In That Number | Joanne Ayre

The series began with our Legacy Number No 1 and goalkeeper, Joanne Ayre….

First of all, how did you get involved with Spurs?



“In the summer of 2011, I got a call from Karen Hills (Spurs manager at that time) and if an ex-women’s football player of that calibre says ‘I would like you to trial for us’, what more do you say? Well, I did say yes, but I could only train Thursday evenings as Tuesday evenings I used to coach. At that point, I was waiting for the 'you’re not for us' line, but instead she accepted that. I remember turning up for a friendly game at New River Sports Centre on a cold rainy evening ready for the match - and that’s where it began.”

Talk to us about your time with the Club?

“I was brought into the Club as an experienced Southern Premier League goalkeeper at the time, having played in the league for a few years with another club. As 2011 was the first time in the Club’s history playing in the Women's National League pyramid, it was about establishing ourselves in the league and aiming to finish around mid-table. One of the happiest moments for me was in the 2011/12 season, where we won the cup final and I was awarded Manager’s Player of the Season. I spent three seasons at the club playing in the Southern Premier League.”

Recently we announced our Legacy Numbers and you are number one, how does that make you feel?

“I loved being ‘Jo Ayre – number one’ during my years at Spurs and I was happy with just that. As a lifelong Spurs fan, there’s no other shirt I would want to be wearing or representing. There have been many number ones before and after me, and many still to come to experience that feeling. It’s a phenomenal feeling and now, thanks to the Legacy Numbers and the alphabetical order, I get that feeling back and be number one forever in the club’s history. It makes me feel connected to the Club again and the fans.”

You recently had the opportunity to meet our current number one, Lize Kop, do you manage to keep up to date with the current squad and what are your thoughts?



“It was an honour meeting another Spurs number one. I was also introduced to some of the other goalkeepers and discussed senior football with them. Life is busy as I have two young children and although I’m not able to watch many games live, I do make sure I catch up on the match highlights or any televised games. Since the introduction of games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a couple of seasons ago, I have made every effort to get to those, taking my little girl along with me and I love hearing her shout out ‘Come on You Spurs', and this is the year I will start bringing my son too. As for thoughts of the current team, we have laid down good foundations and with the new additions this season with WSL experience, alongside some new young talent into the English league, we are starting to embed our style of play. There is still, as always, learning to be done, but I have high hopes for this season. I love seeing the increased fan base and how every player is inspiring the next generation, while also giving fans the opportunity to experience a fantastic stadium.”

Lastly, what have you been up to since your time at the club?

“Since leaving the Club, I played a further three years at another club before seeing out my retirement from playing as it was affecting my career/day job. COVID hit, and I felt a bit lost having played football from the age of 13, always being in a team, so I began to struggle. I didn’t want to go back to being a goalkeeper, so I focused on taking up a new sport as a forward. I still throw myself around, but this time it’s to score goals and not save them.”