Tottenham is a club driven by success and loyalty. They play with flair, passion, and style, and are proud of the rich history tied to their name. They’ve enjoyed significant success over the years, with numerous domestic and international trophies to their name, including two UEFA Cups, two English League Cups, and two FA Cups. Continue reading to learn more about the Spurs!

Club History

Spurs history can be traced all the way back to 1882, when the club was formed by a couple of grammar schoolboys in Tottenham, England. The name of ‘Hotspur FC’ was adopted right away, but they officially became ‘Tottenham Hotspur FC’ in 1884. Since they were essentially a schoolboy team to begin with, many of the players in early Spurs history were young teenagers. They would play against teams of their own age group but occasionally they would take on adult clubs. With steady progress, and multiple changes to their team colors, they finally went professional in 1895.

Despite their attempts to join a Football League, that professional status had been something they couldn’t secure. They may have become a limited company and appointed their first manager in 1898, but they continued to play with their non-league status until they announced themselves in a major way. In 1901, the Spurs won the FA Cup and became the only non-league club to ever achieve this honor. This was the first in a series of ‘firsts’ for Tottenham FC and it was a record highlight of the early 20^th century!

Finally a member of the Football League in 1908, the Spurs managed to get promoted to first division in their very first season. With a growing fanbase and more silverware appearing in their trophy cabinet, luck was on their side throughout the decades. In 1921, the club lifted their second FA Cup of their total 8 in history. Unique to the Spurs in the post WWII period was their implementation of the “push and run” – a style of play that featured quick passing and was also referred to as ‘one-two’. This new style of play had turned the club into one that finished at the top of the league, and was one of the main reasons they won a league title in 1951. Pioneering this style of play let the club run circles around their competition but as expected, other clubs began to adapt it into their own attacking style.

Some of the clubs best years were under the management of Bill Nicholson. Appointed manager in 1958, Nicholsons’s time with the club is widely said to be the best in Tottenham’s history. With a couple of key signings for the squad, his first game in charge saw the Spurs beat Everton 10-4 which was a record win in Tottenham history at the time. Over his 16 years of management he led the club to a League title (1961), three FA Cups (1961,1962,1967), two League Cups (1971, 1973), one Cup Winners’ Cup (1963) and the inaugural UEFA Cup (1972). His departure in 1974 left an immediate effect on the club, but by the end of his career everyone in Europe knew who Tottenham Hotspur was!

Tottenham’s timeline includes at least one major trophy in each of the six decades from 1950’s to the 2000’s – an achievement only match by Manchester United. By the 2000’s, they had solidified themselves as primarily a cup team with two more FA Cups in the 80’s and another UEFA Cup (1984). The Spurs really took a big step in their history in the 2010-11 season where they qualified for the Champions League for the first time since its inception. Thankfully the club didn’t disappoint on the world’s biggest soccer stage, and they qualified to the quarterfinals of the competition. Their luck ran out when they lost to Real Madrid, but the competition is still an integral part of the club’s history.

In the most recent years, we’ve gotten to see Tottenham play all of their home matches at Wembley Stadium in 2018, qualify for Champions League for three consecutive seasons (2017,18,19), move to their world-class stadium in 2019, and reach the Champions League Final for the first time in their history. Tottenham is a club built to reach for glory and new heights every single season. They’re dedicated to making a difference on and off the field with their level of play, but also through their community involvement. They’re progressive, innovative, and proud of their humble, yet rich, history!

“In a world full of United’s, City’s, and Rovers, there is only one Hotspur. We are Tottenham Hotspur!” – Tottenham Hotspur FC

Highlights and Fun Facts

Tottenham Hotspur is without a doubt one of the most beloved clubs in Britain and across the world! Here are some of the clubs best highlights and fun facts:

• The Spurs were the first team to ever win the UEFA Cup, which was established in 1971.
• Former Captain Ledley King holds the record for the second fastest goal ever in the Premier League. The defender scored in just 9.82 seconds in a match against Bradford City.
• The 10,000^th Premier League goal was scored by Tottenham’s Les Ferdinand in a 4-0 win against Fulham in December 2001.
• Arsenal Football Club made themselves permanent enemies of Tottenham when they moved their South London home at Woolwich to North London and into Spurs territory.
• Tottenham became the first English club to lift a continental trophy when they triumphed in the 1963 Cup Winners' Cup.
• The legendary Diego Maradona wore the number ten shirt for the Spurs in Ossie Ardiles’ testimonial against Inter Milan in 1986. Tottenham won the game 2-1.

Notable Players

Every player that has ever hit the pitch for the Spurs is considered a legend to this day! Some of the most notable, however, were present during the 1960s-70s when Bill Nicholson was manager. Arguably the best striker for the club, Jimmy Greaves set countless records during his career at Tottenham. In 1961, Nicholson bought Greeves for a famous fee of £99,000, and he became a key member of the winning squad. He hit a hat-trick on his debut appearance for the club, and went on to score 266 goals in 379 appearances. His teammates considered him a master goal scorer who played the game better than anyone at his time. Another one of Nicholson’s decorated players was Steve Perryman. Said to be one of the most loyal and respected figures in Tottenham history, Perryman holds the record for the clubs all-time number of appearances. In his 854 appearances, he won the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and the League Cup all twice, captained the team for 11 years, and scored 39 goals. Today, a letter from Bill Nicholson sits on Steve’s wall in is home that reads “we shall never have been more pleased to welcome any boy to our club”.

In the late 90’s, early 2000’s, the club added some of the most unique talent to their squad. One of the greatest defenders to wear the white jersey was Ledley King. King played for the spurs for 13 years, and was captain for 7. Although a defender, he scored one of the fastest goals in Premier League history (9.82 seconds), and he could read a game unlike any other player. King played alongside other Tottenham legends including David Ginola, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, and Gareth Bale.

Over the last decade, Spurs fans have got to see some of the Premier League’s best attackers join the squad. To name a few, Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Richarlison, and Cristian Romero are all sporting the white jersey. Although the club has struggled to find their footing over the last few years, these players have all set the standards high for how future Spurs should be playing the game!

Is Tottenham your favorite club to watch? Or are they home to some of your favorite players? Either way, SoccerCards.ca has everything you’ll need to represent the Hotspurs on and off the field! Scarves, apparel, hats, soccer balls, and giftware are all available online to show off your love for the team.