Tottenham History, Records, Facts & Achievements

 

One of the most followed football clubs on social media, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, also known as Spurs, has a cool history with lots of cool stuff. It started a long time ago as Hotspur Football Club and now it’s in the Premier League.

Let’s explore this history, talk about the trophies they’ve won, some interesting records, and fun facts that make this club cool for football fans everywhere.

Tottenham Brief History

One of the most popular English football clubs in the world, Tottenham’s story started on September 5, 1882, when a group of schoolboys, led by Bobby Buckle, established Hotspur Football Club. Originally, they played to keep busy during the winter months while being part of the Hotspur Cricket Club.

With the assistance of John Ripsher, a Bible class teacher, who became the first president and treasurer, the club gained stability and changed its name to “Tottenham Hotspur Football Club” in April 1884. The club has since been affectionately called “Spurs” and “the Lilywhites.”

Tottenham Trophies

Tottenham’s journey has been marked by several trophy triumphs, both domestically and in European competitions.

Trophies in England

First Division/Premier League: 2

Second Division: 2

FA Cup: 8

Football League Cup/EFL Cup: 4

FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield: 7

In England, Spurs have clinched numerous prestigious titles. They claimed the FA Cup on eight occasions, in the years 1900–01, 1920–21, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1966–67, 1980–81, 1981–82, and 1990–91.

Additionally, they secured the League Cup four times (1970–71, 1972–73, 1998–99, and 2007–08) and emerged victorious in the FA Charity Shield or Community Shield seven times (1921, 1951, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, and 1991). They also lifted the Sheriff of London Charity Shield in 1902.

Trophies in Europe

UEFA Europa League: 2

UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1

Tottenham’s presence in European competitions has also left a mark. They won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1962–63 season and the UEFA Cup or UEFA Europa League twice (1971–72 and 1983–84). These achievements made them the first British team to win two different European trophies.

Tottenham Records

One of the richest Premier League football clubs, Tottenham has set some impressive records.

Steve Perryman holds the club’s appearance record, having played 854 games between 1969 and 1986, including 655 league matches. Harry Kane, a modern-day superstar, stands as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, with a remarkable 280 goals to his name.

Tottenham’s most substantial league victory was a resounding 9–0 triumph against Bristol Rovers in the Second Division on October 22, 1977. In the FA Cup, they recorded their largest win with a 13–2 victory over Crewe Alexandra on February 3, 1960. The most memorable top-flight victory came on November 22, 2009, when they defeated Wigan Athletic 9–1, with Jermain Defoe scoring five goals. However, the club’s record defeat was an 8–0 loss to 1. FC Köln in the Intertoto Cup on July 22, 1995.

In terms of attendance, White Hart Lane saw its highest attendance of 75,038 on March 5, 1938, during a cup tie against Sunderland. Notably, their temporary home, Wembley Stadium, attracted 85,512 spectators on November 2, 2016, during a 2016–17 UEFA Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen. Furthermore, 83,222 fans attended the North London derby against Arsenal on February 10, 2018, marking the highest attendance for any Premier League game.

Tottenham Top Facts

Tottenham’s journey through the years is peppered with interesting facts:

  • Tottenham Hotspur became the only non-League club to win the FA Cup after beating Sheffield United 3–1 in a replay of the 1901 final.
  • Under manager Arthur Rowe, Spurs introduced a successful playing style known as “push and run,” securing the First Division title in the 1950–51 season.
  • Bill Nicholson, the club’s most successful manager, led Spurs to a historic Double in 1961, winning both the league and FA Cup.
  • In 1963, Tottenham made history as the first British team to win a European trophy by clinching the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
  • Spurs’ glory years under Nicholson included two League Cup victories (in 1971 and 1973) and a UEFA Cup win in 1972.
  • The 1980s marked a period of redevelopment and commercialization, with Irving Scholar taking over as chairman and leading the club in a more commercial direction.
  • The partnership of manager Terry Venables and players like Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker resulted in another FA Cup win in the 1990–91 season.

Tottenham Fun Facts

Here are some fun tidbits about Tottenham Hotspur:

  • Spurs’ nicknames include “Spurs” and “the Lilywhites”.
  • John Ripsher, a Bible class teacher, played a crucial role in the club’s early years as its first president and treasurer.
  • The club played its first recorded match against a local team named the Radicals in 1882.
  • Tottenham enjoyed success in the early 1970s, winning the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982, as well as the UEFA Cup in 1984.
  • Keith Burkinshaw, as manager, guided the club to FA Cup victories in 1981 and 1982.
  • The ownership of the club changed hands, with Terry Venables and businessman Alan Sugar taking control in June 1991.
  • Spurs’ appearance in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final marked a significant milestone in the club’s history, although they narrowly lost to Liverpool.

Conclusion

Tottenham Hotspur’s journey through history has been a blend of remarkable triumphs, unforgettable moments, and a rich football legacy. From its humble beginnings as a schoolboy team to its stellar performances in domestic and European competitions, Spurs continues to be a source of pride for its fans around the world.

FAQ

Who is the all-time leading goal scorer for Tottenham Hotspur?

Harry Kane holds the record for the most goals scored in the club’s history, with 280 goals to his name.

When did Tottenham win their first FA Cup?

Tottenham secured their first FA Cup win in the 1900-01 season.

Who led Tottenham to their historic Double in 1961?

Manager Bill Nicholson guided Tottenham to the historic Double in 1961, winning both the league and FA Cup.

Which playing style was introduced by Tottenham under manager Arthur Rowe?

Under manager Arthur Rowe, Spurs introduced the successful playing style known as “push and run,” which helped them secure the First Division title in the 1950-51 season.

What was the club’s highest attendance recorded for any Premier League game?

The highest attendance recorded for any Premier League game involving Tottenham Hotspur was 83,222 during the North London derby against Arsenal on February 10, 2018.