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A few of us at school talked of going to a spurs game but it was just talk, apart from Jeff who shared that same burning desire as me to go to a game. Jeff said it was easy enough to do, a 102 bus ride from Golders Green Bus station to Sterling corner and we could just walk down the High Road and we would be there. We vowed to do it and in the current season too, the only stumbling block was funds! I had a paper round so I was ok but Jeff was not so lucky, I offered to pay for him but he was too proud to accept my offer. At the end of March he got some birthday money and we were on, unfortunately the Easter Holidays saw Jeff away with his family and games against QPR and Derby slipped by. There were only two home games left so we determined Saturday 30th April 1977 at home to Aston Villa was the day we were going to make it to the Lane.
I don’t think I slept a wink that night, we had agreed to be at Golders Green bus station for 10 am, I was a couple of minutes late but Jeff was not yet at the station so no problem. I excitedly waited for Jeff to arrive, after the 3rd 102 came and went I started to get worried surely Jeff would be coming, of course he would, maybe I was late and he decided not to wait for me. I was crestfallen and didn’t know what to do. I decided to go on my own and maybe I’d meet Jeff at the ground.
The plan was to follow the crowd and get off the bus at the same stop as everyone else and follow them to the ground; the slight flaw in the plan was that being so early I was the only person on the bus going to the game. Thankfully the scarf I was proudly wearing around my neck was a giveaway and the bus conductor (it was that long ago!)told me if I was going to the game I should get off here and walk down the High Street. The walk was a bit longer than I expected and I was just beginning to think I’d taken a wrong turn when I saw it, the street sign saying PAXTON ROAD, and wow I was so excited. I walked down the short distance and waited at the first turnstile I found. It was probably an hour before the turnstiles opened but I just stood there with an inane grin on my face I couldn’t believe it I was really going to see Spurs play.
The turnstile finally opened and I was in, I ran up to the terracing and wow I was in, the sun was beating down and the stadium looked amazing. I ran behind the goal and stood in amazement. As people gradually entered the ground I decided to see if Jeff was around, I went up and down the Paxton Road end and could see no sign of Jeff, I walked through the gate and walked along the East Stand, I didn’t know it was called the Shelf side in them days and I walked up to the middle terrace, quickly coming down deciding it was too steep and high for me. I went back to the Paxton Road end. The place began to fill up and the atmosphere was electric. We started well but fell behind to an early goal. We were soon level with a piece of magic from a young midfielder called Glenn Hoddle who curled in a 20 yard free kick (I course I didn’t know it at the time but young Glenn was going to be a source of great joy over the coming seasons as I became a regular at White Hart Lane.
As the players came out for the second half I truly was in heaven, and undoubtedly the highlight of my day my idol the one and only PAT JENNINGS was about 10 feet away from me smiling and humbly applauding the Paxton Road, what an imposing figure he was but what a gentleman and what a legend, and I got to see him play (sadly my second visit to the lane two weeks later was to be the last time I saw him in a Spurs shirt). We were the better team in the second half but time was running out when we struck a late to go in front, and moments later the place exploded as we got a third. WE ARE STAYING UP the crowd roared and a couple of kids ran onto the pitch and there shaking hands with Pat Jennings was Jeff! Apparently he had been grounded until his parents thought it would be too late for him to get to the game but he was in the ground just before kick-off. He was escorted from the ground by a burly police man which drew boos from several fans saying he was only an excited kid and they should put him back in the crowd. Moments later the final whistle went and white hart lane erupted. I was literally carried out of the ground by the swell of people heading towards the exit with my feet of the ground.
It was love at first sight
COYS
I don’t think I slept a wink that night, we had agreed to be at Golders Green bus station for 10 am, I was a couple of minutes late but Jeff was not yet at the station so no problem. I excitedly waited for Jeff to arrive, after the 3rd 102 came and went I started to get worried surely Jeff would be coming, of course he would, maybe I was late and he decided not to wait for me. I was crestfallen and didn’t know what to do. I decided to go on my own and maybe I’d meet Jeff at the ground.
The plan was to follow the crowd and get off the bus at the same stop as everyone else and follow them to the ground; the slight flaw in the plan was that being so early I was the only person on the bus going to the game. Thankfully the scarf I was proudly wearing around my neck was a giveaway and the bus conductor (it was that long ago!)told me if I was going to the game I should get off here and walk down the High Street. The walk was a bit longer than I expected and I was just beginning to think I’d taken a wrong turn when I saw it, the street sign saying PAXTON ROAD, and wow I was so excited. I walked down the short distance and waited at the first turnstile I found. It was probably an hour before the turnstiles opened but I just stood there with an inane grin on my face I couldn’t believe it I was really going to see Spurs play.
The turnstile finally opened and I was in, I ran up to the terracing and wow I was in, the sun was beating down and the stadium looked amazing. I ran behind the goal and stood in amazement. As people gradually entered the ground I decided to see if Jeff was around, I went up and down the Paxton Road end and could see no sign of Jeff, I walked through the gate and walked along the East Stand, I didn’t know it was called the Shelf side in them days and I walked up to the middle terrace, quickly coming down deciding it was too steep and high for me. I went back to the Paxton Road end. The place began to fill up and the atmosphere was electric. We started well but fell behind to an early goal. We were soon level with a piece of magic from a young midfielder called Glenn Hoddle who curled in a 20 yard free kick (I course I didn’t know it at the time but young Glenn was going to be a source of great joy over the coming seasons as I became a regular at White Hart Lane.
As the players came out for the second half I truly was in heaven, and undoubtedly the highlight of my day my idol the one and only PAT JENNINGS was about 10 feet away from me smiling and humbly applauding the Paxton Road, what an imposing figure he was but what a gentleman and what a legend, and I got to see him play (sadly my second visit to the lane two weeks later was to be the last time I saw him in a Spurs shirt). We were the better team in the second half but time was running out when we struck a late to go in front, and moments later the place exploded as we got a third. WE ARE STAYING UP the crowd roared and a couple of kids ran onto the pitch and there shaking hands with Pat Jennings was Jeff! Apparently he had been grounded until his parents thought it would be too late for him to get to the game but he was in the ground just before kick-off. He was escorted from the ground by a burly police man which drew boos from several fans saying he was only an excited kid and they should put him back in the crowd. Moments later the final whistle went and white hart lane erupted. I was literally carried out of the ground by the swell of people heading towards the exit with my feet of the ground.
It was love at first sight
COYS
That was my second game.
First was against Sheffield Wed on 1 Nov 1969, Stevie's first season and Greavsie's last. Roger Morgan scored the only goal. Don't really remember much of the actual game, but still remember the feeling of walking into the ground and feeling immediately at home. I stood under the Shelf, right at the front. Entrance via the Boys' entrance cost three shillings and sixpence in old money - about 17p! The team were Jennings, Want, Knowles, Mullery, England, Beal, Morgan, Greaves, Pearce, Gilzean, Perryman. The attendance was 31,655 and me
. Kick off was 3pm on a Saturday - happy days!
Went on a Premier League tour in April 2009. I land at Heathrow at 8:00am, get to my hotel by 9:30, and get whisked off to White Hart Lane shortly thereafter to see us beat West Ham 1-0 thanks to a Pav goal. Block 16. Row 2. West Lower. Right in line with the corner flag and where Spurs took warm ups. It was surreal to see everyone that close to me.
Next 2 were April 2010 when we beat Woolwich & Chelsea back to back in 4 days.
Last one was last game of 2012 season where we beat Fulham 2-0
Point is, if we desperately need a win v a London club, I suggest a fucking collection to fly my ass over there & get me into the ground somehow.
Next 2 were April 2010 when we beat Woolwich & Chelsea back to back in 4 days.
Last one was last game of 2012 season where we beat Fulham 2-0
Point is, if we desperately need a win v a London club, I suggest a fucking collection to fly my ass over there & get me into the ground somehow.
September 17 2015
Europa League v Qarabag
Was in Europe for my honeymoon and made sure to book a stop in London. Was planning on the Palace match that was to be that Sunday, but it got pushed. Luckily the draw had us at home, so I was able to make it to the match.
Gave up the early pen, then Son had a brace (his first goals for the club), Lamela scored and had a boner after, if anyone remembers, and N'Jie made his club debut.
Did a stadium tour the following morning. So thankful that I was able to make it to the Lane. The experience was immense. Big fan of Chick King too.
One of the pics from the night...
Europa League v Qarabag
Was in Europe for my honeymoon and made sure to book a stop in London. Was planning on the Palace match that was to be that Sunday, but it got pushed. Luckily the draw had us at home, so I was able to make it to the match.
Gave up the early pen, then Son had a brace (his first goals for the club), Lamela scored and had a boner after, if anyone remembers, and N'Jie made his club debut.
Did a stadium tour the following morning. So thankful that I was able to make it to the Lane. The experience was immense. Big fan of Chick King too.
One of the pics from the night...
My first game at White Hart Lane was a reserve game in 1989. Spurs beat Luton Town 2-1 don't remember much about the game but Bobby Mimms was in goal and John Moncur stood out from the rest of the team. Security let me run around the edge of the pitch after the game had ended!
My first proper game was in September 1992 in the East Stand upper when Spurs beat Everton 2-1, Spurs were 1-0 down when Paul Allen equalised with 10 minutes to go and a 17 year old Andy Turner got the winner in injury time. I think I must have re-read the programme about 50 times in the following week.
My first proper game was in September 1992 in the East Stand upper when Spurs beat Everton 2-1, Spurs were 1-0 down when Paul Allen equalised with 10 minutes to go and a 17 year old Andy Turner got the winner in injury time. I think I must have re-read the programme about 50 times in the following week.
As a student from Czech Republic I finally made my first trip to WHL last season against Stoke. I went to Bricklayers before the match and was blown away. Sang my heart out and forgot there two shirts i bought in a Spurs shop before.:avbfacepalm: Luckily i put the other shirt and jacket I bought on. It was a good game. We ran around a bit. Bale hit a bar than they obviously scored shitty goal but Rafa saved the day in the 93rd minute. :rafaaaa: I also spent almost all the money that day and did't have anything to eat the next two days till my plane flew back. :gomes:
Still best day(s) of my life.
Still best day(s) of my life.
I must have posted this before but anyway....
Had been a fan since around Feb 1968 but lived abroad so the first time i got to actually see a game was 12th Aug 1972 at home to Coventry.
We won 2-1 with 2 Martin Peters goals.
Crowd was 33884 (just looked it up).
Came 8th in the League, won the League Cup & got to the semi-final of the UEFA cup (lost to Liverpool - must have been on pens as we appear to have drawn 2-2 on agg?)
First game i went to on my own (ie, not with the old man but with a mate) was
25/8/1976 vs Newcastle (mid-week if memory serves).
We lost 2-0 & crowd was 24022.
Just three months later had my first tear-up with Woolwich -
23/11/1976 on my way home from Pat Jennings testimonial.
Had been a fan since around Feb 1968 but lived abroad so the first time i got to actually see a game was 12th Aug 1972 at home to Coventry.
We won 2-1 with 2 Martin Peters goals.
Crowd was 33884 (just looked it up).
Came 8th in the League, won the League Cup & got to the semi-final of the UEFA cup (lost to Liverpool - must have been on pens as we appear to have drawn 2-2 on agg?)
First game i went to on my own (ie, not with the old man but with a mate) was
25/8/1976 vs Newcastle (mid-week if memory serves).
We lost 2-0 & crowd was 24022.
Just three months later had my first tear-up with Woolwich -
23/11/1976 on my way home from Pat Jennings testimonial.
My first game was against derby In the 2001/2002 season. I had never been to a football match before and started working as a programme seller when I was 16 at the lane. Derby was my first game. One of the managers before the game let me walk on the pitch. It was so green. After I finished work I decided to sneak in and find a seat. I don't remember much about the game except for the drum and being over whelmed by the crowd. I really felt like I was at home. Continued to work at spurs for 6 years and as a result have sat in all the stands trying to find seats. As a rule the stewards in the shelf and park lane were pretty cool whilst alot of the Paxton stewards were job worth wankers. I remember one lady in particular was always on my case.
After about two years one programme seller showed my a spot in the shelf at the back near the drum where we could watch games. What was great was that using our staff pass we could go through the park lane onto the corner of the pitch then walk up into the shelf. I saw many epic games up there including the 4 4 against villa and chelsea. The 5 1 against Chelsea and Robinsons goal against Watford. What I will miss about the shelf is the way you recognise all the faces. 31 now and the same people still recognise me from back in the day. Really gutted that WHL is ending.
After about two years one programme seller showed my a spot in the shelf at the back near the drum where we could watch games. What was great was that using our staff pass we could go through the park lane onto the corner of the pitch then walk up into the shelf. I saw many epic games up there including the 4 4 against villa and chelsea. The 5 1 against Chelsea and Robinsons goal against Watford. What I will miss about the shelf is the way you recognise all the faces. 31 now and the same people still recognise me from back in the day. Really gutted that WHL is ending.
Being the son of a tight United fan and growing up on the Thanet riviera I didn't get to go to the lane until April 1994 at 13 years old for Southampton game, Samways Anderton and Sedgely scored and I honestly don't remember anything about the game I just remember the stadium, in particular the south stand being developed and nobody being in it!
The reserves did come down to play Ramsgate in 1993 so that was technically first, and who would have known Nethercott, Caskey and Mahorn would have gone on to be household names!!
Funny enough 23 years later this March Southampton was my last game too, sad to see it go but got to be done to compete. Any one of you going tomorrow just enjoy it, soak it all in COYS
The reserves did come down to play Ramsgate in 1993 so that was technically first, and who would have known Nethercott, Caskey and Mahorn would have gone on to be household names!!
Funny enough 23 years later this March Southampton was my last game too, sad to see it go but got to be done to compete. Any one of you going tomorrow just enjoy it, soak it all in COYS
have alook here fella loads of old photo's & archive video you wont have seen anywhere else!..feck the opus!!...wonderful site
http://www.ohwhenthespurs.co.uk/
at the top are little icons,..click on "fans". when the page loads scroll down to thebottom past all the trouble on the terraces video's (come backto them later!!)&click on the enter icon right at the bottom & another page will load!..scroll & on right hand side are icons "white hart lane 60's & 80's click onthe 60's icon & a video will come of fans inthe60's...it starts with a steam train arriving at whl station...wonderful stuff that unashamedly brings tears to my eyes,
enjoy lads& ladies
Not sure if it was 1991 or '92 but it was Everton at home I think. Was on shelf side standing with the old man and my Brother (who got me into Spurs) and had a hard time seeing anything being a wee lad and all that. We were 3-0 up at half time and drew 3-3 in the end. It was here I knew this was the pain and disappointment I wanted to endure for the rest of my life. 
Spurs vs Southampton in the Cup 1990.
We lost 3-1.
Shelf Side Lower.
Freezing and we played like shit.
And so the love began...
We lost 3-1.
Shelf Side Lower.
Freezing and we played like shit.
And so the love began...
Grew up in a family where sport didn't matter, so was never presented the chance to get up to a game until I was an adult.... then, as a cheap arse uni student in London in the mid 90s, was given a golden opportunity - St John's Ambulance :-D I happily took my penance of wearing a uniform, looking after a cadet on my post, and the risk of having to miss part of games due to some sozzled prick falling down the steps, or the ridiculously high number of Heart Attacks we had in the boxes in those days (lets be honest, Spurs in the 90s was not a chill experience)
First game was in the South East Corner, 24 Feb 1996 Spurs v Sheffield Wednesday. A flaky 1-0 win (Chris Armstrong), but my abiding memories, apart from all the behind the scenes access on my first trip in, getting to walk on the red clay behind the Park Lane goal, and standing in the corner at pitch level, was the noise of the fans coming from Paxton Lower, seeing this place I had dreamed about since I was a wee lad, and Gary Mabbut charging with the ball like a bull elephant from our half toward the Park Lane goal
It may not have the wow factor of my wife (Spurs v Derby 8/9/90, Paul Gascoigne HT), or my son (Spurs v WBA, 14/1/17, Kane HT), but it was a unique opportunity I was glad to get
my first month saw me then move up to the Legends box 2 weeks later for the cup replay against Forest, before being moved on a semi-permanent basis to the plinth in between the McDonalds family stand and the monster pit of Paxton Lower, that first game seeing Alan Shearer complete an injury time hattrick to beat us
I don't care how shit we were in the mid 90s, being able to "watch" my Tottenham for free for 16 months was astonishingly brilliant, and as soon as I got the chance to grab a ST in 2003 I was there, and I now sit not 20m in Park lower from my first trip to the Lane
Sunday is going to be emotional, glorious, and a huge celebration, but I am looking forward to getting 21+ more years of memories in the new place
First game was in the South East Corner, 24 Feb 1996 Spurs v Sheffield Wednesday. A flaky 1-0 win (Chris Armstrong), but my abiding memories, apart from all the behind the scenes access on my first trip in, getting to walk on the red clay behind the Park Lane goal, and standing in the corner at pitch level, was the noise of the fans coming from Paxton Lower, seeing this place I had dreamed about since I was a wee lad, and Gary Mabbut charging with the ball like a bull elephant from our half toward the Park Lane goal
It may not have the wow factor of my wife (Spurs v Derby 8/9/90, Paul Gascoigne HT), or my son (Spurs v WBA, 14/1/17, Kane HT), but it was a unique opportunity I was glad to get
my first month saw me then move up to the Legends box 2 weeks later for the cup replay against Forest, before being moved on a semi-permanent basis to the plinth in between the McDonalds family stand and the monster pit of Paxton Lower, that first game seeing Alan Shearer complete an injury time hattrick to beat us
I don't care how shit we were in the mid 90s, being able to "watch" my Tottenham for free for 16 months was astonishingly brilliant, and as soon as I got the chance to grab a ST in 2003 I was there, and I now sit not 20m in Park lower from my first trip to the Lane
Sunday is going to be emotional, glorious, and a huge celebration, but I am looking forward to getting 21+ more years of memories in the new place
I blew me away - I had never experienced anything like it - even Chinese new year in Singapore seemed like a Church quiet reflection meeting. I have no idea what happened to the guy who took me and told my parents he'd look after me, and have no recollection of buying a ticket to get in, I just remember getting ushered forwards and ending up on the concrete base of either a stanchion or a floodlight pylon.
The collective anguish when that header went in was solid grief and I remember having tears in my eyes at the final whistle.
But I was sold, totally and utterly sold. I have never looked back or had a second thought since then.
Man City opening game of the season, Aug 25th 1990, just after Italia 90. 2 from Lineker, 1 from Gazza.
Was in the Paxton Road lower as a Junior Spur, think it cost me £5 to get in and stand. Absolutely loved it and regularly made the 3 hr round trip on the tube and British Rail that season, culminating in FA Cup semi at Wembley with Gazza's free kick.
Was in the Paxton Road lower as a Junior Spur, think it cost me £5 to get in and stand. Absolutely loved it and regularly made the 3 hr round trip on the tube and British Rail that season, culminating in FA Cup semi at Wembley with Gazza's free kick.
I'm old:
23rd August 1972. Spurs 2 Birmingham City 0
Spurs starting 11 was:-
Pat Jennings
Phil Beal
Joe Kinnear
Mike England
Cyril Knowles
John Pratt
Martin Peters
Steve Perryman
Ralph Coates
Martin Chivers
Alan Gilzean
Went with my dad. Later went alone and stood on the Shelf for many years. My dad's been gone for 26 years now and I have a tear in my eye that I will never be able to go to the Lane again.
23rd August 1972. Spurs 2 Birmingham City 0
Spurs starting 11 was:-
Pat Jennings
Phil Beal
Joe Kinnear
Mike England
Cyril Knowles
John Pratt
Martin Peters
Steve Perryman
Ralph Coates
Martin Chivers
Alan Gilzean
Went with my dad. Later went alone and stood on the Shelf for many years. My dad's been gone for 26 years now and I have a tear in my eye that I will never be able to go to the Lane again.
Spurs v Leeds 1968 i think it was, it was the game when this famous picture was taken of Dave Mackay squaring up to Billy bremner.
