Our club, history, fans, future and AVB

[Shea]

My dad is probably in a similar position to the OP - he became a Spurs fan when Greaves was first at the club, I believe shortly after the double winning team (my dad was a short sighted glory hunter I assume)

My maternal granfather (RIP) was a Spurs fan a generation before that - so obviously I was never given the luxury of CHOOSING my team it was thurst upon me (the day I was let out the hospital I was put in a 1981 spurs shirt and before that there was a spurs scarf on the incubator at the hospital (at least for a photo moment)

My personally memories of Spurs and success - well they're mostly of an absence of success.

I am too young to remember the FA cup wins of the early 80s or even the Uefa triumph in 84. I never saw Greaves, Ossie, Hoddle or the like

1987 is the first year I was old enough to watch - the first time I went to the Lane (the season after Hoddle left and Waddle was the star) I remember the signing of Gazza and Lineker and of course the 1990 cup win bringing glory and hope back to a club under the shadow of bankrupcy and ceasing to exist

I've been a season ticket holder and been away and into Europe to watch our team, I've been to Wembley and seen us lift the Carling cup (over CHelsea no less) but I agree I've never really seen the club be successful

I don't know about young fans having it worse - certainly worse than those who saw real success in the 60s,70s, 80s etc but at least a truly young fan didn't have to watch the Sugar era (the dark ages) a club chasing its tail with manager after manager taking the club no closer to success than the last

I think since Jol became manager we as a club have consistently been moving forward as a unit under Levy (well Ramos period excluded but that did bring silverware)

We've seen great players, great football, been challenging in the league towards the top end - qualifed for Europe season in season out (something we from the Sugar era could only dream of via the Intertoto or fair play league lol)

I am and always have been proud of being a Spurs fan - even growing up in west london we were a laughing stock of a club amoungst rival fans I was still proud - its obviously a lot easier to be a Spurs fan for the younger fan as while still not successful per say we're far from a laughing stock, we're a force to be respected with the potential to challenge

I agree its great that we as a club have held on to the core level of support we've got through out the years with little to no success and I am sure in recent times our fan base has grown as we've become more relevant in the league (games on the last day of the season now often focus on us because of what it means to OUR season not just because we're playing Utd to see if THEY win the league etc)

I think the lack of success does make eventual success more sweet - Utd and Chelsea fans now just expect success and even Arsenal would likely view the Carling cup as a win of little merit - where as it meant everything to us that day in Feb 2008. I hope its made us as a club hungry for more success and I hope the accending path we've been on finally leads us to some real success

I really hope I get to see us win the league at least once in my life time

Oh yea- to the poster who's dad was Chelsea and took him to the Lane - he truly is an amazing father because come the day I have children they can either support Spurs or make their own arrangements to watch matches lol

 

[robbiedee]

I just about remember the 81/82 cup wins, I definitely remember the 87 defeat to Cov and the 3-1 semi final win is more memorable to me than the final in 91 - Gazza's free kicks, beating the Arse and singing 3-1, we beat the scum 3-1 to all the gooners at school...Happy days.

Now though even without winning a great deal (Worthington cup - the prince of the park Ginola ahhhh) and the carling cup, possibly the only thing Ramos delivered of any note ...we still as a team get the interest form media and opposition fans alike because of the 'Tottenham Brand of football.'

Now though it's different, I've convinced my son for the last 5 years that Spurs are the only team he could possibly follow and this seems to be rubbing off on my daughter too, although she does like the colour red (I did set her straight last week when she announced she wanted the red team to win...no soap and water was needed but I was close)

Its a great time for kids to be spurs fans, (IMHO) we play some of the most entertaining football and I firmly believe we're on the cusp of great things.

My only quibble, and it's a small one...each season is becoming a bit of learning curve for my two kids; Who's that? Thats Luca Modric...he's brilliant! Who's that? Thats Rafa VDV...we love him. Who's that? Ledley king...he's got wooden knees and he's still the best defender EVER. Whos that? Bale, Adebayor, Super Jan etc etc

Then I get where Luca? Wheres VDV? Where's Harry Knappknapp? (my daughters favourite) And now Why has Bale gone to RM?

Bless them - 7 new signings to explain over the next few weeks...exciting times, and I hope if I big them up those players will return the favour and deliver some great football sprinkled with success.

This season is going to be good...I've got this funny feeling, I can't explain it, it's different to other seasons...somethings bubbling and it smells good!!! COYS

 

[Tottenham_God]

I'm 20 and a born and bread Australian growing up as a hardcore west coast eagles supporter (AFL) I have followed Tottenham passionately for the last decade, winning the Carling cup was a big thing as I did cop abit of flack from the few soccer (I know) followers over here who follow pool, man u, chelsea or the arse. We as a club have now gained alot of respect on and off the field and I've never been more proud to be a spurs supporter.

 

[balalasaurus]

not really a biggy for me,... they did not spend that money taking OUR players

But they did take our place. Undeservedly I might add. I mean let's be honest they would still be in mid table mediocrity if it wasn't for their Sheikh. Now they're competing for the title and playing in the champions league (much more poorly than we ever did despite our brief foray) when we all know that it's all down to absolute luck and chance and not the hard work that we've put in over time. Surely that must rub you the wrong way? I know it pisses me off! And when you think of it how many players have the chavs taken from us either? What applies to them must surely apply to shitty no?

 

[Gassin's finest]

Started following Spurs when I was 7, being a huge fan of Hoddle, Waddle and later Gazza. Spurs always seemed to have supremely talented players as a child, and while everyone in the playground would be running around with Liverpool or Everton tops, I went for the cultured stylings of the Lilywhites, culminating in that high point of '91. Little did I know how dark things would get over the next 15 years!

I always quote Peter Cook when describing life as a Yido; "It's like being married to a bad woman. You know she'll let you down, that she'll treat you bad, but you keep going back to her"

Nevertheless there is something, especially since we literally started again from scratch when Santini/Jol and Edgar Davids pitched up, some kind of romantic aura that goes with this club, that hearkens back to that old love of the game coupled with the feel of a community club, that rarely exists in the top flight anymore. And I'm not even a Londoner!

 

[Lighty64]

I was born in Islington, and brought up in Hornsey. My uncle used to travel down from Bletchley when we were at home games to pick my sister up and take her to see Spurs. My dad never supported any football team and neither did my oldest sister. In our street and area you either supported Spurs or the nomads.

For my 6th Xmas my sister bought me the full kit for Xmas. I never forget I woke up to see the ground covered in snow, and then opened my presents to see that I'd got the Spurs kit and that was the best present I ever had. I played all morning in the snow, then later went to visit my mum in a hospice, still in my football kit. Might of even tried wearing my football boots lol.

I remember as a kid all going round my friends house on a Sunday to watch the highlights of Spurs v Norwich when we won 1-0 in the Final of the League Cup, Ralph Coates scoring the winner.

A few years later my dad remarried and my step mum lived in Tottenham, I didn't want to move at the time, so my sister made my decision a little easier, she would take me to see Spurs play if I was a good boy :0). She did as promised and we lost 2-1 to Sheffield Utd. That season I went to a few, and will never forget the atmosphere when Grasshopers Zurich in a UEFA cup match. We went on to reach the final v Feynoord, but My dad wouldn't let me go as it was a school night and my sister couldn't take me. I could hear the atmosphere from my bedroom, but had to wait till the morning to find out the score.

The season after that dad used to let me go alone, amazing really lived about a mile from the ground and as a 10yr old it was safe for me to go all that way without an adult. I doubt I missed more than a handful of games at home over the next 10yrs, then eventually my job did start getting in the way. I've seen us at Wembley and Steve Perryman lifting the trophy, a player that makes 99.9% of today's players an Embarressment when they kiss the badge.

I was gutted when Sugar sacked Venables, I really started to have high hopes that we would go on a run of trophies, and be regularly challenging the top.

I just hope that AVB now has players, and squad that's needed to compete at the highest level, and for many years

 

[wishkah]

I think the young fans have it worse because the game has changed.

No longer can you hold a team together for x years and build, depending on your ability to scout. Now money is at the forefront. because we are not competing £ on £ i don't know how we get to the top and stay there.

good OP!

 

[Kendall]

Well I'm still not convinced that AVB is the man everybody seems to think he is. As I've said before, I think whilst it was AVB who did allow Bale the role he wanted, it was Bale who seemed to, in my opinion anyway, mask a lot of poor/slow/laboured performances last year with his elements of individual brilliance. The pressure really is on for AVB because we've never had a more talented, quality in depth squad as we have now and I'm expecting us to look a lot better than we have in the opening 3 fixtures - and quickly.

 

[spud]

I know we live in a much different era, but would Cliff Fletcher be a Spurs legend nowadays,... or just another transfer footnote?......

Here are a few players I read about and have seen video of old games that I like (naming just a few):

Greavsie, Fletcher, Chivers, Blanchflower, and Jennings.

Who is Cliff Fletcher? Never heard of him.

Do you mean Cliff Jones?

 

[sim0n]

But they did take our place. Undeservedly I might add. I mean let's be honest they would still be in mid table mediocrity if it wasn't for their Sheikh. Now they're competing for the title and playing in the champions league (much more poorly than we ever did despite our brief foray) when we all know that it's all down to absolute luck and chance and not the hard work that we've put in over time. Surely that must rub you the wrong way? I know it pisses me off! And when you think of it how many players have the chavs taken from us either? What applies to them must surely apply to shitty no?

Nope, not for me. In general, did you H8 Blackburn for winning the league over Spurs? Citeh is the same thing, spent loads of dosh and won the league - yippy!! Chavs are local rivals with large cash infusion and latest to grab willian,... could say hazard as well, but they are a local rival. Who even ares about citeh?.... I had manUre on the list as old red nose skrued Spurs at evey turn, disallowed Mendes goal, and Berbatov.... see that? citeh just don't make the cut,.... can't H8 everyone - that makes it a bit boring...

The Colonel (sim0n): All that hate's gonna burn you up, kid.
Robert (balalasaurus): It keeps me warm.

 

[sim0n]

Who is Cliff Fletcher? Never heard of him.

Do you mean Cliff Jones?

Sadly and unconsciously typed my uncle's name in there as a complete brain cramp

Indeed, clearly meant Cliff Jones,... edited now - cheers for that

 

[D-Man]

It's the hope that kills you season after season.

I've seen us like few others on here since the late 60's. I've seen FA Cup's, League Cups, UEFA Cups, at one stage Wembley was becoming a second home. I remember the old song...Tell me ma me ma to put the champagne on ice we're going to Wembley twice tell me ma me ma.

These were great days and I suppose we thought it would never end but it has and it really hurts, but that's what being a Spurs fan is all about, as I said in my opening statement its the hope that kills you, but I wouldn't have it any other way COYS

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Small point to raise for history/fans and current atmosphere, the most despised clubs in opposition to Spurs are now:

#1 @RSEN@L, for then, now, and always
2- Chel$ki for all obvious reasons...
3- West Ham, they could be higher if they were any competition...
4- Real Madrid, H8 them now... they could climb up the list when we start meeting them in the CL
5- manUre,... they're just so "Blah" without old red face...
6- liverpool,... they could climb as well if they start competing for top 4....
7- Feyenoord,... bad blooded history still could get stirred up in EUROPA League
8+ other london clubs,.... none other than the above are really of issue...

It's a fundamental element of being US, to accurately identify THEM,.... and in order of importance

I know we live in a much different era, but would Cliff Jones be a Spurs legend nowadays,... or just another transfer footnote?

Since Spurs do not have an overflowing trophy case, I admire the "firsts" under Bill Nicholson and celebrating the wonderful players of the past. Here are some players/managers from the OLD school dark ages of Spurs that interest me:

Vivian Woodward, John Cameron, and "Bristol" Jones (happens to be my great grand Dad)...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Jones_(footballer_born_1874)

Here are a few players I read about and have seen video of old games that I like (naming just a few):

Greavsie, Jones, Chivers, Blanchflower, and Jennings.

First started viewing "live" games aound 1980 and remembering Hoddle, Ardiles, Villa, and Perryman as the Spurs team I remember as a kid.

From that time forward we all know the teams and the names with Gazza, Waddle, Lineker, etc...

As for latest accomplishments, the 2008 Carling Cup victory and the CL run stand out most in my mind -- great memories. I think top 3 is possible this season, with a little luck, in combination with a real shot at both the FA Cup and/or EUROPA League championship.... time will tell.

COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who is Fletcher ?

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Sadly and unconsciously typed my uncle's name in there as a complete brain cramp

Indeed, clearly meant Cliff Jones,... edited now - cheers for that

Cliff Jones absolute legend.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Born Farningham Road behind the ground.

Taken to a game age 4 by mum in 1950.

Seen it all since then.

 

[spud]

Nope, not for me. In general, did you H8 Blackburn for winning the league over Spurs? Citeh is the same thing, spent loads of dosh and won the league - yippy!! Chavs are local rivals with large cash infusion and latest to grab willian,... could say hazard as well, but they are a local rival. Who even ares about citeh?.... I had manUre on the list as old red nose skrued Spurs at evey turn, disallowed Mendes goal, and Berbatov.... see that? citeh just don't make the cut,.... can't H8 everyone - that makes it a bit boring...

Hating any team - I mean hating rather than disliking - is pointless and self-destructive. But if you have a list of teams that you 'hate', and part of the reason for that is that they have damaged Spurs, then Man City has to be on it. Like Chelski they have bought the league with somebody else's money, and in doing so have been in the top four at our expense. Citeh were previously a 'yoyo club', having dropped down two divisions in fairly recent memory. Until they were bought they were - in league terms - insignificant. If they hadn't acquired a sugar daddy we would have been in the CL every season since our first time. They have hindered our development - probably more than that of any other club.

I've always had a soft spot for Citeh - they were analagous to us in having a great history but recently living in the shadow of a more successful neighbour. Their fans (not the plastics) were good, and loyal, too. I still don't dislike them, but you can't leave them off of a list of clubs that have harmed Spurs.

 

[Pauleta01]

Grew up in Phillip Lane (near the ground) - was taken to Spurs for the 1st time in 1984 by my Dad and we had a season ticket on the 'shelf in 87' to my mind still the best Spurs team I have seen (I was taken to the 84 Uefa final but did not really remember anything other than waiting 2-3 hours to get into the ground), I remember being taken away to West Ham during that 87 season and us winning 5-0 it was dream stuff! After that I became ok at football myself and played a lot so only went sporadically (5-6 times a year) until injury stopped me from playing and I got a season ticket for Hoddle's 1st full season as manager (wanted to throw the ticket at him early on in the second season).

I would say between 1993 and 2005 it truly was the decade and a bit where the rest of the world forgot Spurs, we were utter sh@t and every year I would build up hope where there was none to be found. It is why I will never bash Harry as two years ago it was the best team I had seen since 87. Jol and Harry go down in Spurs folklore for me for allowing us to get back on track.

I hope AVB is the man for the 'project' but one thing about both Jol and Harry was they understood what it meant to adhere to a Spurs tradition, I am not sure AVB cares about or indeed understands it (as much as I like the guy). I remeber Jol being appointed soon after Billy Nic died and he spoke long and hard about the tradition at the club and how he wanted to restore it, and to an extent I felt like he did, he was often found wanting, but it was the first time we could truly feel proud about the team for a decade or so!

My eldest son is 10 and is Spurs mad, which stems from him having no choice, the magic of the lane thrust upon him since the age of 5 and the fact his opinion of Spurs is based on the likes of VDV, Modric, Bale and Vertonghen so much better than growing up with Vega, Nethercott, Gray and Durie!

One thing I know, as much as I try to convince myself I am a grown up now and I should not let the Spurs result generally dictate my feelings for the rest of the weekend or week a win or a loss still provokes the same feelings they did 25 years ago!

 

[Tottenham_God]

Well I'm still not convinced that AVB is the man everybody seems to think he is. As I've said before, I think whilst it was AVB who did allow Bale the role he wanted, it was Bale who seemed to, in my opinion anyway, mask a lot of poor/slow/laboured performances last year with his elements of individual brilliance. The pressure really is on for AVB because we've never had a more talented, quality in depth squad as we have now and I'm expecting us to look a lot better than we have in the opening 3 fixtures - and quickly.

Who would you prefer to AVB?

 

[tippspur59]

I'm the same as the OP,started out as a Greaves worshipper.any time I see a young fan with a Spurs shirt on I try to encourage them best I can to keep the faith. It can't be easy these days with all the United,City and Chelsea band wagoners.

 

[guiltyparty]

All my dad's family is Spurs. He grew up equidistant between the Lane and the Arse in the 50s, hit footie interest age as we were entering our double-era team, and the rest is history.

I grew up in the north-west suburbs yet was only ever going to be Spurs. Greaves, Mackay, Gilzean, Chivers, Peters, these were names drilled into me. There's a pic of me as a baby wrapped in the 81 final shirt during some pub celebrations for the FA Cup win. My dad got me a Spurs mirror to commemorate the Uefa Cup victory before I knew what a Uefa Cup was.

I acquired scarves like they were going out fashion. I remember watching Glenn Hoddle run through the entire Oxford defence in the Milk Cup while actually drinking milk and agreeing with myself that shirts should always be worn outside the shorts.

My first game was Man City in 86 (1-0, Graham Roberts). First kit was the arrowed and striped Hummel number. First proper in-the-flesh hero was Clive Allen – 49 goals in a bloody season. First assembled team I really called my own was the 1989/90 side that finished 3rd – Lineker, Gazza, Guy Butters, wore out the season video. FA Cup victory in 1991. Life began rosy as.

Then… nothing. For ages. The greatest victory in the following quite-a-few years was Alan Sugar's incredible overturning of the huge fine, points deduction and FA Cup ban we were hit with for previous financial irregularity. That felt like winning a cup in itself. Was huge. I remember staying up to watch the late-night news especially, and I never watched the news when I was 14. The things we did to entertain ourselves.

Since? Well, the league cups were great days out and thoroughly enjoyed, but were exceptions to the time's rule of mediocrity. Graham was always a difficult sell, Ramos I still haven't really figured out, Francis and Ossie both also comical figureheads in hindsight, though the famous five was as fun as a very fun thing. I even convinced myself Dumitrescu was the best player in the world. Of course, it was probably Klinsmann.

Gross? Speak for yourself.

Fast forward: I loved Jol as a bloke, was a refreshing period of getting our house back in order and feeling like a team again, that 'us against the world' mentality. I didn't like Harry's personality at all, but he produced some of the best football we'd played in years, which I decided was more important, and this continual improvement over the last decade has got us here.

AVB looks and acts the part, and importantly Levy thinks so too, and is backing him. I'm cautious at getting too carried away as football nowadays isn't what it was, and he may be off next year to pastures more attractive at the flick of a chequebook, or alternatively offed if results drop dramatically. But we're now genuine up-the-top-of-the-league contenders again and for half my lifetime that seemed least likely of all, so it's hard not to feel pretty good about where we are right now. Though still a lot to prove.