On Sunday, February 18, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur fans made their voices heard in a passionate protest against the club’s owners, Daniel Levy and ENIC. Despite a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, thanks to a brilliant goal from James Madison, the day’s focus shifted away from the pitch and onto the stands, streets, and concourses of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Thousands of Spurs supporters took to the streets before the game and stayed back after to protest the club’s ownership and their perceived mismanagement.
The Origins of the Protest
This protest was sparked by “Change for Tottenham,” a fan organization dedicated to addressing what they see as the growing issues within the club. In a statement released ahead of the protest, the organization expressed their concerns about the direction Tottenham Hotspur has taken under ENIC’s ownership. The statement read, “This protest is about passion, pride, and protecting our club from greed-driven failure. ENIC has profited immensely from Tottenham Hotspur while neglecting their responsibility as true custodians of our great club.”
A Peaceful Demonstration
The protest, which was planned to begin at 2:45 PM with a march scheduled for 3 PM, had a clear and peaceful agenda. Fans were urged to gather at the crossroads of Lordship Lane and High Road before marching to the West Stand of the stadium. The marchers were told to maintain respect for all attendees, including families and people with disabilities, and to avoid aggressive behavior or abusive chanting. The emphasis was on creating a positive, party-like atmosphere with fans encouraged to bring their own flags and banners.
Protest at the Stadium
Once the march concluded, the protest moved to the stadium itself. Fans met at Entrance 253 and the South Stand concourse at 3:45 PM, where they continued to voice their dissatisfaction pre-match. The organizers stressed that, win or lose, the protest would continue with a show of appreciation for the players’ efforts on the pitch. Luckily for the protesting fans, Tottenham won 1-0, but the protest did not end there. After the final whistle, the sit-in protest began. Fans remained in the stands, gathered in the South Stand lower, to make it clear to the board that “enough is enough.”
Global Fanbase Joins the Cause
This protest wasn’t limited to those physically present at the stadium. Tottenham Hotspur boasts a dedicated and loyal fanbase around the world, and “Change for Tottenham” called on fans from all corners of the globe to support the cause. International supporters from countries like India, Nepal, South America, Ireland, Africa, and Australia joined the movement, sharing the protest message on social media and even printing flyers from the club’s official website to show their solidarity.
The Messages Behind the Protest
Prominent banners displayed at the protest included powerful messages such as “Time for Change” and “24 years, 16 managers, one trophy—time for change.” Fans also held up signs with the slogan, “Our game is about glory, Levy’s game is about greed,” chanting “Daniel Levy, get out of my club!” throughout the demonstration. This was a clear indication that the fans were not just dissatisfied with the footballing direction of the club but were also fed up with the financial priorities of the ownership.
What Led to the Protest?
Now, you might be wondering, why did this protest happen? What led to this passionate outpouring of frustration? Who exactly is “Change for Tottenham,” and what is the root cause of their anger toward Daniel Levy and ENIC? In the following sections of the blog, we’ll dive deeper into the origins of the “Change for Tottenham” movement, examine Daniel Levy’s leadership, explore the role of ENIC, and unpack why so many Tottenham fans feel that their club is being mismanaged.
Stay tuned as we answer all these questions and explore the ongoing situation at Tottenham Hotspur.
Who Are “Change for Tottenham”?
Change for Tottenham (CFT) is a passionate and dedicated platform that has emerged as the voice for Tottenham Hotspur fans around the world. It represents the collective desire of Spurs supporters to create meaningful change within the club, particularly focusing on the footballing side of the operation.
At its core, CFT aims to represent the diverse and loyal fanbase of Tottenham Hotspur—those who walk through the turnstiles week after week, those who follow the team from distant corners of the globe, and those who make long journeys across the country to cheer for their beloved Spurs. Essentially, Change for Tottenham is a voice for every fan who has Tottenham Hotspur in their blood.
A Unified Voice for Spurs Fans
The purpose of CFT is simple: to unite Spurs supporters with a shared vision for the future of the club. The group recognizes the passion, dedication, and generational love that fans have for Tottenham Hotspur. Their mission is to harness that energy and direct it toward positive change. They believe that no significant change can happen without the full backing and involvement of Tottenham fans, and they’ve made it clear that they cannot achieve their goals without the support of the Spurs community.
Change for Tottenham is not just about airing grievances—it’s about fostering productive dialogue and working towards a future where the club prioritizes success on the pitch as much as it does off it. This means ensuring that the footballing side of the club, including the management and strategic planning, aligns with the club’s ambitions for on-field success.
Key Objectives and Mission
CFT’s core objectives are to canvas opinions on various footballing matters and present these to the club’s board. They aim to hold the board accountable and ensure that the views and concerns of the fans are represented in decisions that impact the club’s future.
Additionally, CFT is committed to reclaiming Tottenham’s footballing heritage. They believe the club has lost sight of its identity over the years, and it’s time to bring back the glory days when success on the pitch was prioritized. To achieve this, they seek a clear and strategic vision for Tottenham Hotspur’s future, one that rivals the ambitions of the club’s board in terms of footballing success.
CFT is also keen on collaborating with other fan-led groups who share a similar mission for change. They envision a united front of Spurs supporters, all pushing for a brighter future where the club is run with the true identity and values of the fans at its core.
Why Fans Deserve a Voice
While CFT acknowledges the commercial success that the current Tottenham board has achieved, they believe that much of this success is built upon the unwavering loyalty of the Spurs fanbase. This fanbase, many of whom have supported the club for generations, is the heartbeat of the club’s legacy. It’s the fans who have made Tottenham Hotspur the global brand it is today. The group believes that fans, who have Tottenham in their blood, deserve to have their voices heard and deserve answers from the board.
The motto of the club, “To Dare is to Do,” resonates deeply with CFT. They believe that now is the time for fans to do something about the current situation. With the unwavering support of the fanbase, CFT is determined to unite Spurs supporters in the pursuit of a better future for Tottenham Hotspur—one that stays true to its roots and focuses on achieving real success on the pitch.
Who is Daniel Levy, & who are ENIC?
Daniel Levy, born on February 8, 1962, in Essex, England, has been the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club since 2001, making him the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League.
A lifelong Tottenham supporter, Levy studied Economics and Land Economy at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, graduating in 1985 with a First Class Honours Degree.
Under Levy’s leadership, Tottenham has undergone significant transformations, including the construction of the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened in 2019. This £1 billion investment has positioned the club as a financial powerhouse, with annual revenues exceeding £500 million.
However, despite these financial achievements, the club has faced criticism for its lack of silverware, with the last major trophy being the 2008 League Cup. This disparity between financial success and on-field performance has led to growing discontent among fans.
ENIC Group on the other hand, formerly known as the English National Investment Company, is a British investment firm that has owned Tottenham Hotspur since 2001. The company is controlled by British billionaire Joe Lewis, who, through his family trust, holds a controlling 70.6% stake in ENIC. Daniel Levy and his family own a 29.4% stake in the company.
ENIC’s ownership has been marked by a focus on commercial growth and financial stability. The construction of the new stadium and the club’s increased revenue streams are part of this strategy. However, this business-centric approach has been criticized by fans who feel that the club’s footballing ambitions have been sidelined in favor of commercial interests. The recent protests reflect a desire among supporters for a balance between financial success and competitive performance on the pitch.
Why are the fans frustrated?
Supporters have recently intensified their protests against chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s ownership group, ENIC and the dissatisfaction stems from a combination of on-field struggles, perceived mismanagement, and a focus on commercial ventures over footballing success:
On-Field Performance and Management Decisions
As of mid-February 2025, Tottenham finds itself languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, having suffered 13 losses out of 25 matches. The team has also faced early exits from both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, leading to growing frustration among the fanbase. Many supporters attribute these shortcomings to a lack of investment in quality players and questionable managerial appointments under Levy’s leadership. The club has seen 16 managerial changes during ENIC’s 24-year tenure, with only one trophy—the 2008 League Cup—to show for it.
Financial Priorities and Commercial Ventures
Critics argue that while the club has achieved financial stability and boasts a state-of-the-art stadium, the emphasis on revenue-generating events—such as hosting NFL games and concerts by artists like Beyoncé—has overshadowed the primary focus on football. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp voiced this sentiment, stating,
“As long as they’ve got the American Football and they’ve got Beyoncé in the summer, they’re happy, the owners are happy.”
However, former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon defended Levy, highlighting his dedication to the club. Lennon noted,
“He is a fan. He is devastated when we lose. He is passionate about the club.”
“Maybe we could have spent more and got bigger players.”
Fan Protests and Calls for Change
The discontent culminated in a significant protest ahead of the home match against Manchester United on February 16, 2025. Like said before, organized by the fan group Change for Tottenham (CFT), the demonstration saw at least two thousand supporters marching and chanting for Levy and ENIC to “get out of our club.” Banners highlighted the club’s lack of silverware, with messages like “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy—Time for change.”
Despite these protests, reports suggest that a consortium of Qatari investors is considering a takeover bid for Tottenham. Interestingly, they plan to offer Daniel Levy a long-term contract to continue as executive chairman, a move that may not sit well with the protesting fans.
As the season progresses, the relationship between Tottenham’s management and its supporters remains strained. The fans’ unwavering demand is clear: a shift in priorities towards genuine footballing success and a departure from a business-first mentality.
