The legacy of ‘The Ghost’ lives on through unique artwork

It was an emotional occasion for two lifelong fans as they visited the stadium recently.

For one, it meant seeing the legacy of his late father live on in our new home. The other is the man who admitted being brought to tears when he first drew the image that now has a special place within the stadium and ensures an all-time great is never forgotten.

John White - affectionately known as ‘The Ghost’ for the way he used to appear within an opponent’s box seemingly without defenders knowing - was a key member of our greatest ever team, the 1960-1961 Double-winning side.

Tragically, aged just 27, the Scotland international lost his life when he was struck by lightning on a golf course at the peak of his career, leaving a widow, Sandra, a two-year-old daughter, Mandy, and a six-month old son, Rob.

Now a Season Ticket Holder and somebody who has dedicated his life to building memories of the father he never got to know, Rob was accompanied on this special visit to the stadium by Paul Trevillion – a renowned artist famed for his long-running ‘You Are The Ref’ illustrated series.

It was Paul, a close friend of the Club, who was asked to produce a piece of artwork that he describes as ‘the hardest thing I’d ever have to do’ just months after John’s untimely death.

His iconic illustration of John formed the front cover of the matchday programme for what was to be the John White Memorial Match as Spurs took on a Scotland XI at The Lane in November, 1964.

And it is that front cover that now takes pride of place within the stadium’s South Stand Market Place within one of two matchday programme collage feature walls that reside there - a popular attraction for fans visiting our new home.

Rob said: “Somebody had sent me a picture of the programme cover on the wall from the South Stand familiarisation event the Club held in December and I was really excited.

“People go to the stadium to feel at home - it’s about more than just football. I was so pleased to see that my Dad would be remembered in the new stadium and that people would still continue to talk about him.

“The reaction from fans on a matchday to the programme wall is brilliant because all the front covers evoke special memories that fans may have.

“As somebody whose Dad played for the Club and whose grandfather (Harry Evans) was Assistant Manager, I’m so pleased that such a fitting tribute has been paid to our heritage.”

For Paul, this was his first visit to our new home and the experience was a particularly poignant one - upon seeing his artwork immortalised in the stadium, the memories came flooding back.

He said: “When I first saw the artwork on the wall, I broke down in tears. When I drew that front cover (in 1964), it was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do, because every time I started drawing my tears would keep hitting the paper and I couldn’t finish, but I was on a tight deadline.

“At games I used to get as near as I could to the players so I could draw them. I used to stand behind Ted Ditchburn’s goal at the Paxton Road end and I used to study the players’ faces. That’s how I learnt to draw. Players like John White were my heroes.

“The players even used to give me advice on my drawings - Alf Ramsey used to tell me that I drew him leaning too far back if he was kicking the ball! The best advice I ever got was from Bill Nicholson, who told me I could always do better. I was not the best at school and struggled to read and write - I considered the players to be like my teachers.”

On the stadium itself, he continued: “The stadium is unbelievable - it’s more than a football stadium...it’s home. The result of the match is important - but what’s more important is how you feel as a fan when you enter the ground. You wouldn’t just come here to see the match - it would be a day out.

“When I walked out into the bowl for the first time, it was as though I could see all the players of years gone by out on that pitch...it was all too much for me.”