Spurs v Notts County 1899

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

September 4 1899

Spurs 4 Notts County 1

SPURS' first ever match at White Hart Lane ended in a comfortable victory against the oldest and, at the time, most famous club in the world.

More than 5,000 spectators turned out on a warm afternoon to watch Southern League Spurs take on a powerful County side that dominated the first half after the ceremonial kick-off, which was performed by chairman Charles Roberts.

County took the lead with a typically direct goal from McCairns, but Spurs, who even then had a reputation for close, passing football, responded seconds before half-time when John Kirwan's cross was met by Tom Pratt who drove the ball home from the edge of the area.

Spurs came out for the second half suitably buoyed by their equaliser and dominated proceedings from the restart and it wasn't long before they took the lead when County keeper Suter parried a Pratt effort, but he was left helpless as David Copeland hammered the rebound into the net.

The game was turned in Tottenham's favour on the hour when Suter was forced to leave the field injured and was replaced between the posts by midfielder Bull.

Bull's absence in midfield proved crucial as Spurs ran riot and Copeland went on to complete his hat-trick with two late goals to cap a memorable afternoon.

Team: Clawley; Erentz, Tait, Jones, McNaught, Morris, Smith, Pratt, Copeland, Cameron, Kirwan.
Attendance: 5,000