Under-18s experience new stadium

Our new intake of Under-18s players took time out of pre-season training last week to enjoy a special visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Having joined us as full-time first year scholars over the summer, the youngsters were given a formal introduction to life at Spurs with a behind-the-scenes look at our world-class home, helping them to understand the values and principles of the Club and to witness first-hand the magnitude of our globally-reaching on- and off-field operations.

The event began with the players being shown around our Lilywhite House offices to meet staff in different departments, enabling them to witness the roles and responsibilities of each area of the Club, before they took a tour of the stadium, exploring the inner sanctum of the 62,303-capacity venue, including the first team players’ changing rooms, tunnel and other exclusive behind-the-scenes areas.

They were then presented with their own personalised Spurs shirts, which they used for a commemorative pitchside photoshoot to mark the beginning of their full-time football careers.

Having met supporters taking part in our socially-distanced stadium tours along the way, the squad rounded off the day with a look at the stadium’s media facilities used by Jose Mourinho and the first team players on matchdays. Midfielder Jez Davies and goalkeeper Adam Hayton even stepped up to the daunting challenge of fielding questions at the top table in a ‘live’ press conference environment in the auditorium as their team-mates and supporters passing through on their stadium tours watched on!

Under-18s Coach Matt Taylor said: “This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for our young players and staff, but also an important eye-opener as we look to help these young men continue to learn about and take on board the Club’s DNA. From the fantastic people we met in Lilywhite House to Richard in the events team, all the way through to the supporters we were fortunate enough to encounter on their own stadium tours – including young Theo and a chap who was celebrating his 40th birthday with his family – everyone contributed to an amazing experience and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who made it possible.

“Although most of the players have been fortunate enough to come to this wonderful stadium as supporters to watch the first team in action before, for many of them, this was a first chance to really go behind the scenes and to get an idea of where they’re aiming to get to one day in their careers. Unfortunately, due to lockdown, they were unable to come into the Training Centre to have photographs taken as they signed their scholarships this summer, which is obviously a momentous occasion under any circumstances, so we hope that by presenting them with their own Spurs shirts with their names on the back and being able to have their photos taken pitchside at the stadium now, this will give them a reference point in their careers that they can look back on with pride in future years.”

Enjoy your own stadium tour!

The doors have opened again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for supporters to enjoy our popular tours. Over the past few months, we’ve worked to implement social distancing measures to prioritise the health and safety of all staff and visitors.

Stadium tours are now self-guided with a maximum of 15 people permitted per tour group, with our knowledgeable guides still on hand to answer any questions. Guests are provided with a personal multimedia set that will help guide them through each area while also displaying video content that brings each aspect of the stadium to life.

Book before 12 January, 2021, to receive a 15 per cent discount.