Martin Cloake
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martincloake.bsky.social
Martin Cloake
@martincloake.bsky.social
Writer, editor, Londoner
www.martincloake.com
https://martincloake.substack.com
Latest edition of The Football Fan now out, with a European theme.

Is that all we get away?, by @MartinCloake open.substack.com/pub/martincl...
Is that all we get away?
I have written frequently about the dreadful experience of away fans at European games. Things aren’t getting any better. That needs to change.
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Shouting into the void perhaps, but the Outlook for Mac upgrade is possibly the worst software upgrade in the history of software. Has smashed the ability to autofill email addresses, and typing in every address every time is a significant time thief. Well done all at Microsoft Towers.
October 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Last plug for my appearance on It Started With A Kick with @rcfoster.bsky.social Apologies for visual disturbance.
Tail wagging the dog is how @martincloake.bsky.social describes relationship between tv and football. Find out more in Part 2 of Martin’s episode - bit.ly/41JA5Cv
September 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Interesting seeing the stories of how people came to support their club after my ISWAK episode with @rcfoster.bsky.social The accepted wisdom has tended to be that support is passed down the generations, but there is more to the story.
September 9, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Apologies for the disturbing video clip, I’ve always said I had a great face for radio. But I really enjoyed talking about the actual football on Richard’s excellent pod #coys
How @martincloake.bsky.social almost became a @qpr.co.uk fan before plumping for @tottenhamhotspur.com Hear more of Martin’s story in Part 1 of his episode -
bit.ly/4nmDSho
September 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Coverage of #stopexploitingloyalty reaches Brazilian-based website ludopedio @wearethefsa.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Question now is, what is the owners’ vision for the club? Looks very much like the Lewis family have made their move and this could be very positive. But we need clarity and transparency. I’ve seen too many false dawns. #coys
September 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
At a time when doubtless thousands of new ‘experts’ on tax will emerge, it is absolutely a requirement to follow Dan.
A key question to ask Ms Rayner: when she obtained the stamp duty advice, did she tell the adviser about the trust?

It’s an easy yes/no question.
September 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This will be worth a listen - and Ewan’s book is a good read too.
Today on It Was What It Was, the football history podcast, Ewan Flynn joins us to talk Paul Gascoigne, Terry Venables and Tottenham's turbulent 1990-91 season.

podfollow.com/1745066482
August 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Fingers crossed someone has confiscated Daniel’s phone and locked him in a cupboard to prevent a “One last thing” call scuppering the Simons deal.
August 29, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The first edition of The Football Fan for the new season is out now.
What’s the big idea?
A new season and new attempts to ruin a simply beautiful game. Welcome back!
martincloake.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
It’s Grimsby up north.
August 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This looks like a breath of fresh air.

trackrecordmedia.org/about/
About – Track Record
trackrecordmedia.org
August 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This is a very good read, and a sadly familiar story. In the UK, it’s a better picture but the pressure is more subtle and some of the themes still apply.
Football is the Police State's Petri Dish
As is the custom, the Police Union publish their thoughts on the Bundesliga launch
www.unmodern.football
August 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Son is a proper #spurs legend and it was a privilege to see him and Harry Kane in one of the greatest partnerships ever. Sonny’s commitment and loyalty never at fault either. If only our board had similar ability and ambition. But thank you for the days, Sonny.
August 2, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Multi-club ownership, flexible rules and Crystal Palace are the focus in the latest edition of The Football Fan.

martincloake.substac...
Rules, damn rules and Crystal Palace
Multi-club ownership is at the heart of the dispute between Crystal Palace and UEFA, and everyone has questions to answer
martincloake.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Price of Football pod was kind enough to ask @percyblakeney.bsky.social and I on to talk FABs, fan organisation and football commerce this week.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Interview: West Ham United Fan Advisory Board chair, Andy Payne, and Martin Cloake from Tottenham’s ‘Save Our Seniors’ campaign
Podcast Episode · The Price of Football · 18/07/2025 · 1h 21m
podcasts.apple.com
July 18, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This will be a special #spurs night.

Special performance of The Ghost of White Hart Lane. Thurs July 24th @1MickyHazard will be hosting a post show auction for his amazing Legend on the Bench charity.

Your chance to meet him & see this historic show. Grab the last few tix while you can
The Ghost of White Hart Lane - Jacksons Lane Events - The Home of Contemporary Circus
★★★★★ — The Edinburgh Reporter ★★★★ — The Times "Pick of the Fringe" — Ian Rankin Spurs and Scotland star John White was one of the best footballers of the 1960s. However, in July 1964, he was struck...
www.jacksonslane.org.uk
July 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Evening push for my latest Substack on the tension between football and its most committed fans.
The game versus the crowd
There is a tension in football that is bubbling under, and smart leadership is needed to deal with it.
open.substack.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A long, and interesting, read from @SwissRamble on PSR. #Spurs types may want to scroll to the club specific bit to get potential claims that the club has to sell to buy in context.

open.substack.com/pu...
June 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Thanks to all the new followers, who seem almost exclusively #spurs Which gives me the chance to flag ip the books I’ve written about the club. #shamelessselfpublicity

www.martincloake.com
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June 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM