Spurs Legends
David Ginola
David Ginola lit up the Lane in the late 1990s. With his movie star looks and style both on and off the pitch, Ginola was pure box office - his performances worthy of star billing. A throwback to our great wingers Cliff Jones and Chris Waddle, Ginola had the lot – skill, pace, strength, the ability to shoot and cross with both feet and that French flamboyance we all loved.
Dimitar Berbatov
A unique talent, Dimitar Berbatov simply oozed class. His languid style, flawless technique and temperament was never more illustrated than when he tucked home a penalty in the League Cup Final against Chelsea in 2008. As many dared not even watch - including team-mate Didier Zokora, who was caught on camera facing the other way – ‘Berba’ stroked home from the spot as if he was playing in the park. Football just came easy to him.
Ledley King
Academy graduate, captain, legend, one-Club man – the King. One of the greatest-ever defenders to pull on the famous white jersey, Ledley led us for seven years with composure, tenacity and heart. He knew what it meant to play for Spurs. It's his Club, his one and only Club.
Rafael van der Vaart
He may have only been with us for two seasons, but Rafael van der Vaart certainly made an impression. What endeared ‘Rafa’ to fans was his desire, passion and ability on the ball, not to mention his eye for goal against north London rivals Arsenal! Rafa just got it. Ledley King said it felt like he was made to play for Spurs – Rafa’s only regret was leaving us too soon.
Robbie Keane
With four clubs by the age of 20 – we became the fifth at 22 – legendary midfielder Glenn Hoddle, manager at the time, suggested Robbie Keane needed a home. He found one at Spurs. The Republic of Ireland star was an instant hit with his energy, bundles of natural ability and eye for goal, not forgetting his trademark celebration. More than anything, ‘Keano’ loved playing football and that enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone.
Jimmy Greaves
Arguably the greatest striker ever to grace the game, ‘Greavsie’ set countless records during an incredible playing career, many of which still stand to this day.
Paul Gascoigne
Gazza. An icon of his generation. Cheeky, yes. Daft as a brush, according to Bobby Robson, but also a genius. At his best, Paul Gascoigne was one of the best in the world, without question, and one of the greatest players to wear a Spurs shirt. He certainly delivered one of our greatest moments when he pinged home a free-kick from 30 yards to help us beat Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. "That is schoolboys' own stuff," famously remarked commentator Barry Davies. It was, and we loved him for it.
Gary Lineker
One of the greatest goalscorers the game has seen and third in England’s all-time international list, Gary Lineker was an instinctive forward, lethal in and around the box. As a Spur, he had a stunning strike rate, hitting the net at a rate of better than a goal every other game. Making his name at his local club Leicester City, Lineker spent seven years at Filbert Street firing home over a century of goals and playing over 200 games for the Foxes.
Steve Perryman
Where to start with Stevie P? The most loyal, most decorated and one of the most respected figures in the history of Tottenham Hotspur. The start was actually 1967, when, as an England schoolboy international, he signed apprentice forms for Spurs with a host of clubs also interested. A letter from Bill Nicholson sits proudly on Steve’s wall at home, to this day. In it, Bill writes ‘we shall never have been more pleased to welcome any boy to our club’. A little over two years later, Steve made his debut against Sunderland, 27 September, 1969, and didn’t look back for the next 17 years.
Walter Tull
Walter Tull made only 10 appearances for Spurs. Yet his story goes beyond football. He was a trailblazer and war hero whose life continues to serve as an inspiration. Initially signed on amateur forms from Clapton in March, 1909, Walter, a centre or inside-forward - mobile, strong, clever in his play - impressed in appearances for our ‘A’ and reserve teams and took his place on our tour of Argentina and Uruguay in June, 1909.
Bill Nicholson
Bill Nicholson’s contribution to the history of Tottenham Hotspur will surely never be surpassed. Arriving as a teenage member of the groundstaff in 1936, he served as player, coach, assistant manager and manager over the next 38 years, during which time he won nine major honours, one as a player and eight as manager.
Bobby Buckle
Born on Stamford Street (now Penshurst Road), just off White Hart Lane, on 17 October 1868, Bobby Buckle is one of the key figures in the Club's history. Back in 1882, he was one of three youngsters from Hotspur Cricket Club who, legend has it, met under a gas lamp on the High Road with the motion to form a football club.
Gary Mabbutt
A model professional in the modern era, Gary Mabbutt played 611 games for Spurs in 16 years, placing him second only to the great Steve Perryman in our all-time appearance list and captained the team to FA Cup glory in 1991.
Glenn Hoddle
One of the most gifted players of his generation, voted many times over the years as our greatest-ever player, Glenn Hoddle lit up Spurs for 12 years with his sublime skills, unequalled passing ability, eye for a goal and that knack of being able to turn a game with a moment of magic. Fans of a certain vintage will be able to reel off any number of goals - volleys against Forest and United, that chip at Watford, a 35-yard humdinger into the top corner at the Kop end at Anfield or his final goal at the Lane in 1987, a run from inside his own half against Oxford, to name but a few.
Bobby Smith
Before Harry Kane, before even the great Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith set the goalscoring standard at Spurs. A feared striker in the 1950s and 1960s, the giant Yorkshireman began his career at Chelsea in 1950, joined us in 1955 and became the first player to score 200 goals for the Club. Bobby moved from the village of Lingdale, North Yorkshire, to the bright lights of London and Chelsea at the age of 15 in 1948. He was homesick in his early days at Stamford Bridge, and once caught the train back home. Thankfully, his father, Alfred, persuaded him to go back and stick it out.
Vivian Woodward
Before Harry Kane and Jimmy Greaves, there was Vivian Woodward. Arguably football's first 'superstar' and one of the club's all-time greats, Vivian shone for Spurs between 1901-1909, including scoring our first goal in the Football League in 1908. He was also appointed to our Board of Directors in 1908.
Danny Blanchflower
One of the most inspirational footballers of all-time, Danny Blanchflower captained our famous double side in 1960-61 and left an indelible mark in 10 years at the club.
John Cameron
Player, manager-secretary, tactical pioneer, union activist, journalist - John Cameron was a man of many parts, and he stands as one of the most important figures in the history of Tottenham Hotspur. At the age of only 26 in 1899, he was promoted from within to manage the team and act as club secretary while also being a crucial goalscorer - in his first full season in charge, Cameron, as player-manager, took Spurs to the Southern League title, and the next season the incredible achievement of lifting the FA Cup – the only time it has been won by a Southern League club and still the only time the famous trophy has been won by a non-league side.
Pat Jennings
Pat Jennings joined us from Watford in June, 1964. Initially battling it out with legendary double goalkeeper Bill Brown, Pat made his debut against Sheffield United in August of that year and having made 23 and 25 appearances in his first two seasons, established himself in 1966/67, when we landed the FA Cup.