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Cliff to join greats in National Football Museum Hall of Fame

2013-05-22 16:39:00

Our legendary former winger, one of the stars of Bill Nicholson's double-winning team, is one of 10 legends of the game that will be inducted in September 25.

Cliff joins Peter Schmeichel, Matt Le Tissier, Ray Wilkins, Eddie Gray, Mike Summerbee, Sheila Parker (Chorley Ladies FC), referee Jack Taylor. Raich Carter and David Clarke receive posthumous inductions.

"It’s a privilege to be there alongside the greats of football," said Cliff, who made 378 appearances for us between 1958-68, scoring 159 goals.

"From a personal point of view, I come from a family of footballers and it’s special for me to represent my family in there.

"I felt a great sense of pride when I was told. I started my career at Swansea, made my name there and then came to Tottenham and was part of that fantastic period, the glory, glory years under a managerial great in Bill Nicholson and playing alongside some wonderful players. It’s a privilege to be honoured in this way."

Cliff is the 13th Spurs player to make it into the Hall of Fame - Ossie Ardiles, Danny Blanchflower, Ray Clemence, Paul Gascoigne, Jimmy Greaves, Glenn Hoddle, Pat Jennings, Gary Lineker, Dave Mackay, Martin Peters, Sir Alf Ramsey and Teddy Sheringham.

Inductees have been chosen by a panel featuring some of the biggest names in football including, the Museum’s President Sir Bobby Charlton, Vice President Sir Alex Ferguson, Gordon Taylor and Mark Lawrenson. They must have finished their playing career or be aged over 30 and have played or managed in England for at least five years to qualify for Hall of Fame nomination.

The eight football legends will have their achievements celebrated at a charity fundraising Hall of Fame induction celebration at the National Football Museum in Manchester on 25 September.

Members of the public can buy tickets to attend the exclusive event in September by emailing halloffame@nationalfootballmuseum.com. Information about ticket prices and sponsorship packages can be found online at www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

The National Football Museum provides a world-class home for the greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled, in addition to housing its nationally-recognised Hall of Fame in Manchester.

Thanks to Manchester City Council and ERDF funding, the museum has taken over the whole of the city’s landmark Urbis building.

More than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs make up this unique collection and highlights include a shirt from the world's first international match played in 1872, the 1966 World Cup Final ball and the shirt worn by Maradona during the infamous 1986 ‘Hand of God’ quarter final match between England and Argentina.

Admission is free of charge but, as the museum is a registered charity, it relies on donations from the public and support from the corporate sector to stay open.

For more information, follow this link...

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'We don't judge U21 season on final 30 minutes of final game...'

2013-05-22 11:45:00

The Under-21s fell at the final hurdle in their attempts to land a 'treble' in the all-new Barclays U21 Premier League.

Having won National Group Two in phase one and then the Elite Group in phase two, the lads toppled Everton 3-2 in the play-off semi-finals to face Manchester United in the final at Old Trafford.

They were well on course leading 2-0 at half-time but United staged a remarkable comeback to win 3-2.

The team won 17 of 28 matches in total, losing six and just four between August 29-May 20. They notched up an incredible 82 goals in that time.

More importantly, 18 players who turned out for the Under-21s this season also spent valuable time out on loan.

"We're not going to judge the season on the last 30 minutes of the last game of the season," said Chris, our Senior Professional Phase Coach.

"I’ve been really pleased with the lads, Tim (Sherwood) and Les (Ferdinand) have supported them magnificently and we're really pleased with the way they’ve come through.

“The players have progressed through the season but the fact is we have a way that we like to develop the players and we’d like to play and we don’t like to move away from that.

“In the first game of the season, we lost 6-4 at Newcastle and we wouldn’t just change (the way we play) because of that result. We have a development plan and we stick to it.

"Anyway, if we’re here every year battling it out in the last game of the season, how bad can that be?"

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Legends latest

2013-05-22 10:05:00

In a week that marked the 50th anniversary of our 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup final triumph over Atletico Madrid – a match in which John was on the scoresheet – a fresh tribute was made to the late Scotland international, who tragically lost his life back in July 1964 aged just 27.

The ex-White Hart Lane favourites took to the field against a team of Scottish fans of Tottenham, which included John’s son Rob White, at Colebrook Royals FC.

And fittingly, the match was kicked-off by John’s close friend and fellow Spurs great Cliff Jones, who had been playing golf with John on the day of his death back in 1964.

The sprightly Welsh flier got the game underway after a minute’s applause, although the Legends were left to rue a host of missed chances early in the contest.

Clive Wilson’s surging run into the box was halted by a solid covering tackle from a defender, while Garry Brooke’s right-footed effort from 20 yards out was pushed up and over the bar by the ScotSpurs goalkeeper.

Shortly afterwards, centre-half Danny Maddix got forward and powered a header towards the far post after a corner from Andy Edmonds, but his effort was blocked on the line by a defender.

ScotSpurs were beginning to frustrate the Legends, although Mark Falco went close in the 25th minute with a sublime turn and shot which forced the goalkeeper to palm the ball away to safety.

The missed chances came back to haunt the Legends when ScotSpurs took the lead in the 34th minute. Ross McInnes crashed a left-footed free kick into the net from 25 yards out, after a handball by Tony Galvin.

Falco skied an effort over the top at the other end as Spurs sought an equaliser, but a resolute defensive effort from the visitors ensured ScotSpurs went into the half-time interval with a slender 1-0 lead.

The Legends came out fired up in the second period, and two well-taken goals from Micky Southam – the first one a free kick – saw the Legends turn the match on its head.

However, the visitors refused to lie down, and in the 70th minute, Steve Oliver grabbed an equaliser when he sent a glancing header inside the far post after a cross from the left.

The Legends were quickly back in front, though, as Southam grabbed a third, while the energetic Maddix was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself as he rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort from long-range.

Maddix ventured into the opponents’ area in the 81st minute, and was swiftly brought down by a defender, with referee Ken Goldman – who was involved in a John White tribute match as a player back in 1964 – pointing to the spot. Clive Wilson sent the resulting penalty left-footed into the bottom corner of the net to effectively put the result beyond doubt.

Southam added gloss to the final scoreline with two spectacular strikes in the last few minutes, as the Legends ensured they remain unbeaten in 2013.

Spurs Legends: Gareth Howells, Paul Miller, Tony Galvin, Danny Maddix, Stuart Nethercott, Garry Brooke, Andy Edmonds, Kevin Watson, Mark Falco, Warren Gravette, Clive Wilson. Special guest for kick-off: Cliff Jones. Subs: Paul Hawksbee, Micky Southam, Dave Hill, Dan Gaze.

FC ScotSpurs: William Fernie, John Camilleri, David Bates, Rob White, Stevie Murrell, Ray Bates, Ally McIntosh, Ross McInnes, Gav McDonald, Charlie Marks, Stevie Deuchar. Subs: Tyrone Foster, Davie Elder, Gary Flavell, Sean Camilleri, Steve Oliver.

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Play and train with your team at Spurs Lodge!

2013-05-22 08:50:00

This is your chance to book the same premium Spurs Lodge grass and covered 3G facilities that until recently were used by the Tottenham Hotspur first team squad.

Spurs legends including Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe, Ledley King and David Ginola have all graced these pitches.

Now it's your chance to book your team's pre-season training or a competitive match on these first-class Spurs Lodge surfaces.

We are pleased to welcome Adult and Junior teams, and we also offer tailored pre-season training programmes to suit your players needs.

We also offer the option of having a coach from our Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching programmes team available to deliver technical coaching and pre-season specific training.

There's also the chance for teams to make use of our first-class 11-a-side pitch hire for pre-season games, but please note there is limited availability only for all these offers.

For more information please contact Daren Cousins at Tottenham Hotspur on:
(w) 0208 365 5182 or daren.cousins@tottenhamhotspur.com

SPURS A-LEAGUE

Following the success of our Spurs Lodge A-League we’re delighted to be starting up another a brand new Tuesday evening League.

It’s perfect for six-a-side teams of family, friends or work colleagues wanting to meet up to play football each week.

Starting Tuesday 18 June, your team will get to play 30 minutes every week between 6.15pm – 8.45pm in the 3G indoor training facility at Spurs Lodge, Chigwell.

Teams taking part in the Spurs A-League will be able to monitor their progress and view upcoming fixtures in their own official homepage.

The winning team of this season’s League will be presented with their medals and trophy at the end of the season.

To sign up your team visit tottenhamhotspur.com/aleague

Please note players must be over 16 years old, with their Team Manager a minimum of 18 years old.

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Club and players show appreciation to fans

2013-05-21 14:59:00

Following Saturday’s Supporters Club Awards held at the Training Centre, Sunday’s final home game of the 2012-13 season presented another opportunity to thank fans from all over the world.

The team have once again been able to count on your incredible support both at the Lane and on our travels, at home and in Europe, throughout the campaign, particularly from our loyal Season Ticket Holders and One Hotspur Members.

And the past year has seen a massive growth in the number of our Official Supporters Clubs around the world, particularly in America. We are proud to say that we have awarded one new Supporters Club official status every week throughout the season, which is testament to our growing global fanbase.

In order to engage and reward our overseas fanbase, technical partners Under Armour set a challenge earlier this season for groups of supporters from anywhere in the world to prove their passion for Spurs and win the prize of a lifetime.

The ‘Road to Glory’ campaign asked these groups to film themselves completing 11 specific challenges and send the videos into us for a judging panel, including the legendary Ledley King, to decide the winners.

Oz Spurs, our Official Supporters Club from Sydney, Australia, were crowned ‘Road to Glory’ winners and awarded a trip to London for Sunday’s game and joined Ledley to receive recognition of fellow fans during the half-time interval.

And after the final whistle, Gareth Bale was presented with the One Hotspur Player and Young Player of the Year awards before all our players got the chance to thank fans themselves during a lap of appreciation.

We would like thank all those fans who sent us their #ProudToBeSpurs Tweets to @SpursOfficial last week, summing up what the 2012-13 campaign meant to them.

The following Tweets were shown on the LED advertising boards during the lap of appreciation:

@dobbospurs88 So proud of the character and fight the team have shown throughout the season. They never give up. #ProudToBeSpurs

@Swervecampbell Thanks for a great season AVB and the whole squad #ProudToBeSpurs from Johannesburg,South Africa

@JaredBrand Took a massive step in the right direction with some unbelievable moments. Well done the boys! #ProudToBeSpurs

@moneymike008 New coach, new ambitions, new mentality, new training ground, new players, new hope. Teams been fantastic. #ProudToBeSpurs

@Joe_Diamond thanks for everything lads, done us all proud and looking forward to next season! #ProudToBeSpurs

Once again, a big thank you for your support throughout the season and we look forward to welcoming more new Official Supporters Clubs and counting on you all to drive the team on to a successful 2013-14 campaign!

To find out how you can become an Official Supporters Club, visit tottenhamhotspur.com/supporters-club

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Young Academy squad perform well in Copa Amsterdam

2013-05-21 12:59:00

The team bounced back from a last-minute defeat against Fluminense in the group stage to beat Men United 1-0 with a goal from Darren McQueen and therefore take on Ajax in the fifth/sixth place play-off. Men United is a talent squad trained by Ronald de Boer.

The play-off finished 1-1 against the Dutch team and the players kept their nerve in the penalty shoot-out - scoring all their penalties to win 5-4.

Matches were played over 2x25-minute halves.

The tournament was won by Ajax Cape Town, who beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.

AEGON COPA AMSTERDAM

GROUP B

Match One - Spurs 0-0 Cruzeiro EC

Team: Vigouroux; A McQueen, Ball, Ogilvie, Carter-Vickers, Dombaxe, Lesniak (Miller, 32), Ward; Michael-Percil (McEneff, 47), Lameiras, D McQueen (Akindayini, 32).

Match Two - Fluminense 1-0 Spurs

Team: McGee; Vincent-Young, Ball, Ogilvie, Ward; Lesniak, McEneff (Lameiras, 40), Miller (D McQueen, 40); Sonupe (Michael-Percil, 30), Akindayini, Munns.

Match Three - Men United 0-1 Spurs

Goal: D McQueen (35m)

Team: Vigouroux; McEneff, Ball, Ogilvie, Ward; A McQueen, Lesniak (Akindayini 32; Sonupe, 46), Lameiras (Miller, 34); Michael-Percil, Munns, D McQueen.

Fifth/sixth play-off - Spurs 1-1 Ajax

Goal: Miller (46m)

Spurs won 5-4 on penalties - goalscorers - A McQueen, Ward, Lameiras, D McQueen, McEneff.

Team: McGee; McEneff, A McQueen, Ogilvie, Vincent-Young; Lesniak, Ward, Lameiras; Michael-Percil (Miller, 37), Munns (Sonupe, 51), D McQueen.

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U21s final - Grant determined to bounce back

2013-05-21 12:26:00

The lads looked on course to complete the clean sweep in the new competition having won titles in the first two phases - National Group Two and the Elite Group - with a fine performance in the first half of the play-off final.

They dominated at Old Trafford and led 2-0 at half-time through Jon Obika and Alex Pritchard.

However, United hit back with goals from Marnick Vermijl and Larnell Cole and completed the comeback with Cole's winner two minutes from time.

"Devastated is an understatement, really," said Grant, who captained the team in the latter stages of the season and led them out at Old Trafford.

"To lose like that, it's tough.

"We played the way we normally play in the first half, we passed the ball, scored twice and could have been three or four up.

"In the second half we dropped off too much, gave them too much time and once they scored the first goal, their tails were up and we were under the cosh.

"I’m sure everyone will take something out of the experience. To lose like that, it’s so disappointing but hopefully we’ll bounce back next season, go one step further and win it."

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U21s final - 'hardest lesson' - Chris

2013-05-21 10:28:00

The team dominated possession and played free-flowing football, created chances, hit the woodwork twice and went in at half-time deservedly 2-0 up thanks to goals from Jon Obika and Alex Pritchard.

But if we'd produced what was expected in the first half, then United found a typical response in the second half.

They pushed men further forward, had spells of pressure for the first time and when full-back Marnick Vermijl pulled a goal back on 59 minutes, you sensed a change in momentum.

Larnell Cole levelled on 74 minutes but there were still chances either end - Obika and Kenny McEvoy close for us - before United won it with Cole's second for 3-2 just two minutes from time.

So after winning both phases of the Barclays U21 Premier League - National Group Two and the Elite Group - the lads had to settle for runners-up medals in the end-of-season play-offs.

"It’s a learning curve for them and now they're at the business end," said Chris, our Senior Professional Phase Coach.

"If they go out on loan or go on to play for the first team, they must realise there is always something on every game - a whether that’s for points or, in this case, in a final.

"It is the worst way to learn a lesson but in three or four years from now hopefully they will be in a final or winning something with the club and they will understand what it takes and what it means to go that extra step."

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U21s final - United 3-2 Spurs

2013-05-20 18:04:00

Jon Obika and Alex Pritchard both registered and at 2-0, there only looked one outcome.

But somehow the home team turned it around in the second half. Alarm bells started to ring when Marnick Vermijl made it 2-1 on 59 minutes and a double from Larnell Cole after 74 and 88 minutes completed the turnaround.

Naturally downcast after the final whistle, the players shouldn't let the result of the final overshadow what has been a fantastic campaign full of free-flowing football that reaped 17 wins from 28 matches and a goal tally of 82.

There was one change to last week's semi-final win against Everton as Harry Kane came in for Kevin Stewart.

Apart from a couple of half-chances, it was pretty much one-way traffic in the first half.

The first effort at goal came in the sixth minute as Tom Carroll curled just over from 25 yards.

Obika turned Kane's low cross onto the crossbar in the 18th minute to spark a rush of action at both ends.

Cole was next up, a sharp turn and shot wide, Cristian Ceballos then dipped a 25-yarder inches wide, Jesse Lingard showed quick feet to work an opening but miss the target again and finally, Kane unleashed a ripper from 25 yards that rattled the upright - all that in the space of three minutes.

We soon settled back into control and the opening goal arrived on 29 minutes.

Obika climbed with Ben Amos, who didn't deal with the high ball, Pritchard was first on the scene and headed towards goal and Obika was there to turn home from close range.

The first half display got the flourish it deserved with the second goal, a sweet strike from Pritchard that flew across Amos into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

It was a quiet start to the second half but United slowly clawed their way back into the game. Lingard pushed up to support Januzaj and the home team enjoyed a sustained spell of possession for the first time.

That led to a goal back and a fine strike from full-back Vermijl, who fired across Jordan Archer into the far corner on 59 minutes.

Kenny McEvoy joined the action for Pritchard on 64 minutes and was soon involved, a dart to the right byline and cross had Amos peddling backwards to tip over. Ceballos then tested the goalkeeper again from 22 yards.

United's equaliser arrived on 74 minutes. Lingard led a break and played in Januzaj down the left, he fired in a low cross that found Cole who turned inside Archer before firing into the roof of the net.

Play soon switched to the United end as Kane played in Obika, who clipped over Amos but wide of the target.

The next chance fell to McEvoy on 83 minutes as Kane dropped in a cross for Obika and the ball came out to the winger, who walked onto a full volley that flashed into the side-netting.

It could have gone either way at this point but momentum was with United and they clinched the trophy with two minutes left. Januzaj got down the right and cut the ball back to Cole, who controlled and fired into the bottom corner.

Manchester United (4-1-4-1): Amos; Vermijl, Thorpe, Keane, James; Ekangamene; Cole, Pearson (Lawrence, 56), Tinnicliffe, Lingard; Januzaj. Unused subs: Grimshaw, Sutherland, Pereira, Wilson.

Spurs (4-3-3): Archer; Fredericks, Hall, Veljkovic, Fryers; Bentaleb, Carroll, Pritchard (McEvoy, 64); Obika, Kane, Ceballos. Subs: Barthram, Miles, Gallifuoco, Stewart.

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Mousa's target

2013-05-20 13:06:00

And the Belgian international insisted: “Next season, we have to be better again.”

The midfielder came off the bench to help us press for a winner against Sunderland at the Lane on Sunday, a 1-0 victory delivered via Gareth Bale’s cracker in the last minute.

That took us to a record points tally in the Premier League of 72 but Arsenal grabbed fourth spot after beating Newcastle at St James Park.

“We deserved the win and the only thing we could do was to keep believing and not think too much about the other game, just win our game,” said Mousa. “We did that, but it wasn’t enough.

“Okay, we’re disappointed we’re not going to play in the Champions League, everyone knows we have the quality, but we have to be positive and that points record is something to be positive about.

“I’m also positive about my first season at Spurs and next season, we have to be better again.”

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Final countdown for U21s

2013-05-20 10:23:00

The players travel to the Theatre of Dreams as deserved finalists after an outstanding campaign.

After losing the first two games of the season at Newcastle and United – trailing 5-1 at half-time at Newcastle in August seems a long way away now – the squad put together a total record of 16 wins and just three more defeats over the first two phases of the Barclays U21 Premier League.

That saw them win National Group Two of the first phase of the competition and then the Elite Group in phase two – registering an incredible 77 goals along the way.

Last week, they booked a place in the final in thrilling style with a last-minute winner from Jon Obika to beat Everton 3-2 at the Lane. Meanwhile, United toppled Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford.

“It’s just reward for all the hard work the players have put in this season,” said Chris, our Senior Professional Phase Coach.

“From a development point of view, it’s an ideal scenario, the final match of the season is a final at Old Trafford and this is the last building block in the players’ development this season.

“It’s a fantastic test and we’ll now see how the players respond. As is always the case with any final, I’m sure some players will really rise to the occasion.

“It’s a pressure environment and the players will be putting pressure on themselves to go out and perform as well. We just hope they do themselves proud and most of all, enjoy it.”

Development, rather than results, remains the key phrase for the squad.

“The players have progressed through the season but the fact is we have a way that we like to develop the players and we’d like to play and we don’t like to move away from that, as you would see,” explained Chris.

“In the first game of the season, we lost 6-4 at Newcastle and we wouldn’t just change (the way we play) because of that result.

“We kept doing what we wanted to do. Whether or not that’s right for some of the players coming through, we’ll wait and see, but we have a development plan and we stick to it.”

We'll have live coverage from Old Trafford via @SpursOfficial on Twitter, plus report and photographs later here on tottenhamhotspur.com...

Kick-off is 7pm.

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'The players have been immense...'

2013-05-20 00:06:00

Sunday’s 1-0 win against Sunderland took us to a club record 72 points in the Premier League.

However, Arsenal’s victory at Newcastle meant the Gunners held on to fourth place.

Gareth Bale’s stunning late strike secured another maximum haul at the Lane on Sunday and meant we completed the Premier League campaign with just two defeats in our final 22 matches, stretching back to December.

The 72-point haul toppled the 70 points amassed in the 2009-10 season.

“The players have been absolutely immense in how willing they were to achieve our objective,” said Andre.

“With this amount of points, what can you learn is that the level (in the Premier League) has gone up, and it will go up again next season because you expect Liverpool to be in the mix too.

“We have to continue to raise the bar.

“We’ve given a good run to Arsenal and Chelsea, teams who play for the title. We’re not very far away from them, so let’s take this lesson into the future and make it better next time.”

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A great effort - Andre

2013-05-19 23:24:00

However, he admitted it was ‘difficult to take’ after Arsenal pipped us to fourth place in the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Newcastle.

Gareth Bale provided a fitting finale to a memorable campaign with a stunning strike in the last minute to secure victory at the Lane.

We’d chipped away throughout the match against a stubborn Sunderland side and poured on the pressure in the second half.

It looked like it might be one of those days after a shot count of 23-5 in our favour and being denied by last-ditch blocks, clearances off the line, the woodwork and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but Gareth delivered again, a scorcher into the top corner to take us to 72 points.

“It’s difficult to take at the moment,” said Andre. “We did our job, but Arsenal did their job as well at Newcastle and unfortunately, managed to nick it.

“In the first half, we didn’t create as many chances as we wanted.

“But it was an excellent second half, a great effort from everyone. We pushed forward and in the end, we got what we deserved.

“It was a great individual moment to win the game and a great collective performance.”

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Spurs 1-0 Sunderland - report from the Lane...

2013-05-19 18:45:00

It was a difficult contest against a dogged Sunderland outfit who defended impressively and were determined to end the campaign themselves on a positive note. But we continued to prod and probe all afternoon for that elusive winning goal, Bale finally providing the magic moment in the 89th minute – his 21st league goal of the season, another club record in the Premier League.

Just one change was made to the starting line-up from the win at the Britannia Stadium last weekend, with Andre Villas-Boas swapping Steven Caulker for Benoit Assou-Ekotto in defence.

The game got underway amidst a cracking atmosphere inside the Lane, the importance of the occasion felt in all corners of the stadium and we made a good start to the contest as we searched for the all-important three points.

And just four minutes were on the clock when we had our first opportunity, Emmanuel Adebayor breaking clear down the right and firing in from a very tight angle, but Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet saved for a corner which came to nothing.

We were dominant in possession and carved out another chance on 16 minutes with a lovely move from front to back. Kyle Walker won the ball in the right-back position and fed Scott Parker, who released Adebayor into the left channel. The Togo striker cut inside John O’Shea before clipping a cross into the area but it was just too far ahead of Gareth Bale.

Our Welsh star was then at the centre of the half’s most controversial moment on 20 minutes. Tom Huddlestone’s ball over the top found Bale racing into the area, shoulder to shoulder with Sebastian Larsson. The Swede appeared all over him as he tumbled to the ground, but referee Andre Marriner waved away our penalty appeals and instead booked Bale for simulation.

Four minutes later Mignolet was called into action again, this time diving to his right to deny Huddlestone one of his trademark long-rangers, but it was a comfortable save in truth.

Sunderland, assured of their Premier League safety but fielding a much-changed line-up due to injuries and suspensions, were struggling to get a foothold in the match but on the half-hour mark, they showed that they still could pose a threat.

Jan Vertonghen’s headed clearance fell to Connor Wickham, he laid it off to Danny Graham down the right flank and advanced into the area where he met Graham’s low cross and flicked the ball goalwards, bringing the best out of Hugo Lloris from close range. And shortly after, Parker produced a typically brave block to deny to Wickham from 20 yards.

We finished the half on top though and there was an air of expectation when Huddlestone was upended on 39 minutes by James McClean and the referee awarded a free-kick in Bale territory. This time though, while he hit the target, it lacked power and Mignolet punched clear. On the stroke of half-time, Clint Dempsey tried his luck from distance, but again it was saved.

We were immediately on the front foot after the restart, Benoit Assou-Ekotto skipping clear down the left, Bale met his cross but his shot was blocked. The rebound was collected by Aaron Lennon, but his left foot drive drifted wide of the post.

Just three minutes later Sunderland went close again. Huddlestone was caught in possession by Wickham, he found Graham who got away from Michael Dawson and hit a left foot shot which Lloris saved well diving to his left and Vertonghen cleared the rebound.

We had further shouts for a penalty shortly afterwards when Carlos Cuellar appeared to block Huddlestone’s shot with his hand, Bale then tested Mignolet again with another free-kick and Huddlestone fired over Vertonghen’s shot was blocked as we turned up the pressure.

Somehow the ball still wouldn’t go in after an almighty scramble on 63 minutes. First Parker’s shot was saved on the line by Colback and from the rebound, Lennon fired goalwards but incredibly Colback’s toe diverted the ball onto the post and away to safety.

And a minute later, we had two more chances in quick succession, Mignolet saving Dawson’s header from a corner and Dempsey’s shot from the loose ball came off Vertonghen as both players went for the ball.

It really was one-way traffic as we pegged Sunderland back, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough as the Black Cats defended for their lives. Time and again, shots were blocked or saved and crosses were headed clear but we kept persevering, knowing just one chance could win the match.

And it looked like it might come when Bale latched onto Vertonghen’s raking long pass on 73 minutes, but Mignolet was out quick to deny him when he cut back onto his right foot.

On 74 minutes Sunderland were reduced to 10 men when David Vaughan fouled Lennon and received his second yellow card and the subsequent red. From the set-piece, Bale fired over from 30 yards.

With a man less, the visitors dropped deeper to protect their clean sheet making it even harder for us to break them down. Mousa Dembele, Jermain Defoe and Gylfi Sigurdsson were introduced into the fray to boost our attacking options and the chances kept coming, if not the golden one to break the deadlock.

Yet again Mignolet denied Bale with a low save, Huddlestone’s fierce drive was deflected for a corner and Adebayor couldn’t keep his header down from the set-piece.

But then came the goal…and as it has done so many times this season, it came from the golden left boot of Bale in the 89th minute. In almost a carbon copy of his strike against Southampton here last time, he picked the ball up on the right flank, cut inside and just let fly. Mignolet might have denied him every other time this afternoon, but there was no stopping this one as it flew into the top corner.

That secured the points as the whistle blew just a couple of minutes later…a Bale match-winner a fitting end to a season in which he has been sublime and the team have provided numerous memorable moments.

Spurs (4-4-2): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto (Sigurdsson 84); Lennon, Huddlestone, Parker (Dembele 64), Dempsey (Defoe 73); Bale, Adebayor. Substitutes (not used): Friedel, Naughton, Caulker, Holtby.

Sunderland: Mignolet; Larsson, Cuellar, O’Shea, Colback; Johnson, N’Diaye, Vaughan, McClean (Knott 73); Graham (Mandron 74), Wickham (Mitchell 88). Substitutes (not used): Westwood, Marrs, Ferguson, Harrison, Mitchell.

Goal: Spurs - Bale (88)

Yellows: Spurs – Bale; Sunderland – McClean, Vaughan, Mandron

Red: Sunderland – Vaughan.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Attendance: 36,063
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Chairman's message

2013-05-19 10:30:00

We should all have wanted to start today with our fate in our own hands regarding Champions League qualification after what has been a great season and one which has once again seen us qualify for Europe.

Our current tally of 69 points is just one point off our all-time highest total in the Premier League (2009/10) and already equals our total points tally for last season which saw us finish fourth, a measure of how competitive the Premier League remains. A win today will see us achieve our greatest Premier League points tally ever.

We started the season with a new Head Coach and Andre was introduced at our new Training Centre shortly ahead of its opening. It is the fantastic facility we planned, it has received much acclaim and praise from all over the world and it is a stand-out marker of the ambitions we have at this Club. Andre and his coaching team, Steffen Freund, Jose Mario Rocha, Luis Martins, Tony Parks and Daniel Sousa have had a great first season and are now well settled at the Club.

Gareth Bale deserves special mention. He has had a phenomenal season. We were proud to seen him honoured with a clean sweep of all three major player awards - PFA Player of the Year; PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year - and Jan Vertonghen was named in the PFA Team of the Year. Gareth is the first to remind anyone who congratulates him that this is a team effort and we have seen some outstanding performances from the First Team.

Tim Sherwood, John McDermott, Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand have led the way with our youth development and we have had notable success in a variety of competitions, indicating the strength and depth we have across the different age groups.

Our Under-21s have certainly had a fantastic season, reaching the Barclays U21 Premier League Final. They play Manchester United tomorrow and we wish them luck. We were delighted to see four of our young players selected for England U21s for this summer’s European U21 Championships - Steven Caulker, Danny Rose, Andros Townsend and Adam Smith.

Our loan system continues to work well in developing our players and this season saw Andros Townsend voted Player of the Year and Danny Rose voted Young Player of the Year for their respective loan clubs, QPR and Sunderland.

Looking ahead to the summer, we shall continue to seek to strengthen and improve the team and to retain key players. We also look forward to the return of Sandro and Younes who were missed this season but who are well on the road to full fitness.

Financial Fair Play (FFP) will hopefully see all clubs follow the kind of financial discipline we have followed as we run our Club on a sound financial basis without the benefit of a larger stadium. Short term cost control measures which limit the amount of increased broadcasting revenues clubs can spend to £4m per season and a requirement to break even will have an impact on clubs across Europe.

A large capacity stadium is fundamental to the ability to raise revenue and achieve future growth and success within FFP. Our 36,000 seater stadium has continued to sell out and our waiting list is now in excess of 42,000. Our new stadium plans are progressing and we are applying the same energies to delivering this hugely complex scheme as we did to the delivery of the new Training Centre.

Ledley will be on the pitch at half time after what has been his first full season since his retirement and his first as a Club Ambassador. He has taken to his new role with all the professionalism and presence he displayed throughout his playing career at the Club and we are so very proud to have him represent us in our local community and around the world. He has played an active role both in the regeneration work around the stadium and also with supporters groups domestically and internationally, having recently returned from South Africa and Sweden.

Indeed, one stand out feature of the season has been the growth in our supporter base globally. We have seen a 45% growth in the number of supporter groups and we now host official groups around the world in places such as Camp Bastion, Mumbai, Dallas and Moscow to name but a few of the new destinations. We are also currently adding one new supporter group per week from the States as the popularity of the game and 'The Spurs' takes off over there. Welcome to you all.

And to all our supporters, whether here today, home or abroad, on behalf of everyone at the Club, thank you. You are what this Club is all about.

I know the Lane will be rocking today with your support for yet another final day of the season, all-important win .

Enjoy the occasion and I wish you and your families a great summer ahead of seeing you here again in August.

Yours

Daniel

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Gareth scoops Supporters Clubs Awards

2013-05-18 13:49:00

Supporters Clubs from all over the UK, Ireland and the world were represented at the event.

Gareth clinched both Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards from the Supporters Clubs and One Hotspur Disabled Supporters Association.

Madeline Yates from our South Wales SC presented her fellow Welshman with the SC Goal of the Season for his fine strike at West Ham in February.

Our 'Road To Glory' winners - a competition run in conjuction with Under Armour - OzSpurs are enjoying their prize weekend with the club and as part of it, presented Gareth with the SC Player of the Season award.

James Horsley then handed Gareth the One Hotspur Disabled Supporters Association's awards for Player and Goal of the Season, again for his winner at West Ham.

We'll have Gareth's views on winning awards voted for by our fans next week...

It was great so see our fans at the Training Centre and here's a roll call of the Supporters Club present - we hope you enjoyed your day!

Anglesey, Australia, Bedford, Carrickfergus, Cumbria, Disabled Supporters Association, Dublin, Glasgow, Limavady, Japan, New York, North Devon, Somerset, South Wales, Sweden, Swindon, Switzerland and Vectis (Isle of Wight).

Pictured below - the lads from OzSpurs -Tommy Silver, Colin Saunders, Anthony Goodman, Chris Flood, Joe Di Laudo and Steve Palmer.

And Spurs Japan - Junko Uchiuimi, Yuki Nito, Dipika Soni and Toshihiro Odai.

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It's all about what we can control - Clint

2013-05-18 13:26:00

We go into game 38 sitting fifth, just a point behind Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle.

“It’s all about what we can control, making sure we get the three points and hoping everything falls into place,” said the USA striker, who bagged goal number 12 of the season last week at Stoke, and then set-up Emmanuel Adebayor’s winner.

“That’s what our mindset is and that what we have to make sure we go out and accomplish.

“I’m sure Sunderland will be happy they are safe and perhaps sometimes playing without that pressure or fear of relegation will make you play better.

“It will be a tough game and we have to make sure we get the three points and take care of what we can take care of.”

Clint and Ade combined with just eight minutes left at Stoke and Clint feels the number of late goals we’ve managed recently underlines the determination of the squad.

“It shows our character, our fight and that we keep going until the end and that belief and attitude will only help when you try to accomplish the goals you’ve set,” he added.

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Andre aims for fitting finale

2013-05-17 17:23:00

That means victory against Sunderland in the finale at the Lane on Sunday.

Our previous best is 70 points in the 2009-10 campaign with 69 registered last term.

We go into the final weekend on that 69-point mark, a point behind Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle.

Andre and the players are solely focused on winning against Sunderland.

“We have to do our job and independent of results elsewhere, we want the achievement of reaching 72 points,” said Andre. “That’s important for us.

“We have to win and it’s not that straight forward. The ingredients of the game are dangerous. We have to be aware. We have to focus on our task.

“The determination is there. We’ll focus on our job, that’s most important and we’ll see what happens after that.”

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Season Ticket renewals - available at WHL on Sunday

2013-05-17 16:30:00

If you are planning to renew your Season Ticket at the Sunderland match on Sunday, you are advised to arrive early as it is anticipated that the Ticket Office will be extremely busy.

Please remember to bring your current membership card and Photo ID with you.

The Ticket Office will be open from midday this Sunday. Kick-off against Sunderland is 4pm.

Tickets can also be renewed at any time between now and Tuesday either online or by calling 0844 8440102 (Option 1).

More details here...

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Alex, Harry in England U20 World Cup squad

2013-05-17 15:29:00

Both players have spent periods out on loan this season. Injury restricted striker Harry to five appearances for Norwich before making 13 appearances, scoring twice, at Leicester City in the Championship. Back at Spurs, he played four times in the Barclays U21 Premier League, scoring once.

Versatile forward Alex made his Football League debut in the Championship for Peterborough United on loan before a six-week lay-off through injury. He eventually played six times for Posh.

His performances have caught the eye in both the Barclays U21 Premier League (10 matches, five goals) and NextGen Series (four games, four goals) this term.

Ex-Spur Peter Taylor is in charge of the squad and will be assisted by Chris Ramsey, our Senior Professional Phase Coach.

Taylor will narrow his squad down to 21 players on Friday, June 7.

The World Cup will take place in Turkey between June 21-July 13. England have been drawn in Group E alongside Iraq, Chile and Egypt.

England U20 squad

Goalkeepers - Jamal Blackman (Chelsea), Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), George Long (Sheffield United), Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough).

Defenders - Jake Bidwell (Everton), Sam Byram (Leeds United), Donervorn Daniels (West Bromwich Albion), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Daniel Potts (West Ham United), Adam Reach (Middlesbrough), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United)

Midfielders - Ross Barkley (Everton), Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United), Jake Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Coady (Liverpool), Larnell Cole (Manchester United), John Lundstram (Everton), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards - Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Adam Campbell (Newcastle United), Max Clayton (Crewe Alexandra), Rob Hall (West Ham United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Long (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), Luke Williams (Middlesbrough).

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