The History : Years of sorrow and triumph
By Jack Hussey July 9 2002
Take a read into the fascinating history of Spurs, the ups and downs over the years. Then check your route with the journey planner. And if you need anything from the club, from ordering shirts to tickets its all here.
By Jack Hussey July 9 2002
Take a read into the fascinating history of Spurs, the ups and downs over the years. Then check your route with the journey planner. And if you need anything from the club, from ordering shirts to tickets its all here.
History
Spurs were formed in 1882 when a group of young men started a football club to accompany their cricket club 'Hotspur'. The name Hotspur originates from a Shakespearian character with the name of Harry Hotspur. The club was named Hotspur FC. Later to be called Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham Hotspur's first competitive match came in 1885 with a 5-2 win over St Albans in the London Association Cup. The club quickly transformed from a group of aspiring young men playing friendlies, to a club watched by thousands. Spurs became professional in 1898 and joined the Southern League.
This is the season where played our arch rivals Arsenal for the very first time. At the time they were called Woolwich Arsenal and 14 thousand people flocked to watch the game. After this game it became apparent that the current playing ground at Northumberland park was not big enough. The club discovered a piece of land next to the White Hart pub, its not hard to see where the story goes from here.
The first game to be played in the new 30 thousand capacity stadium was against Notts County in 1899. Within two years Spurs captured both the Southern League title and the FA Cup, the first non league team to do so. That was thanks to a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.
Spurs gained promotion to the football league in 1908, but things were not so easy. Poor form decided that the team would face seasons of relegation battles. The league was suspended in 1914 due to the First World War, at which point Spurs were lying at the bottom of the table.
Spurs took the the Second Division title in 1920 and then the FA Cup again in the following year. The only Southern team to do so since last winning it in 1901. Spurs reached the Semi final again the following year and came second in the league behind Liverpool. However troubled times were ahead of spurs. After 5 poor seasons the club were once again relegated in 1928. And remained in the second division untill 1933 When Percy Smith took over and the team once again gained promotion only to be relegated once again in 1935. Staying In Division 2 untill 1950.
In 1949 Arthur Rowe took charge of the club building one of the most famous Spurs sides of all time. Implimenting his famous 'push and run' which had tens of thousands of delighted fans flocking to watch. Spurs won the Second divison in 1950 then in the following season claimed their first ever League Championship ahead of Man United.
But once again like so much of Spurs history, the success was short lived. An ageing squad and the managers poor health saw Spurs acheive very little in the following years. Little did everyone know, history was about to be made.
Bill Nicholson was appointed in 1958 as Spurs manager, and started as he meant to go on by thrashing Everton 10-4 in his first game in charge. 2 years later the likes of Mackay, Jones and Blanchflower joined the ranks and Spurs made history by being the first club to lift the domestic Double.
The season following Nicholson made a transfer record purchase of Jimmy Greaves. Who subsequently went on to become the clubs' record goal scorer a record held still to this day. Spurs once again won the FA Cup and came third in the league. In 1963 Spurs became the first british side to win a european title by capturing the cup winners cup.
But the double-winning side started to break up. Smith was sold, Blanchflower and Medwin retired, Mackay broke his leg twice and, most tragic, John White lost his life at just 26 when he was struck by lightning.
Nicholson had to build again and he did just that. In came Gilzean, Robertson, England, Jennings, Knowles, Venables and Mullery as we lifted the FA Cup again in 1967.
Martin Chivers then inspired the side to the League Cup in 1971, a success repeated in 1973 and in-between more European glory via the 1972 UEFA Cup.
All things must come to an end though and Nicholson's great era did just that after he resigned following four straight league defeats in 1974. A black day for Spurs.
Terry Neill replaced Nicholson but the club was now fighting at the wrong end of the table. He resigned in June 1976 to be replaced by Keith Burkinshaw but we were relegated in his first season in charge. The club needed to bounce back and did just that. With a young Glenn Hoddle starting to make an impact, we gained promotion back to the First Division in 1977-78.
It was time for a new chapter to open and it did so thanks to one of the great transfer coups as Burkinshaw brought in Argentinian World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.
Mid-table finishes followed but the arrival of a new strikeforce in Archibald and Crooks completed Burkinshaw's team.
Villa went on to inspire the FA Cup win of 1981 with his famous replay goal against Manchester City and we held onto the cup by beating Terry Venables' QPR the following year. We lost the League Cup in 1982 and reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup, losing out to Barcelona.
But European glory wasn't far away and the name of Tony Parkes was engraved in Spurs history with his heroics in a penalty shoot-out in the second leg of the UEFA Cup against Anderlecht. Burkinshaw left the club in 1984.
The next, and arguably last, great Spurs team followed in 1986-87.
With David Pleat in charge the team, playing an attacking five-man midfield including Hoddle and Chris Waddle, finished third in the league, runners-up in the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Terry Venables' arrival from Barcelona to take over from Pleat sparked more memorable days. In came Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker and the club survived a financial crisis to win the FA Cup in 1991 - Gazza famously scoring that free-kick against Arsenal in the semi-final before badly damaging his knee in that tackle in the final, which we won 2-1 against Forest. Gazza eventually moved to Lazio - and enter the Premiership.
We finished eighth in the first season of football's new era in 1992-93 before the bombshell of Venables being sacked as chief executive by chairman Sir Alan Sugar.
Ossie Ardiles' appointment promised much, not least with the arrival of Jurgen Klinsmann, but attacking flair did not produce results and Ardiles left, his last game in charge was at home to West Ham.
Gerry Francis arrived as boss, helped stave off any threat of relegation and took us to the brink of the FA Cup final as the Klinsmann-Sheringham partnership blossomed.
But Klinsmann left after a year and despite the Sheringham-Armstrong partnership eventually firing, we could not finish higher than eighth.
The big-money arrivals of David Ginola and Les Ferdinand at the start of 1997-98 was followed by Francis' resignation and the ill-fated appointment of Christian Gross, who had the returning Klinsmann's four goals in a 6-1 win at Wimbledon to thank on the penultimate weekend of 1997-98 to avoid the drop.
Gross lasted three games into 1998-99 before the arrival of ex-Arsenal boss George Graham and another new era. Graham ended the threat of relegation and triumphed at Wembley in the Worthington Cup in his first season in charge.
That meant the club was back in Europe but 1999-2000 ended in disappointment as we were knocked out of all three cup competitions in the space of a month.
Onto this season then and Graham's shock exit despite reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the much-welcomed arrival of Lane legend Glenn Hoddle.
He has a five-year contract and the ideals of our new owners ENIC to return to our rightful place amongst England and Europe's elite.
Directions -
From the North - Take the A10 to the roundabout with A406 (North Circular Road), taking the first exit on to Stirling Way, after one mile turn right into Fore Street (A1010) which will turn into High Road, turn left into Park Lane where the ground will be on your left.
From the South - Cross the Thames over the London Bridge and continue north via Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate, follow signs for A10 Cambridge, after 5 miles when the A10 branches off go right into High Road A1010, after 0.5 mile turn right into Park Lane (the road which backs onto South Stand)
From the East/West - A406 North Circular Road following signs for Edmonton, if you are coming from the west tun right or turn left if you are coming from the east onto the A1010 Fore Street which will turn into High Road, turn left into Park Lane where the ground will be on your left.
Parking - You will not find any parking within a quarter of a mile of the ground, you will be looking at a walk of around a mile from Edmonton or around Bruce Grove, you may be best advised to take the tube to save a lot of hassle.
Nearest Tube Station - Severn Sisters on the Victoria Line
Nearest Railway Station - White Hart Lane Tel - 0171 928 5100
Bus - London Transport Tel - 0171 222 1234, bus numbers 149, 259, 279 and 359 take you to the ground.
Contact Info
Spursline 09068 100 500 (60p per minute)
Mail order line 020 8804 7888
Park Lane Megastore 020 8365 5042
Paxton Road shop 020 8365 5041
Stadium tours 020 8365 5056
Club email address mail@spurs.co.uk
Mail address Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 0AP
Spurs were formed in 1882 when a group of young men started a football club to accompany their cricket club 'Hotspur'. The name Hotspur originates from a Shakespearian character with the name of Harry Hotspur. The club was named Hotspur FC. Later to be called Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham Hotspur's first competitive match came in 1885 with a 5-2 win over St Albans in the London Association Cup. The club quickly transformed from a group of aspiring young men playing friendlies, to a club watched by thousands. Spurs became professional in 1898 and joined the Southern League.
This is the season where played our arch rivals Arsenal for the very first time. At the time they were called Woolwich Arsenal and 14 thousand people flocked to watch the game. After this game it became apparent that the current playing ground at Northumberland park was not big enough. The club discovered a piece of land next to the White Hart pub, its not hard to see where the story goes from here.
The first game to be played in the new 30 thousand capacity stadium was against Notts County in 1899. Within two years Spurs captured both the Southern League title and the FA Cup, the first non league team to do so. That was thanks to a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.
Spurs gained promotion to the football league in 1908, but things were not so easy. Poor form decided that the team would face seasons of relegation battles. The league was suspended in 1914 due to the First World War, at which point Spurs were lying at the bottom of the table.
Spurs took the the Second Division title in 1920 and then the FA Cup again in the following year. The only Southern team to do so since last winning it in 1901. Spurs reached the Semi final again the following year and came second in the league behind Liverpool. However troubled times were ahead of spurs. After 5 poor seasons the club were once again relegated in 1928. And remained in the second division untill 1933 When Percy Smith took over and the team once again gained promotion only to be relegated once again in 1935. Staying In Division 2 untill 1950.
In 1949 Arthur Rowe took charge of the club building one of the most famous Spurs sides of all time. Implimenting his famous 'push and run' which had tens of thousands of delighted fans flocking to watch. Spurs won the Second divison in 1950 then in the following season claimed their first ever League Championship ahead of Man United.
But once again like so much of Spurs history, the success was short lived. An ageing squad and the managers poor health saw Spurs acheive very little in the following years. Little did everyone know, history was about to be made.
Bill Nicholson was appointed in 1958 as Spurs manager, and started as he meant to go on by thrashing Everton 10-4 in his first game in charge. 2 years later the likes of Mackay, Jones and Blanchflower joined the ranks and Spurs made history by being the first club to lift the domestic Double.
The season following Nicholson made a transfer record purchase of Jimmy Greaves. Who subsequently went on to become the clubs' record goal scorer a record held still to this day. Spurs once again won the FA Cup and came third in the league. In 1963 Spurs became the first british side to win a european title by capturing the cup winners cup.
But the double-winning side started to break up. Smith was sold, Blanchflower and Medwin retired, Mackay broke his leg twice and, most tragic, John White lost his life at just 26 when he was struck by lightning.
Nicholson had to build again and he did just that. In came Gilzean, Robertson, England, Jennings, Knowles, Venables and Mullery as we lifted the FA Cup again in 1967.
Martin Chivers then inspired the side to the League Cup in 1971, a success repeated in 1973 and in-between more European glory via the 1972 UEFA Cup.
All things must come to an end though and Nicholson's great era did just that after he resigned following four straight league defeats in 1974. A black day for Spurs.
Terry Neill replaced Nicholson but the club was now fighting at the wrong end of the table. He resigned in June 1976 to be replaced by Keith Burkinshaw but we were relegated in his first season in charge. The club needed to bounce back and did just that. With a young Glenn Hoddle starting to make an impact, we gained promotion back to the First Division in 1977-78.
It was time for a new chapter to open and it did so thanks to one of the great transfer coups as Burkinshaw brought in Argentinian World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.
Mid-table finishes followed but the arrival of a new strikeforce in Archibald and Crooks completed Burkinshaw's team.
Villa went on to inspire the FA Cup win of 1981 with his famous replay goal against Manchester City and we held onto the cup by beating Terry Venables' QPR the following year. We lost the League Cup in 1982 and reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup, losing out to Barcelona.
But European glory wasn't far away and the name of Tony Parkes was engraved in Spurs history with his heroics in a penalty shoot-out in the second leg of the UEFA Cup against Anderlecht. Burkinshaw left the club in 1984.
The next, and arguably last, great Spurs team followed in 1986-87.
With David Pleat in charge the team, playing an attacking five-man midfield including Hoddle and Chris Waddle, finished third in the league, runners-up in the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Terry Venables' arrival from Barcelona to take over from Pleat sparked more memorable days. In came Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker and the club survived a financial crisis to win the FA Cup in 1991 - Gazza famously scoring that free-kick against Arsenal in the semi-final before badly damaging his knee in that tackle in the final, which we won 2-1 against Forest. Gazza eventually moved to Lazio - and enter the Premiership.
We finished eighth in the first season of football's new era in 1992-93 before the bombshell of Venables being sacked as chief executive by chairman Sir Alan Sugar.
Ossie Ardiles' appointment promised much, not least with the arrival of Jurgen Klinsmann, but attacking flair did not produce results and Ardiles left, his last game in charge was at home to West Ham.
Gerry Francis arrived as boss, helped stave off any threat of relegation and took us to the brink of the FA Cup final as the Klinsmann-Sheringham partnership blossomed.
But Klinsmann left after a year and despite the Sheringham-Armstrong partnership eventually firing, we could not finish higher than eighth.
The big-money arrivals of David Ginola and Les Ferdinand at the start of 1997-98 was followed by Francis' resignation and the ill-fated appointment of Christian Gross, who had the returning Klinsmann's four goals in a 6-1 win at Wimbledon to thank on the penultimate weekend of 1997-98 to avoid the drop.
Gross lasted three games into 1998-99 before the arrival of ex-Arsenal boss George Graham and another new era. Graham ended the threat of relegation and triumphed at Wembley in the Worthington Cup in his first season in charge.
That meant the club was back in Europe but 1999-2000 ended in disappointment as we were knocked out of all three cup competitions in the space of a month.
Onto this season then and Graham's shock exit despite reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the much-welcomed arrival of Lane legend Glenn Hoddle.
He has a five-year contract and the ideals of our new owners ENIC to return to our rightful place amongst England and Europe's elite.
Directions -
From the North - Take the A10 to the roundabout with A406 (North Circular Road), taking the first exit on to Stirling Way, after one mile turn right into Fore Street (A1010) which will turn into High Road, turn left into Park Lane where the ground will be on your left.
From the South - Cross the Thames over the London Bridge and continue north via Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate, follow signs for A10 Cambridge, after 5 miles when the A10 branches off go right into High Road A1010, after 0.5 mile turn right into Park Lane (the road which backs onto South Stand)
From the East/West - A406 North Circular Road following signs for Edmonton, if you are coming from the west tun right or turn left if you are coming from the east onto the A1010 Fore Street which will turn into High Road, turn left into Park Lane where the ground will be on your left.
Parking - You will not find any parking within a quarter of a mile of the ground, you will be looking at a walk of around a mile from Edmonton or around Bruce Grove, you may be best advised to take the tube to save a lot of hassle.
Nearest Tube Station - Severn Sisters on the Victoria Line
Nearest Railway Station - White Hart Lane Tel - 0171 928 5100
Bus - London Transport Tel - 0171 222 1234, bus numbers 149, 259, 279 and 359 take you to the ground.
Contact Info
Spursline 09068 100 500 (60p per minute)
Mail order line 020 8804 7888
Park Lane Megastore 020 8365 5042
Paxton Road shop 020 8365 5041
Stadium tours 020 8365 5056
Club email address mail@spurs.co.uk
Mail address Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 0AP
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