Hundreds of Tottenham Hotspur supporters staged a demonstration on Sunday, April 6th, expressing anger towards the club’s ENIC ownership group and chairman Daniel Levy ahead of their Premier League match against Southampton. Chants of “We want Levy out” and “Daniel Levy, get out of our club” were prominent during the protest organised by the ‘Change For Tottenham’ fan group.
The demonstration reflects growing discontent among sections of the fanbase, despite the club boasting a state-of-the-art stadium. Frustrations centre on a 16-year trophy drought (since the 2008 League Cup), high ticket prices, a perceived focus on commercial activities over squad investment, and the team’s disappointing performance this season, which saw them start the day 16th in the table (Spurs subsequently won the match 3-1, moving to 13th).
Protesters carried flags stating “Time for change” and scarves reading “Enough is enough, Enic Out!”. Another banner read, “Built a business, killed a football club.” Mocking chants referenced the stadium hosting non-football events, with lines like “Can Beyonce play in defence?”
What are the core reasons behind these demonstrations?
The 16-Year Trophy Drought
This is arguably the most significant grievance. Spurs have not won a major trophy since the League Cup in 2008. For a club considered part of the Premier League’s “Big Six,” this lengthy barren spell is a major source of frustration, especially when compared to the successes of London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, and other top English clubs during the same period. Since ENIC, led by British businessman Joe Lewis with Levy as chairman, took control in 2001, that single League Cup remains their only major honour, despite reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
Perceived Lack of Ambition and Squad Investment
While ENIC has overseen significant commercial growth, protesters argue this hasn’t translated into sufficient investment in the playing squad to consistently challenge for top honours. Critics point to the sales of key players over the years – like Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and most recently, talisman Harry Kane – without securing like-for-like, world-class replacements. There’s a feeling that transfer windows have often been “reactive instead of proactive,” and analysis frequently shows Spurs’ net spend lagging behind their direct rivals, fuelling the perception that profit or stability is prioritized over winning trophies.
High Ticket Prices and Commercial Focus
The move to the impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 came with significantly increased ticket prices, now amongst the highest in the Premier League. Some long-term fans feel priced out. Furthermore, the club’s success in leveraging the stadium for non-football events (NFL games, concerts, boxing) fuels the belief among critics that these commercial ventures take precedence over building a title-winning football team. Slogans like “Built a business, killed a football club” encapsulate this sentiment.
Managerial Instability
Since Mauricio Pochettino guided the club to the Champions League final in 2019, Spurs have seen a revolving door of managers, including high-profile names like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, as well as Nuno Espírito Santo and current boss Ange Postecoglou. This lack of stability is seen as detrimental to building a long-term footballing identity and developing players. Conte’s acrimonious departure, during which he publicly criticised the club’s culture, further inflamed fan concerns.
The Ownership Model vs. Fan Expectation
At its heart, the conflict stems from differing views on the club’s primary objective. Fans, particularly after enduring the long trophy drought, crave silverware and consistent challenges at the highest level. The club and Levy, however, often emphasize a “sustainable” financial model, responsible spending within Financial Fair Play rules, investment in infrastructure (stadium, training ground), and regular European qualification (though not always Champions League) as markers of success. Levy has explicitly stated the club “cannot spend what we do not have.”
As of early April 2025, the protests reflect a fundamental clash between a fanbase desperate for trophies and an ownership group focused on a model balancing commercial growth with financial prudence. While Tottenham remain in the Europa League, offering a potential route to silverware and Champions League qualification this season, the underlying tensions regarding investment, ambition, and the long wait for glory are likely to persist unless on-field success significantly improves or the ownership’s approach visibly changes.
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