Tottenham Hotspur celebrates Black History Month by honouring club trailblazers

•    Tottenham Hotspur partners with Show Racism the Red Card to celebrate pioneering Black players from the Club’s Men’s and Women’s teams.
•    A Stadium Tour showcase will tell the stories of the Men’s First Black XI and early Spurs Women trailblazers throughout the remainder of Black History Month.
•    Those featured in the showcase will be introduced on the pitch ahead of the home Premier League match against Coventry City on Monday 19 October.

In partnership with Show Racism the Red Card, the Club will present a showcase celebrating the first 11 Black players to represent its men’s first team, alongside early pioneers whose contributions helped shape the history of Tottenham Hotspur Women.

Exhibition panels telling the players’ stories will be available to supporters taking part in behind-the-scenes Stadium Tours from tomorrow (Thursday 15 October) for the remainder of Black History Month. Those featured in the showcase will then be introduced to supporters on the pitch ahead of the Club’s home Premier League match against Coventry City on Monday 19 October.

The initiative forms part of the Club’s wider work to reconnect with the rich footballing heritage on which Tottenham Hotspur is built and to celebrate the achievements of past players and teams.

Today, members of the first Black 11 will join local school children at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an educational session, delivered by Spurs in the Community and Show Racism the Red Card, on the Club’s black history, with a key focus on Walter Tull - the Club’s first Black player and the first Black outfield footballer in Britain. 

Kate Miller, Chief Communications Officer, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “Tottenham Hotspur’s history has been shaped by people who broke barriers and opened doors for those who followed. Black History Month gives us an important opportunity to recognise their contribution, share their stories with supporters and ensure their legacy remains an enduring part of our Club. We are proud to be working with Show Racism the Red Card to celebrate these trailblazers across both our Men’s and Women’s teams.”

The Men’s First Black XI

• Walter Tull – 10 appearances, 1909–1911: the Club’s first Black player and the first Black outfield footballer in Britain. He later served in the Footballers’ Battalion during the First World War and was killed in action in France in 1918.
• Chris Hughton – 398 appearances, 1979–1990: a graduate of the youth ranks who won two FA Cups and the 1984 UEFA Cup – recently inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame
• Garth Crooks – 174 appearances, 1980–1985: a prolific forward who also won two FA Cups and the 1984 UEFA Cup.
• Pat Corbett – 5 appearances, 1981–1983: a Tottenham apprentice who scored the winner on his senior debut against Southampton.
• Danny Thomas – 116 appearances, 1983–1988: an England international full-back and member of the 1984 UEFA Cup-winning side.
• John Chiedozie – 75 appearances, 1984–1988: a quick, goalscoring winger who scored on his Spurs debut at Everton.
• Mitchell Thomas – 198 appearances, 1986–1991: an attack-minded defender who helped Spurs finish third and reach the FA Cup Final in his first season.
• Chris Fairclough – 70 appearances, 1987–1989: a dependable central defender and the Club’s only ever-present player in 1987–88.
• Brian Statham – 27 appearances, 1987–1992: a Spurs youth-system graduate who went on to represent England Under-21s.
• Andy Gray – 33 appearances, 1992–1994: the Club’s first Black footballer of the Premier League era.
• Jeff Minton – 3 appearances, 1992–1994: an Academy graduate who scored on his senior debut against Everton.

Spurs Women: The Trailblazers

The history of Tottenham Hotspur Women has been shaped by the contributions of notable black players over the years - from the team’s creation as Broxbourne Ladies in 1985, through to the present day team competing in the Women’s Super League. 

The Club is taking this opportunity to celebrate the early trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of black players, including Jackie Fearon and Zoella Freeman.  

Jackie joined Spurs Ladies in 1994 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Club over the next decade. A versatile player, she started her career as a striker before settling in central midfield, where she was renowned for her tough tackling and aerial prowess at nearly 6ft tall, weighing in with her fair share of goals. She captained the side and even had a short spell as manager in 2004.

Zoella joined at the age of 18 in 1998, making over 100 appearances across seven seasons in Lilywhite. Known for being a fast and physical striker, also committed to the defensive cause, she finished as leading goalscorer in just her second season with the Club, 1999-2000. 

The legacy of Jackie, Zoella and other black players in the early years of Spurs Women continues to live on in the present day through the likes of England international, Jess Naz, and current Club captain, Drew Spence.