Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

Tottenham Hotspur, also known as Spurs or the Lilywhites, have a long history in English football. The club was originally founded in 1882 as Hotspur FC by boys from a local grammar school who played at Tottenham Marshes. The name is thought to be associated with Sir Henry Percy who was also known as Harry Hotspur. Percy lived locally in the 14th century and his descendants still owned land in the area at that time. The club moved around several times in the next 18 years, finally ending up at their current location of High Road, Tottenham, on land that was rented from the brewery which owned the White Hart public house.

The club finally bought the ground in 1905 and spent the next 15 years adding a main stand and covering and extending the East stand. Following the FA Cup win in 1921 a new split-level stand was built at the Paxton Road end, followed by a similar stand at the Park Lane end two years later. This took capacity at the ground to over 58,000, with 40,000 under cover. The record attendance for any match at White Hart Lane is 75,038 for an FA Cup tie against Sunderland in 1938. The stadium is now, of course, all seating and at capacity can hold 36,310 fans. In recent times there has been talk of moving the club to both the old Wembley Stadium and also the Olympic stadium once the 2012 London games are over. Both of these options were ruled out by the club. Plans to increase the seating capacity at White Hart Lane to 50-60,000 or building a new stadium nearby are being discussed.

The first major trophy won by the club was the FA Cup in 1901. Since then Spurs have won an impressive array of silverware, including the FA 7 more times, the First Division twice, League Cup four times and the UEFA Cup twice to name just a few. Unfortunately, Spurs have yet to win the Premier League, with their best finish being 5th in the 05-06 season.

Since 1901, the club crest has been the cockerel wearing spurs. In 1909 William Scott made the bronze cast of the cockerel standing on a ball. This was placed on the roof of the West Stand, and has looked out over the pitch ever since. The club crest has changed a few times over the years, but the cockerel has always been the main feature.

You can view a full history of the club and its achievements here

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in a number of ways and are usually available one calendar month before the match date for home games. Ticket pricing is broken down into three match categories, A, B and C.

Category A matches: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, West Ham United
Category B Matches: Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland
Category C Matches: Fulham, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, WBA, Wigan Athletic

North Stand

Renovated in 1998, the 10,000 seat North Stand is known as the family or members' stand. Ticket prices range from £15 to £25 for juniors, and £28 to £48 for adults, depending on the category of match being played.

South Stand

Seating over 8,500 supporters, the South Stand on Park Lane was completed in the early 1990s. Ticket prices range from £28 to £48 depending on the category of match being played.

East Stand

Nicknamed The Shelf, the East Stand seats over 10,600 but suffers slightly from an obstructed view due to roof supports. Prices range from £31 to £65 depending on the category of match being played. Seats with partially obstructed views are shown as such on the tickets.

West Stand

Completed in the 1980's, the building of the West Stand went severely over budget and damaged the club finances badly. It seats over 6,800. Ticket prices range from £40 to £75 depending on the category of match being played.

Fans can purchase tickets in one of the following ways:

- Directly from the ticket office on Paxton Road, Monday - Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.

- By phone on 0844 844 0102 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5:00pm). There is a service charge of £2.00 and a transaction fee of £1.00 per ticket when booking by phone.

- Online Here. You will need to sign up for One Hotspur, the Tottenham Hotspur supporters' club.

If you purchase your ticket over the phone or online, you will need to take photo identification and the credit or debit card you used when you collect your ticket from the ticket office on Paxton Road. The club suggests you allow at least 90 minutes before kick off to collect your tickets. The ticket office is open 4 hours before kick off, and stays open until half time.

Ticket Exchange

Season ticket holders can make their seat available for purchase if they are unable to make it to a particular home match by using the Ticket Exchange Scheme. This should result in more seats being available for other fans.

Disabled Seating

The ground has accessible seating for disabled supporters in the North, West and South stands. Disabled ticket prices follow the standard pricing structure. Disabled fans are allowed one carer or assistant with them who will be admitted free of charge.

North Stand

56 places for wheelchair users and their carers situated in the Lower Tier
16 places for Ambulant supporters and carers situated in the Lower Tier
12 places for wheelchair users and their carers situated in the Upper Tier

South Stand

24 places for wheelchair users and their carers situated in the Lower Tier
24 places for Ambulant supporters and their carers situated in the Lower Tier

West Stand

14 places for Ambulant supporters and their carers situated in the Lower Tier

You can contact the Disability Liaison Officer on 0208 365 5161 for further details.

Getting There

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
Bill Nicholson Way
748 High Road
Tottenham
London
N17 0AP

By Train

White Hart Lane mainline station can be reached via Seven Sisters on the Victoria Line Tube. Buses run regularly from Seven Sisters to the stadium. There are direct trains from both Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale tube stations to Liverpool Street Station. Taxis are available outside Tottenham Hale station to take you to the stadium.

By Car

Driving to the ground from outside London, you need get onto the M25 and head for junction 25. From there you join the A406 (the North Circular). The stadium is roughly a mile south of the A406 on Tottenham High Road (the A1010) and is very well signposted. If coming from the City, follow the A10 until it meets the A1010. There is a controlled parking zone around the stadium which comes into effect on match days. Non-residents are not permitted to park on the streets within the zone unless they have a valid Blue Badge parking permit.

There is limited complimentary parking at the stadium for Valid Blue Badge holders. These are given on a first come first served basis and cannot be reserved. The disabled parking can be found at the West Stand and Paxton Road car parks.

By Bus

Several services run along Tottenham High Road and stop close to the ground. Look for Services 149, 259, 279 and 349 for Tottenham High Road. Services 318, W3 and W4 all pass along White Hart Lane.

By Air

Direct connections to Tottenham Hale station are available from Stansted Airport, which is about 30 minutes away from the stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur First Team Profiles

Juande Ramos - Manager

Since taking over a struggling Tottenham in 2007, Ramos has proved to be unafraid of shaking things up. The Spanish former player has brought in a number of good signings and hasn't held back from removing dead wood. Despite the loss of prolific scorer, Robbie Keane to Liverpool, Ramos remains confident about the 2008-09 season. A new regiment of diet and fitness seems to have already helped the club fight their way out of the relegation zone. Ramos joined Spurs following a successful spell at Seville where he won the UEFA Cup twice in consecutive years and beat Real Madrid to win the UEFA Super Cup in 2007. The Spaniard has managed ten teams before coming to Spurs, and is undeniably experienced

Daniel Levy - Chairman

Levy replaced Sir Alan Sugar as chairman of Tottenham in 2001 after his sports and media company, ENIC Group, bought a controlling share in the club. The company has previously held shares in Glasgow Rangers, Slavia Prague and Vicenza. Despite appointing a string of unimpressive managers, the life-long Spurs fan is widely praised as having had a significant effect on the fortunes of the club and has pushed hard to improve both the ground and training facilities.

Goalkeepers

Heurelho Gomes

Nationality: Brazilian
Tottenham's £7m summer signing is part of the radical reshaping going on at the club. This Brazilian international had a successful 2007-08 season with PSV, conceding just 24 goals in 34 league games. Nicknamed the Octopus, 6ft 5in Gomes looks set to be a firm favourite with fans. Gomes started his career at Cruzeiro in Brazil before moving to PSV in 2004. He is well known for his acrobatic saves, as well as his expressive celebrations when his team scores.

Cesar Sanchez

Nationality: Spanish
The Spanish stopper started his career at Real Valladolid, and quickly earned his first international cap in 2000. Since then he has gone on to have successful spells at Real Madrid, where he helped the team to win the 2002 Champions League, and finally Real Zaragoza. The experienced summer 2008 signing is likely to act as a back up to Gomes during the 2008-09 season.

Ben Alnwick

Nationality: English
Alnwick has been with the club since 2007 after a £900,000 move from Sunderland, where he started his career. The young goalkeeper has yet to break into regular first team action at Spurs due to the consistent performance of Paul Robinson and Radek Cerny, and has subsequently spent time on loan to both Luton Town and a fairly successful spell at Leicester City in 2007-08. Ben was called up to the England under-21's in 2006, but had to wait until the match against Romania in August 2007 to make his international debut.

Defenders

Young-Pyo Lee

Nationality: South Korean
Lee enjoyed great success at PSV Eindhoven and was regarded as one of the best Left-Backs in Holland during the 2004-05 season. On moving to Spurs in summer 2005, the South Korean international suffered a slight loss of form but went on to play a key role in 2007-08, plugging the gap left by the injured Bale and Assou-Ekotto. He made a respectable 30 appearances and performed consistently until called away to join his national team for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He could become a key player at the back.

Paul Stalteri

Nationality: Canadian
After starting his career in Canada, Stalteri was spotted by Werder Bremen and moved to the club in 1998, helping the German side win the Bundesliga in 2004, before moving to Spurs the following year. Despite a promising first season at the club, Stalteri has suffered from both fitness and injury problems in the 06-07 and 07-08 seasons that followed. He made just seven appearances for Tottenham last season, before being loaned to Fulham where he helped them to escape relegation.

Dorian Dervite

Nationality: French
After joining the club from Lille OSC in 2006, Dervite made a big impression before suffering a serious knee injury in early 2007. After several months recovering, the talented Frenchman looked like he was on his way back, playing well with the reserves. Unfortunately he has since suffered from more injuries, which have kept him sidelined. He will be hoping to be fit for the 2008-09 season.

Gilberto

Nationality: Brazilian
Brazilian international Gilberto (or Gilberto da Silva Melo to give him his full title) joined the club from Hertha Berlin during the Jan 08 transfer window and settled in with seven appearances and one goal before joining the Brazilian squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Gilberto has played for several clubs in his native Brazil as well as having had a short stay at Serie A giants Inter Milan. Despite being the wrong side of 30, the Brazilian promises to be a useful signing once he fully settles into English football.

Gareth Bale

Nationality: Welsh
Cardiff-born Bale started his professional career at Southampton aged just 16, the Saints' second youngest player ever. Shortly afterwards, in 2006, he became the youngest ever Welsh international and followed that up by becoming their youngest ever scorer. He looked to be Spurs' signing of the 07-08 season, but unfortunately, goals against Fulham, Arsenal and Middlesbrough were followed by an injury playing against Newcastle and another against Birmingham, ending his debut season early.

Michael Dawson

Nationality: English
Playing an impressive 57 of 59 games in the 06-07 season and, despite injury, 40 of 57 in the 07-08, Dawson is a consistent and popular face in the Tottenham squad. Hampered by injury in his debut season, Michael's performance in the following season earned him a late call up as standby for England's 2006 World Cup Team. He has formed a good partnership with Ledley King, but managed just as well when King was out injured and has even stood in as captain during the FA Cup quarter final tie with Chelsea.

Ledley King - Captain

Nationality: English
England International King is both captain and the longest serving member of Tottenham's playing staff. He joined the club in 1997 as a trainee and made the first team in 1999. Apart from a short spell in central midfield, King has been a mainstay of the Tottenham defence since that time. He performed superbly for his country in the Euro 2004 finals, but lost his place in the England 2006 World Cup side due to a fractured bone in his foot.

Alan Hutton

Nationality: Scottish
Since joining the club from Glasgow Rangers during the January 08 transfer window, Full-Back Hutton has impressed fans with some solid displays in the first team. The Scottish international played 15 games for Spurs during the second half of the season and looks set to be a regular in the line up for 08-09. He made his international début for Scotland in 2007 and has featured in matches against Austria, Faroe Islands and Lithuania.

Benoit Assou Ekotto

Nationality: Cameroonian
French-born Assou Ekotto, who chose to play for the Cameroon international team, started his career at French side RC Lens. Following his £3.5m move to Spurs in 2006, he missed almost half of his debut season due to a knee injury. Ekotto previously helped the French side reach the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, before they were knocked out by Udinese. If this highly-rated French full-back can stay injury free, he could be a useful member the squad.

Ricardo Rocha

Nationality: Portuguese
Rocha made a name for himself at Portuguese club SC Braga, before moving to giants Benfica in 2001. Following a successful time there, the Portuguese international signed for Spurs in 2007 and looked to be fitting into the squad well. Injury, however, saw him spend most of the second half of the 07-08 season either sidelined or playing with the reserves. This versatile defender will be welcomed back into the squad for the coming season.

Jonathan Woodgate

Nationality: English
The England International started his career at Middlesbrough but quickly moved to Leeds United aged 16. Since then he has moved around quite a lot and has played for Newcastle, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough again before signing for Spurs. After joining the squad in January 08, Woodgate quickly made his mark by scoring the winning goal in the League Cup final against Chelsea in February, earning himself Man of the Match in the process. Jonathan picked up his seventh England cap against Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly in June 08.

Chris Gunter

Nationality: Welsh
This highly-rated young Welsh international joined Tottenham from Cardiff City during the January 08 transfer window. Gunter made his Spurs debut against Reading in the third round of the FA Cup and went on to play a handful of first team games and several for the reserves towards the end of his first season. The former Cardiff City Apprentice of the Year is a promising prospect for the 2008-09 season.

Midfield

Luka Modric

Nationality: Croatian
This former Bosnian Player of the Year (a title earned at just 18 whilst on loan in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier league) joined the club in July 2008 for £16.5m despite being chased by Chelsea and Manchester City amongst others. Touted as one of the players of Euro 2008, Modric is undeniably a class act and has helped his former club Dynamo Zagreb win their league for the past three years. The Croatian should make a big impression at Tottenham over the coming season.

David Bentley

Nationality: English
Bentley started his career in the Arsenal Academy, before spending time on loan at Norwich and then Blackburn. The move to Blackburn became permanent in 2006 and he went on to make 133 appearances for the club. He has represented England at Under-20, Under-21 and now senior levels. David was the first Englishman to score at the new Wembley Stadium, in an Under-21's match against Italy. He joined Spurs in July 2008 for an impressive £15m.

Didier Zokora

Nationality: Ivorian (Ivory Coast)
Zokora joined the club from French side AS Saint Etienne after the 2006 World Cup, where he impressed against some tough opponents. The Ivory Coast international fitted in well at Tottenham and made 42 appearances in all competitions in his debut season. Zokora is a firm favourite with fans, well known for his aggressive attacking runs, and was the only player to start in all 10 UEFA Cup games during 2007-08.

Jermaine Jenas - Vice Captain

Nationality: English
Jermaine joined Spurs in 2005 from Newcastle, where he made 152 appearances and scored 12 goals. The young England International appeared in 45 of 57 games for Tottenham in 2007-08 and impressed all with his energy and work-rate. His consistently good performances earned him a call up to Capello's England squad in 2008. He scored the first goal for England with Capello as coach and looks set to be a regular in the National side for the foreseeable future.

Hossam Ghaly

Nationality: Egyptian
After joining from Feyenoord in January 2006, the Egyptian midfielder had to wait several months before he made his debut at Old Trafford. Ghaly appeared 34 times in his first season at Spurs, but has spent much of 2007-08 on loan to Derby County after his reaction to being substituted in a match against Blackburn when he threw his No. 14 shirt on the floor.

Kevin-Prince Boateng

Nationality: German
This former German Young Player of the Year and Fritz Walter Gold Medal winner joined Tottenham from German side Hertha Berlin in July 2007, and has appeared a respectable 21 times in all competitions since making his debut against Middlesbrough in November of that year. Boateng has without doubt gained good experience in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Cup and is certainly a player to watch in 2008-09.

Adel Taarabt

Nationality: French
Taarabt joined Tottenham full time in 2007 after spending several months on loan from RC Lens. He has had few starts so far, but has made an impact as a substitute on several occasions, impressing the crowd with some flashes of brilliance. The young Frenchman, who can play in a variety of positions, has represented his country at under-16, 17 and 18 level and is well known for his skilful control of the ball.

Tom Huddlestone

Nationality: English
Tom signed for Tottenham in 2005, but has spent time on loan with Derby and Wolves and did not make his first start for Spurs until late 2006. Despite being just 21, Tom has gained considerable experience thanks to 26 caps at international youth level. He made 43 appearances and scored four goals across all competitions in 2007-08, and started in seven of Spurs' ten UEFA Cup matches. He was called up for Fabio Capello's England squad in 2008 and played against Trinidad and Tobago and USA.

Jamie O'Hara

Nationality: English
After a spell on loan with Millwall, this young Tottenham Academy player came back with a bang, helping to set up the winning goal on his debut and then another during the League Cup quarter final against Manchester City. O'Hara's first goal in a Spurs' shirt came in February 2008 against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup. Voted Young Player of the Season in 2008, O'Hara is a great prospect for the club and set to go from strength to strength.

Aaron Lennon

Nationality: English
Despite being one of the shortest players in the Premier League, Lennon more than makes up for his lack of height with his incredible bursts of speed. He made history as the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League whilst at Leeds and has been nominated as PFA Young Player of the Year twice, only losing out to Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo. Lennon is well settled at Spurs, appearing in 47 of 57 match in 2007-08.

John Bostock

Nationality: English
The 16 year-old signed for Spurs in May 2008 after starting his career at just 15 with Crystal Palace, where he was their youngest player ever to start a game. He has played for the England under-16 and captained the under-17 team. Bostock made his Tottenham debut pre-season, crossing to Aaron Lennon for the opening goal, in their 8-0 win over Tavernes.

Strikers

Giovani Dos Santos

Nationality: Mexican
At just 19, Dos Santos is already breaking into the Mexican international squad, following successful under-17 and under-20 World Championship appearances. Signed for Spurs from Barcelona in June 2008, this gifted young player will be looking to replace the goal machine Keane in the hearts of the fans. He performed well in pre-season 08-09, scoring twice against Tavernes and again in the match against Borussia Dortmund.

Dimitar Berbatov

Nationality: Bulgarian
Berbatov started his professional career at CSKA Sofia, but was quickly spotted by German side Bayer Leverkusen. Following his signing from Leverkusen in May 2006, the Bulgarian scored an impressive 23 goals in his first season at Tottenham and followed up with another 23 in 2007-08, including a penalty in the League Cup final. He is sure to miss his partnership with Robbie Keane, but might be able to work with either Bent or Dos Santos just as well.

Darren Bent

Nationality: English
Darren started his career at Ipswich Town before moving to Charlton Athletic. He signed for Spurs in June 2007 but found it tough to break into regular first team starts in 07-08 due to the impressive goal scoring partnership of Keane and Berbatov. If he can slot in beside the Brazilian Dos Santos in the coming season, he certainly has the strength and pace to do some damage to premiership defences. Bent has an impressive goal scoring record for the England under-21 side, with 8 goals in 14 appearances.

Top five Scorers

Dimitar Berbatov - 34
Jermaine Jenas - 20
Ledley King - 11
Aaron Lennon - 9
Tom Huddlestone - 7