comments that I received let alone actually put them in writing and send them to a Spurs website.

Suddenly, out of this vast range of comment, from the sensibly angry to the stark, raving lunatic opinions, an email arrived from Brutal which screamed at me, "This is absolute genius and we¹ve got to get this thing off the ground!"

"At our game against Arsenal at WHL, on November 17, as the teams come out you may well recognise a familiar face , although you may find it hard to associate it with the shirt beneath it.

You may also, well remember a long line of statements issued over the last two years by that same face, proclaiming his love of Spurs and yourselves and his desire to take our club back to the heights it once comfortably scaled. You may well reflect on how it had a funny way of showing it.

Over the last few years if there is one player that Spurs fans have given their unquestioning support to, it was Sol Campbell, He lived our dream from supporter to player to our captain who held a trophy aloft at Wembley Stadium.

When he went through the odd rocky spell, we supported him and turned a deaf ear to the critics because he was our much loved and favoured son. When he said he would be staying, we believed him - even when, time after time, he failed to sit down and talk. Even when it was finally announced that he would be leaving the club, many of us wished him well, and at least half understood when he said at his age he couldn¹t wait for the club to rebuild and had to join a club that was chasing the big prizes.

To most of us Spurs fans who really love the club, we would rather play on Hackney Marshes than don that red and white shirt and an act of such duplicity, in the way it was carried out is beyond most peoples comprehension. Just as the ruling under which he left will forever be known as a Bosman, after the man who initiated it, so will a person who lies through their teeth before stabbing you in the back, be known as doing a ŒCampbell¹ - and not just at this club, but universally.

So, how should we mark his return to The Lane? How do we best greet this person who turned his back in contempt on those who nurtured and revered him?

It is hoped that in a show of unity amongst us fans at the universal contempt in which this man is now held, that we can come together and show the world that we can register our protest in a peaceful, lawful and above all, dignified manner.

It is proposed that at a given signal (we¹re still working on that aspect, but all will be revealed), we turn our backs to the pitch, symbolically turning our backs on Campbell as he did on us, we should then observe a one minute silence for the death of decency, truth and the loss of a person we once held close to our hearts. We hope that if every Spurs fan present can join in The Minute Of Contempt.

It will send out a unique message that will surely be seen and spoke of around the world and it will bring home to Campbell the enormity of his deceit, while at the same time, giving the media no excuse to portray Spurs fans as mindless morons.

We are Tottenham Hotspur FC, we will overcome his sad betrayal and we will still be a great club when Sol Campbell is just a sad memory.

Brutal concluded his message by asking me if I felt that his suggestion was a good one and whether FTT/Spurs would support it and enlist the help of other Spurs websites and fanzines to spread the word. I thought about it for about 2 seconds and concluded that this was indeed, an excellent plan - Protest with Dignity and no opportunity for the media to slag us off. (Well, they can always try, but it would be groundless)

Without further delay, I replied to Brutal, praising him for his excellent idea and confirmed that I would begin contacting my fellow editors for their support. This was duly done and the campaign is officially launched today.

A word of explanation is due as to why September 29 is the chosen launch date for and event which will not take place until November 17. There¹s two very good reasons for this. The printed version of MEHSTG comes out today, and their next issue is on the actual day in question. Clearly, it would be pretty pointless putting the word about, on the day of the match and as Wyart Lane at MEHSTG has given The Minute Of Contempt his unreserved support, it was right and proper that the rest of us fell in line with his publication dates.

The other very good reason is that there¹s now plenty of time for those who read this to tell their mates of the news. Not everyone is online and not everyone buys the various fanzines, so, dear reader, your help in putting this about via word of mouth is vital.

What¹s the bottom line? Obviously, I hope very much that all Spurs fans feel that Brutal¹s idea is worthy of us actually carrying out the plan at WHL in November. I certainly do, and it has FTT/Spurs gold seal of approval and our utmost support. If, like me, you feel that it¹s great idea and you would wish to participate in the show of contempt for a man who spat in our faces, please start telling your mates now. And ask them to tell, their mates, and so on. Just imagine a full house at The Lane, all turning their back Judas, in total silence and registering their feelings towards him and doing so with total dignity.

FTT/Spurs and other websites will send out occasional reminders as the clock runs down towards the Arsenal match and we will also advise you of the signal which will commence the protest. OK my friends, you know the plot. Now, please make sure that word gets around to all who will be at WHL when/IF, he comes back in a red shirt.

Last, but by no means least, I want to send the biggest possible vote of thanks to the following Spurs website/fanzine editors, who despite some reservations, decided that the new unity between us Spurs fans was the overriding factor in them offering this campaign their support.