'We are making football more affordable to build our future'
Brentford director Niti Raj says that keeping costs down for supporters is a key pillar of the club's vision to engage future generations of Bees fans.This week, BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Brentford Football Club, getting an insight into how things operate.Raj believes Brentford have a "responsibility" to keep prices down for fans of all ages."We are talking about affordability for our fans and if we can't get seven or eight year-olds interested in the football, they will go to something else," he said."So we have got a responsibility to make sure that the fans who are seven years old are going to be fans when they are 70. "Part of that is about having good prices for them."This includes giving youngsters a chance to travel to away fixtures as well."Kids of that age, when they are getting into football, are going to have these amazing away experiences and part of that is because they can afford to come on them," he added."If we can make football more affordable, we are doing that to build our future."Raj also believes that the fact the Bees have less funds available to them than clubs such as Manchester United or Manchester City allows them to be more innovative."I was talking earlier about the hunger that in some respects it helps keep you focused," he said."On one hand, you might not have problems when thinking about resources of what you need to bring in, but then it also means you are maybe not as focused. "There is a big correlation between money spent and performance in our industry and the clubs that have got the most tend to do the best."Do I feel sympathy for it [Manchester United's financial struggles of late]? No. But I also recognise that we have a strength that comes from our position."Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on BBC Sounds
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Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘We don't have much influence' – Tottenham star breaks ranks as he labels Ange Postecoglou sacking ‘strange'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICKY VAN DE VEN has branded Tottenham's brutal axing of Ange Postecoglou as a 'strange decision'. Postecoglou was shown the door just 16 days after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought with Europa League glory in Bilbao. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Micky van de Ven has opened up on Ange Postecoglou's sacking Credit: Alamy 2 Postecoglou was dismissed earlier this month by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy Credit: Getty The North Londoners are very close to appointing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his successor. Yet the decision to axe the Aussie is understood to have left many of the players disappointed given the success they enjoyed in Europe. And while on international duty with the Netherlands, centre-back Van de Ven, 24, said: 'As players, we don't have much to say about that. 'Of course, he was the first coach in a long time to win a trophy and have success at Spurs. READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM SPUR-N THE CHANCE Spurs qualify for competition no Prem team has won - but may not play it 'So, if you look at it that way, it's definitely a strange decision. 'But it's a decision made by the club, and we don't have much say in that, so we'll see what happens next. 'We're of course seeing some rumpus about the Brentford manager likely becoming the next one. 'So yes, it's a decision by the club that we don't have much influence over.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Daniel Levy decided to wield the axe after an awful Premier League campaign which saw Spurs finish 17th. They lost a club-record 22 league games, which was the first time ever a Prem team has managed that and NOT been relegated. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou And yet Postecoglou ended the club's silverware curse with their Europa win, which also got them back into the Champions League. Most of the Spurs squad have been effusive in their praise of Postecoglou on social media following his sacking and what he did for them as players and as people. Van de Ven, who missed much of the league campaign through injury, added: 'I think a lot of players had a good relationship with him. Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' 'And of course, like I said, he was the first coach in a long time to bring success to Spurs. 'That also shows he has a certain quality. It also means he has a winning mentality - one hundred per cent. 'So from that point of view, you'd naturally say it's strange that he was sacked. 'But of course, what we showed in the league was unacceptable. 'That, however, could have been due to several factors… it wouldn't have just been the coach.'
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
‘We don't have much influence' – Tottenham star breaks ranks as he labels Ange Postecoglou sacking ‘strange'
MICKY VAN DE VEN has branded Tottenham's brutal axing of Ange Postecoglou as a 'strange decision'. Postecoglou was shown the door just 16 days after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought with Europa League glory in Bilbao. 2 2 The North Londoners are very close to appointing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his successor. Yet the decision to axe the Aussie is understood to have left many of the players disappointed given the success they enjoyed in Europe. And while on international duty with the Netherlands, centre-back Van de Ven, 24, said: 'As players, we don't have much to say about that. 'Of course, he was the first coach in a long time to win a trophy and have success at Spurs. 'So, if you look at it that way, it's definitely a strange decision. 'But it's a decision made by the club, and we don't have much say in that, so we'll see what happens next. 'We're of course seeing some rumpus about the Brentford manager likely becoming the next one. 'So yes, it's a decision by the club that we don't have much influence over.' Daniel Levy decided to wield the axe after an awful Premier League campaign which saw Spurs finish 17th. They lost a club-record 22 league games, which was the first time ever a Prem team has managed that and NOT been relegated. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou And yet Postecoglou ended the club's silverware curse with their Europa win, which also got them back into the Champions League. Most of the Spurs squad have been effusive in their praise of Postecoglou on social media following his sacking and what he did for them as players and as people. Van de Ven, who missed much of the league campaign through injury, added: 'I think a lot of players had a good relationship with him. Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' 'And of course, like I said, he was the first coach in a long time to bring success to Spurs. 'That also shows he has a certain quality. It also means he has a winning mentality - one hundred per cent. 'So from that point of view, you'd naturally say it's strange that he was sacked. 'But of course, what we showed in the league was unacceptable. 'That, however, could have been due to several factors… it wouldn't have just been the coach.'
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Daniel Levy told to make Ange Postecoglou sacking U-turn in desperate plea
Tottenham are set to appoint Thomas Frank as their new manager after chairman Daniel Levy decided to sack Ange Postecoglou following the club's Europa League triumph Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been urged to swallow his pride and reverse the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou. The Australian was dismissed as Spurs boss on Friday, but The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece, believes Levy will come to regret his choice. The Australian has lots of supporters at Spurs after ending the club's 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao. But he was sacked due to Tottenham 's dreadful league form, with the club finishing 17th in the Premier League after suffering 22 defeats. Postecoglou is set to be replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, but Levy has faced plenty of backlash, with Micky van de Ven among calling the decision 'strange'. Spurs have entered talks with Brentford, who could be owed £10million in compensation for Frank, but the Mayor of Postecoglou's home city has desperately called for a re-think. 'On behalf of the people of Melbourne, and Premier League fans around the world, I call on Tottenham Hotspur FC to reconsider its decision to sack coach Ange Postecoglou,' Reece wrote in a statement on Instagram. "In @cityofmelbourne we have followed Ange's career closely for decades. He began his junior and senior career in Melbourne as a player and later coach at @southmelbournefc in the 1980s. "Never underestimate Ange's determination to win, and his ability to carry teams to greatness. We have seen this time again over his career. This year Tottenham made history by winning the Europa League trophy – its first such win in 17 years. We will see with further trophies follow if Ange is given the chance. "Don't let Tottenham be known as the team that is allergic to silverware. Let Ange lead the players onto greatness in next year's Premier League campaign." HAVE YOUR SAY! Was sacking Ange Postecoglou the right decision? Comment below. Postecoglou himself knows that Levy will not U-turn on his decision and has already been linked with another Premier League club. 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride,' he said in a statement. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work. dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them.'
