Tottenham Hotspur

150px
Full name	Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
Nickname(s)	Spurs, Lilywhites
Founded	1882; 130 years ago  (1882) (as Hotspur F.C.)
Ground	White Hart Lane, Tottenham, London (Capacity: 36,310[1])
Owner	ENIC International Ltd.
Chairman	Daniel Levy
Manager	Harry Redknapp
League	Premier League
2011–12	Premier League, 4th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English football club based in Tottenham, London, that plays in the Premier League. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.

Founded in 1882, Tottenham won the FA Cup for the first time in 1901, making it the only non-League club to do so since the formation of the Football League. Tottenham was the first club in the 20th century to achieve the League and FA Cup Double, winning both competitions in the 1960–61 season. After successfully defending the FA Cup in 1962, in 1963 it became the first British club to win a UEFA club competition – the European Cup Winners' Cup.^[2] In 1967 it won the FA Cup for a third time in the 1960s. In the 1970s Tottenham won the League Cup on two occasions and was the inaugural winner of the UEFA Cup in 1972, becoming the first British club to win two different major European trophies. In the 1980s Spurs won several trophies: the FA Cup twice, FA Community Shield and the UEFA Cup in 1984. In the 1990s the club won the FA Cup and the League Cup. When it won the League Cup once more in 2008, it meant that it had won a major trophy in each of the last six decades – an achievement only matched by Manchester United.

The club's Latin motto is Audere est Facere (lit: "To Dare Is to Do"), and its emblem is a cockerel standing upon a football. The club has a long-standing rivalry with near neighbours Arsenal. Matches between the two teams are known as the North London derby.

History[link]

Sandy Brown (hidden) scoring the third goal for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1901 FA Cup Final replay against Sheffield United

The club was formed in 1882, as Hotspur F.C., and played in the Southern League until 1908, when it was elected into the Football League Second Division. Before this promotion Tottenham had won the FA Cup in 1901, making it the only non-League club to do so since the formation of the Football League.

Since then, Tottenham have won the FA Cup a further seven times, the Football League twice, the Football League Cup four times, the UEFA Cup twice and also the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. The Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1963 made Tottenham the first English team to win a UEFA competition. In 1960–61 it became the first team to complete The Double in the Twentieth Century.

Stadium[link]

Tottenham Marshes[link]

Tottenham played their first matches at Tottenham Marshes on the available public pitches and remained there for six years. It was at this ground that Spurs first played arch rivals Arsenal (then known as Royal Arsenal), leading 2–1 until the match got called off due to poor light after the away team arrived late.^[3] There were occasions on which fights would break out on the marshes in dispute of the teams that were allowed to use the best pitches. Crowds were increasing and a new site was needed to accommodate these supporters.

Northumberland Park[link]

In 1898 the club moved from the marshes to Northumberland Park and charged an admission fee of 3d. They only remained at this ground for a year as in April 1899 14,000 fans turned up to watch Spurs play Woolwich Arsenal. The ground was no longer able to cope with the larger crowds and Tottenham Hotspur was forced to move to a new larger site 100 yards down the road, to the current ground.

White Hart Lane[link]

Aerial image of White Hart Lane

White Hart Lane was originally a disused nursery owned by the brewery Charringtons and located behind a public house. The landlord realised the increased revenues he could enjoy if Tottenham played their matches behind his pub and the club moved in. They brought with them the stand they used at Northumberland Park which gave shelter to 2,500 fans. Notts County were the first visitors to 'the Lane' in a friendly watched by 5,000 people and bringing in £115 in receipts, Spurs won 4–1. QPR became the first competitive visitors to the ground and 11,000 people saw them lose 1–0 to Tottenham.

Since 1910, Tottenham have displayed a bronze cast of a cockerel made by a former player.

In 1905 Tottenham raised enough money to buy the freehold to the land and became the permanent owners of the ground. As the club grew new stands were added. A new main stand was added in 1909, the East stand was also covered this year and extended further two years later. The profits from the 1921 FA Cup win were used to build a covered terrace at the Paxton Road end and the Park Lane end was built at a cost of over £3,000 some two years later. This increased the ground's capacity to around 58,000 with room for 40,000 under cover. The East Stand development was finishing in 1934 which increased the capacity to around 80,000 spectators and cost £60,000. The pitch was renovated in 1952 which uncovered a number of items from the old nursery on the site and one year later the first floodlights were introduced. These lights were upgraded in 1957 which required the cockerel to be moved from the West Stand to the East and then in 1961 floodlight pylons were installed.

The West Stand was replaced by an expensive (and far behind schedule) new structure and the stadium started its long modernisation process. Various developments and upgrades were implemented over the years and in 1992 the lower terraces of the south and east stand were converted to seating and the whole of the North stand followed to become all-seater the following season. The South Stand re-development was completed in March 1995 and included the first giant Sony Jumbotron TV screen for live game coverage and away match screenings. The capacity of the stadium increased to just over 33,000. In 1997/98 season the Paxton Road stand had a new upper tier added which included the second Jumbotron screen and increased capacity to 36,240 and was funded by a rights issue in 1996.^[4]

Minor amendments to the seating configuration were made in 2006 bringing the current capacity of the stadium to 36,310.

Stadium plans[link]

Northumberland Development Project[link]

The club stated in 2007 that it would announce it was considering options for increasing stadium capacity involving redevelopment of the current site or a move to a new site. Tottenham Hotspur advised in its 2007/8 Interim Financial Statement that the preferred option would be announced in the first half of 2008, but delayed this decision until the autumn.^[5]

In October 2008, the club announced that, if approved, it was planning to build the new stadium just to the north of the existing stadium at White Hart Lane, with the southern half of the new stadium's pitch located on the northwest corner of the Lane. The unique design of the build would allow the new stadium to be built adjacent to White Hart Lane as the old facility continues to be used for the team. During the summer after two thirds of the new stadium was complete, the northern and western stands would be demolished and a new pitch laid. The rest of the stadium would be built in the years to follow. Club chairman Daniel Levy announced in November 2009 that the new stadium will not adopt the White Hart Lane name, but will instead be named after a sponsor.^[6]

The club first submitted a planning application in October 2009, however following adverse reaction the application was withdrawn in favour of a substantially revised planning application in May 2010. Planning permission from Haringey Council to build a larger stadium and other associated developments utilising both the current White Hart Lane site and adjacent land which the club had purchased was eventually obtained (subject to negotiation of 'section 106' developer contributions)in September 2010.^[7] The Mayor of London gave his approval to the plans to redevelop the stadium on 25 November 2010. As an intervention by the UK Government was now considered unlikely, the Club decision to proceed or not is still awaited.^[8]

On 20 September 2011, planning permission was granted. ^[9]

Olympic Stadium[link]

Back in 2006 the club had also considered a move to a new site. One possibility for the club was the use the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Olympics. As this would have involved a move out of the Tottenham area and because the stadium was required to retain a running track, in October 2006 the plan was reported to have been dropped.^[10] However, on 1 October 2010 Chairman Daniel Levy advised that the club had registered an interest in bidding for the stadium in conjunction with AEG (Europe) to keep its options open whilst there remained uncertainties about the success of the Northumberland Development Project.^[7]

On 12 November 2010 the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) announced that the Tottenham Hotspur / AEG consortium had been shortlisted as one of the two preferred bidders to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Olympics.^[11] The OPLC announced on 11 February 2011 that West Ham had been selected as the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium, subject to final governmental ratification.^[12]

Crest[link]

Since the 1901 FA Cup final the Tottenham Hotspur crest has featured a cockerel. Harry Hotspur (from whom the club is said to take its name) was famed for his riding spurs and his fighting cocks were fitted with spurs which can be seen in the crests.^[13] In 1909 a former player named William James Scott made a bronze cast of a cockerel standing on a football to be placed on top of the West Stand and since then the cockerel and ball have been the major part of the club's identity.^[14]

Between 1956 and 2006 Spurs used a coat of arms featuring a number of landmarks and associations linked to local area. The lions flanking the shield came from the Northumberland family's arms. They owned large areas of Tottenham and Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) was a family member. The castle alludes to Bruce Castle located 400 yards from the ground and which now houses a museum. The trees are those of Seven Sisters which were planted at Page Green by the Seven Sisters of Tottenham and after whom a railway/tube station and main road are named. The arms featured the Latin motto Audere Est Facere.

In 1983, to overcome unauthorised "pirate" merchandising, the club's badge was altered by adding the two red heraldic lions and the motto scroll. This device appeared on most Spurs' playing kits for the next 23 years.

To rebrand and modernise the club's image, in 2006 both this club badge and the coat of arms gave way to a professionally designed logo/emblem.^[15] This revamp features a leaner and fitter cockerel and an old-time football together with the club name. The club claims that the rebranding kept much of the original meaning of the name, and emphasised its originality.^[16]

Kit[link]

1896–98

1890–96

1884–86

1883–84: First kit

The first Tottenham kit was navy blue shirt and shorts, but after the first season the club did not have one specific design for many years.^[17] In 1884 the club changed to a "quartered" kit similar in style to that of Blackburn Rovers.^[18] Shortly after moving to Northumberland Road, the kit changed again to red shirt and blue shorts. Five years later, after becoming a professional club, they switched to a chocolate and gold striped kit.

At the end of the 19th century the club switched colours yet again, to the white shirts and blue shorts which they are now well known for wearing, hence the nickname "Lilywhites". This colour choice is thought to be in homage to Preston North End who had recently done The Double.

White and navy blue have remained as the club's basic colours ever since. Soon after the First World War, the cockerel badge was added to the shirt. In 1939 numbers first appeared on shirt backs, and in 1983 Holsten became the first commercial sponsor logo to appear on the shirt. The club were the first to wear long-cut shorts, an innovation at a time where football kits all featured shorts cut well above the knee.^[19] When Thomson was chosen as kit sponsor in 2002 some Tottenham fans were unhappy as the logo on the front was red, the colour of their closest rivals, Arsenal FC.^[20] In 2006, Tottenham then succeeded in securing a record £34m sponsorship deal with internet casino group Mansion.^[21]

In July 2010 Tottenham announced that they had agreed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal with software infrastructure company Autonomy. The deal is said to be worth £20 million.^[22]

In August 2010 the north London club signed a deal with leading specialist bank and asset management firm Investec to become its official shirt sponsor for the Champions League and domestic cup competitions for the next two years. The deal was reportedly worth £5 million pounds.^[23][24]

In March 2011, Under Armour announced a five-year deal to supply shirts and other apparel to Tottenham starting at the beginning of the 2012–13 season, but terms of the deal were undisclosed.^[25]

Kit manufacturers[link]

• 1978–1980: Admiral
• 1980–1985: Le Coq Sportif
• 1985–1991: Hummel
• 1991–1995: Umbro
• 1995–1999: Pony
• 1999–2002: Adidas
• 2002–2006: Kappa
• 2006–2012: Puma
• 2012–2017: Under Armour

Shirt sponsors[link]

• 1882–1983: No sponsor
• 1983–1995: Holsten
• 1995–1999: Hewlett Packard
• 1999–2002: Holsten
• 2002–2006: Thomson Holidays
• 2006–2010: Mansion.com Casino & Poker
• 2010–2011: Autonomy Corporation (Premier League)^[26]
• 2011–2012: Aurasma^{1 [27]} (Premier League)
• 2010–2012: Investec Bank (Champions League, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Europa League)^[24][28]

¹ – Aurasma is a subsidiary of the Autonomy Corporation

Ownership[link]

From 2001 to 2011 shares in Tottenham Hotspur FC were listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM index). The majority shareholder was ENIC International Ltd, an investment company established by the British billionaire Joe Lewis. Daniel Levy, Lewis's partner at ENIC, is Executive Chairman of the club. Shareholding by ENIC was increased over this period through the purchase of the remaining 14.7% holding of former chairman Alan Sugar's .^[29] and those belonging to Stelios Haji-Ioannou who held a 9.9 per cent stake through Hodram Inc and sold them to ENIC by 2009, On 21 August 2009 the club reported that it had issued a further 30 million shares to fund the initial development costs of the new stadium project, and that 27.8 million of these new shares had been purchased by ENIC.^[30] The Annual Report for 2010 indicated that ENIC had acquired 76% of all Ordinary Shares and also held 97% of all convertible redeemable preference shares, equivalent to a holding of 85% of share capital.^[31]

According to the 2011 Annual Report, published in November 2011, ENIC had exercised its preference share options and held 181,793,258 ordinary shares in Tottenham Hotspur plc representing 85% of all those issued.^[32] However, at the 2011 AGM Chairman Levy announced that the board was intending to delist from the AIM exchange as the listing restricted the club's "ability to secure funding" in connection with the redevelopment of the White Hart Lane site known as the Northumberland Development Project. On 16 January 2012 the club announced that the club had been transferred into private ownership following the delisting of shares which had been implemented at of the close of dealing on the previous Friday the 13 January.^[33]

Support[link]

Tottenham against rivals Arsenal, known as the North London derby, in April 2010. Tottenham fans are singing to Sol Campbell after he left Tottenham and joined Arsenal in 2001.

Tottenham have a large fanbase in the United Kingdom, drawn largely from North London and the Home Counties. Five times between 1946 and 1969, Tottenham had the highest average attendance in England.^[34][35] There are also Tottenham supporters' clubs located all over the world. Tottenham were 9th in average attendances for the 2008/9 Premier League season, and 11th for all Premier League seasons.^[36] Famous historical supporters of the club have included such figures as A.J. Ayer.^[37][38] Tottenham supporters have rivalries with several clubs, mainly within the London area. The fiercest of these is with North London rivals Arsenal. They also share notable rivalries with fellow London clubs Chelsea and West Ham United.^[39]

The club, as with many clubs in London, has a large Jewish following and this has led to much anti-semitic provocation^[40][41] against Tottenham supporters. Tottenham supporters, Jewish and non-Jewish, united against this and adopted the nickname "Yids", developing chants to support this. Many fans view adopting "Yid" as a badge of pride, helping defuse its power as an insult.^[42] Today it is mainly used to distinguish Tottenham fans from other football supporters. Many fans, however, disagree with the use of the name "Yid", and believe it will only attract more racism.^[43] In April 2011, Jewish comedian, author and Chelsea-supporter^[44] David Baddiel produced a short film stating that the anti-semitic chanting is as unacceptable as the abuse still suffered by black footballers, and must be stamped out accordingly.^[45] A similar situation exists in Amsterdam with regards to Ajax fans.^[46]

Social responsibility[link]

The club through its Community Programme has, since 2006, been working with Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Housing Trust and the local community on developing sports facilities and social programmes which have also been financially supported by Barclays Spaces for Sport and the Football Foundation.^[47][48] The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation received high-level political support from the Prime Minister when it was launched at 10 Downing Street in February 2007.^[49]

In March 2007 the Club announced a partnership with the charity SOS Children's Villages UK.^[50] Player fines will go towards this charity’s children’s village in Rustenburg, South Africa with the funds being used to cover the running costs as well as in support of a variety of community development projects in and around Rustenburg. In the financial year 2006–07, Tottenham topped a league of Premier League charitable donations when viewed both in overall terms^[51] and as a percentage of turnover by giving £4,545,889, including a one-off contribution of £4.5 million over four years, to set up the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.^[52] This compared to donations of £9,763 in 2005–06.^[53]

This commitment is an example of professional sport supporting the communities and people who support and enrich them through their attendance and other participation and support.^[54][55]

The football club is one of the highest profile participants in the 10:10 project which encourages individuals, businesses and organisations to take action on environmental issues. They joined in 2009 in a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. To do this they upgraded their lights to more efficient models, they turned down their heating dials and took less short-haul flights among a host of other things.^[56] After working with 10:10 for one year, they reported that they had reduced their carbon emissions by an impressive 14%.^[56]

Tottenham Hotspur ladies[link]

Tottenham's ladies team was founded in 1985 as Broxbourne Ladies. They started using the Tottenham Hotspur name for the 1991/1992 season and played in the South-East & London Regional Women's League (the fourth tier of the game). They won promotion after topping the league in 2007/08, and currently play in the South East Combination Women's Football League (the third tier of the game).

Honours[link]

• For honours at youth level, see Tottenham Hotspur F.C. reserve and academy squads
• Full list of honours

Statistics and records[link]

Steve Perryman holds the appearance record for Spurs, having played 854 games for the club between 1969 and 1986, of which 655 were league matches.^[57][58] Jimmy Greaves holds the club goalscoring record with 266 goals in 380 league, cup and European appearances.^[59]

Tottenham's record league win is 9–0 against Bristol Rovers in the Second Division on 22 October 1977.^[60][61] The club's record cup victory came on 3 February 1960 with a 13–2 win over Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup.^[62] Spurs' biggest top-flight victory came against Wigan Athletic on 22 November 2009, when they won 9–1 with Jermain Defoe scoring five goals.^[61][63] The club's record defeat is an 8–0 loss to 1. FC Köln in the Intertoto Cup on 22 July 1995.^[64]

Players[link]

As of 14 February 2012^[65]

First team squad[link]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Heurelho Gomes 3 MF Gareth Bale 4 DF Younès Kaboul 6 MF Tom Huddlestone 7 MF Aaron Lennon 8 MF Scott Parker 11 MF Rafael van der Vaart 13 DF William Gallas 14 MF Luka Modrić 15 FW Louis Saha 17 FW Giovani dos Santos 18 FW Jermain Defoe 19 DF Sébastien Bassong 20 DF Michael Dawson (vice-captain) 21 MF Niko Kranjčar 22 DF Vedran Ćorluka

No. Position Player 23 GK Carlo Cudicini 24 GK Brad Friedel 25 MF Danny Rose 26 DF Ledley King (captain) 27 MF Iago Falqué 28 DF Kyle Walker 29 MF Jake Livermore 30 MF Sandro 31 MF Andros Townsend 32 DF Benoît Assou-Ekotto 33 DF Ryan Nelsen 36 DF Bongani Khumalo 38 MF David Bentley 40 MF Steven Pienaar 51 DF Adam Smith — MF Jermaine Jenas

Out on loan[link]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 42 FW Simon Dawkins (at San Jose Earthquakes)

Reserves and Academy[link]

Transfers[link]

For recent transfers, see 2011–12 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season.

Club management and support staff[link]

Manager Harry Redknapp

Role	Name
Manager	Harry Redknapp
Assistant manager	Kevin Bond
First team coach	Joe Jordan
Assistant first team coach	Tim Sherwood
Goalkeeping coach	Tony Parks
Striker coach	Les Ferdinand
Head physiotherapist	Geoff Scott

For reserve and academy staff, see Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Reserves and Academy

Club directors[link]

Role	Name[66]
Executive chairman	Daniel Levy
Finance director	Matthew Collecott
Non-executive director	Sir Keith Mills
Non-executive director	Kevan Watts

Former managers and players[link]

Managers and head coaches in club's history[link]

• Listed according to when they became managers for Tottenham Hotspur:

• (C) – Caretaker
• (FTC) – First Team Coach

Top 20 managers of the club's history[link]

Based on win % in all competitions

	Manager	Years	Played	Won	Win %
1	Frank Brettell	1898–1899	63	37	58.73
2	Arthur Turner	1942–1946	49	27	55.10
3	John Cameron	1899–1907	570	296	51.93
4	David Pleat 1	1986–1987	119	60	50.42
5	Bill Nicholson	1958–1974	832	408	49.03
6	Harry Redknapp	2008 – present	145	70	48.28
7	Arthur Rowe	1949–1955	283	135	47.70
8	Fred Kirkham	1907–1908	61	29	47.54
9	Jimmy Anderson 2	1955–1958	161	75	46.58
10	Percy Smith	1929–1935	253	109	46.38
11	Doug Livermore Ray Clemence	1992–1993	51	23	45.09
12	Martin Jol 3	2004–2007	150	67	44.67
13	Peter Shreeves	1984–1986 & 1991–1992	177	79	44.63
14	Jack Tresadern	1935–1938	146	65	44.52
15	Peter McWilliam	1913–1927 & 1938–1942	750	331	44.13
16	'The Directors'	1908–1913	231	99	42.86
17	Joe Hulme	1946–1949	150	64	42.67
18	Keith Burkinshaw	1976–1984	431	182	42.23
19	Terry Venables	1987–1991	165	67	40.61
20	Billy Minter	1927–1929	124	49	39.52

^{* Stats correct as of 30 June 2011}

¹ Includes caretaker manager stints in 1998, 2001 and 2003–04
² Includes short caretaker manager stint
³ Includes his one match as caretaker manager after Santini's resignation

Notable former players[link]

The following players are noted as Greats for their contributions to the club:^[67] The most recent two who have been added are Darren Anderton and Steffen Freund on 3 December 2009.^[68]

For other past players of note, see List of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players.

Club Player of Year[link]

As voted by Members and Season Ticket Holders. (Calendar year until 2005–06 season)

Affiliated clubs[link]

• Independiente del Valle^[69]
• SC Internacional
• San Jose Earthquakes
• South China AA^[70]
• Supersport United
• TOT S.C.^{[citation needed]}

Superleague Formula[link]

The Spurs car during Donington Park's 2008 round

Tottenham Hotspur has a team in the Superleague Formula race car series where football teams provide sponsorship and lend their name to racing teams. The Tottenham Hotspur team was operated by GTA Motor Competición in the 2008 season, however since the 2009 season Alan Docking Racing has operated the team. Tottenham have been on the podium fifteen times, including three wins, one at Zolder and two at Silverstone. In both the 2009 and 2010 seasons Tottenham Hotspur finished as runners up overall.

References[link]