View from down under: In Ange we trusted

Let me introduce myself, my name is Sean Bielski. I am an Australian Spurs fan and the president of Australia Spurs, or OzSpurs to those who know us. Part of a unique breed of fans who, regardless of the time of day, meet up to watch our beloved Spurs play, and hopefully not ruin the start of the Australian working week. The Australian Spurs fan is probably one of the most dedicated of all football fans. Staying up until the early hours to watch a football match, usually with a predetermined outcome, at least in recent years. 

Australia Spurs (OzSpurs), the Official Australian Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club, was formed in 2001. Our club was born mainly out of frustration – in those days, it was a rare event to get a live Spurs match on TV in Australia and, when we were on, there was no central place for Spurs fans to meet up. The club got off to a good start as interest in the Premier League grew in Australia, but it wasn’t until the addition of the OzSpurs website in 2002 that the club really took off. We haven’t looked back since.

We are very proud of the fact that we often have Spurs fans come to our pubs simply because they know that is where we meet. We love meeting those who have moved to Australia, those who are visiting, or those who have lived here all their lives. Many Spurs fans who’ve just moved to the country often find that there is a ready-made group of mates down the pub. Our activities are not all centered at the pub, however. There are many 5-a-side OzSpurs teams around the country, and some chapters have hosted family days, BBQs, etc. On top of that our website and our Facebook group offer Spurs fans down under the chance to chat about all things Spurs whilst much of the world sleeps.

The arrival of an Australian manager was a wild card, some might say, but for me, as an Aussie, it instilled a renewed belief that not only would our fortunes change but at the helm would be, “one of our own”. The first season delivered promise, along with the return of ‘Tottenham Football’. All out attack! We finished in a promising position. Second string European football delivered a chance, albeit a slim one, of removing the Spursy tag that many a decent manager had tried and failed to deliver. In season two, teams worked out Angeball, results started to go against us, but in Europe, we continued to succeed. We started to dare to dream! Aussie Ange prioritised Europe over league position, and yes, we finished 17th in the Premier League, but who can forget that night in Bilbao? 

Sorry, I should say that morning, for those of us in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane or Tasmania. The Aussies flooded pubs and clubs in the early hours to not only support their team, but one of their own. Not the prettiest of games, but the long awaited outcome after many years of falling short. As an Aussie, it was one of the proudest moments of my life, not only to share with my friends and family, but as the leader of a special group of dedicated supporters who deserve everything that game brought.

Season three, it was promised, would be better, the board thought differently, and here we are. The Frank era. From this moment, any trace of Angeball was erased, we now have a manager whose sole purpose is to try and outsmart the opposition, and in doing so, eradicating all the ethos of the Spurs mantra, “To dare is to do!”. Now we see “To defend is to do!” Any momentum that a trophy delivered was eradicated in one appointment. 

Whilst Angeball wasn’t for everyone, and yes I’m biased, he delivered on his promises. That morning in Bilbao is something I can be forever grateful for to Ange. A moment I got to share with my two brainwashed sons who could have chosen a team that wins things, but instead went with Spurs. In life, not everyone gets the chance to talk about their legacy, but I’m fortunate enough to be in a position that I can. My role as president is simple, to unite Spurs fans all across Australia, to bring as many fans together, whenever, wherever we can, to enjoy, celebrate, and embrace the fact that regardless of where we are in the world, we are connected to one of the things in our life that makes us feel emotion, good or bad. Regardless of the outcome, there are people close to me who feel the same, even though I may be a million miles away from some of the people I love. 

For me, the power of football is something that is as strong as religion itself.

COYOS!