Tottenham Hotspur has always been worth a visit as it is one of the classic English clubs. They still are, but now for a completely different reason: the club has recently started playing in the most modern football stadium in Europe and the reactions from friends and foes are only positive.
For a long time, Tottenham Hotspur was merely 'big' in name, not necessarily because of their performance. But certainly, in recent years, the team has returned to the top of the Premier League and is seen as one of the top six clubs in England. Trophies are still rare, however, as Spurs have only won a League Cup in the 21st century, in 2008.
It may not be the club with the most silverware, but Tottenham is a top club with a rich tradition of great players, especially midfielders such as Glenn Hoddle, Osvaldo Ardiles, Paul Gascoigne, David Ginola and Luka Modric.
From the outside, it is not at all similar to the old White Hart Lane. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is gigantic and far from subtle with its silver and mirrored walls. Once inside, you can't possibly be unimpressed. A crushing stadium with three rings of seats in stylish dark blue, a beautiful roof construction and behind one of the two goals a continuous stand, emulating Borussia Dortmund’s famous Gelbe Wand, with fantastic acoustics to back it up. In the blink of an eye, Tottenham has created the most beautiful stadium in North London. A battle they do win from their bitter rivals Arsenal.
Many fans have been left speechless since the arrival of the new, multifunctional stadium, including Tottenham's fans. Because the plans for the New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were big: they wanted to bring the NFL to London and host top concerts and boxing matches. The old White Hart Lane had served as the home of Spurs since the late nineteenth century but had somewhat hindered the club from really connecting with the English elite. In addition, the new stadium was intended to boost the development of the surrounding neighbourhood, which is not the best area in London, to say the least. In 2017 the time had come, Spurs played in White Hart Lane for the last time. The demolition already started the next day and the club played in Wembley for two years.
Even though they were sceptical before, Tottenham's fans are now generally positive. The word 'fan experience' always turns our stomachs a bit, but you see that people understood what it meant when constructing this stadium.
The Tottenham Hotspur logo is simple and recognisable: a ball topped by a 'cockerel', a rooster. This famous symbol has stood as a bronze statue on the roof of White Hart Lane since 1909 and was also brought to the new stadium. A completely new, larger version has been made, and this time it shines above the South Stand. Much to our delight, they have copied the old cockerel (except for the size) exactly, including all irregularities. There even is a mysterious dent in the ball on which the rooster stands.
Rumours had circulated for years that it was a German WWII bomb fragment, but the real story is even crazier: Paul Gascoigne (who else) was at White Hart Lane firing an airgun at pigeons and it didn't take him long until he decided to fire at the famous cockerel, resulting in the dent. Not a German bomber, but the ingeniously crazy Gazza.
Tottenham aims to be even more visible within its neighbourhood. The first step was taken by unveiling a large mural of Ledley King, the former captain of the club who never played anywhere else. The club legend was honoured by the proposal and impressed with the result. You can find the artwork near the stadium along Tottenham High Road, in the parking lot opposite number 710.
Tottenham's big rival is, of course, Arsenal, which is about four miles away. For years the Gunners were miles ahead of the Spurs in every way, but in recent years it has become closer. Tottenham often finishes high in the league, plays European football and, currently, also has a better stadium. Regardless of the relationship between the two clubs, the North London Derby guarantees war and is one of the most beautiful adverts of English football.
We warn you, this is not for the faint-hearted who are scared of heights. In the new stadium, you can 'climb' along the outside to the ridge of the stadium, up to the roof of the South Stand. The climb up is already quite exciting in itself, but the last metres are the most intense when you have to walk over the glass roof to the Cockerel at 46.80 meters up. The real daredevils can also abseil down, but we understand if you just stick to visiting the fan shop.
The Bricklayers is a proper football pub: club logos on the wall, flags and scarves on the ceiling and within crawling distance of the stadium. Particularly striking is the variety of traffic signs and access signs from around the stadium (stolen from everywhere?). Also, note the great black and white photos and the framed program booklets on the wall. The pub is on High Road (No 803) of Tottenham, the main street in the borough.
Of course, building a new stadium has a price, which is reflected in the amount you pay for a ticket. First of all, you have to buy a club membership for £43. Without this membership, you cannot buy tickets for competitive games.
If you find this a bit too much, it's best to wait until Tottenham plays at home against a small club in a cup game, or as is the case this year, in the Conference League. For these matches, you usually won’t need a membership.
Tottenham is located in the north of London and is easily accessible from the city centre. With the Overground you are in 20 minutes from the centrally located Liverpool Street station at White Hart Lane station, which is around the corner from the stadium. Northumberland Park railway station is also not far from the stadium, about ten minutes away.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
