:History of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

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| quote= On the 5th of September, 1882, the subscriptions to the club were commenced to be received, and the same, augmented by a small sum from the Cricket Club, were expended in purchasing wood for goal and flag posts, material for flags, tape (there were no cross-bars then), stationery and stamps, and later, a ball. The goal posts, one of which is still in existence, were of amateur make and made by Mr. Casey, the father of two of the members, and painted blue and white; the first ball was given by the big brother of the same two members, and he had some time back suggested the name of 'Hotspur' when the Cricket Club started.

The actual founders of the Football Club were: J. Anderson, T. Anderson, E. Beavan, R. Buckle, H.D. (Sam or Ham) Casey, L.R. Casey, F. Dexter, S. Leaman, J.H. Thompson, Jnr., P. Thompson, and E. Wall. R. Buckle was captain, H.D. Casey the vice-captain, J.H. Thompson, Jnr. the secretary, and L.R. Casey the treasurer.

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|author= A Romance of Football: The History of the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (1921){{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=4 }}

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The Hotspur Football Club was formed in 1882 by a group of schoolboys from Saint John's Middle Class School and Tottenham Grammar School. Mostly aged 13 to 14, the boys were members of the Hotspur Cricket Club formed two years earlier.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=4 }} Robert Buckle with his two friends Sam Casey and John Anderson conceived the idea of a football club so they could continue to play sport during the winter months. Club lore states that the boys gathered one night under a lamppost along Tottenham High Road about 100 yards/metres from the now-demolished White Hart Lane ground, and agreed to form a football club.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 1: A crowd walked across the muddy fields to watch the Hotspur play }} The date of their meeting is unknown, so the Hotspur Football Club is taken to have been formed on 5 September 1882, when the eleven boys had to start paying their first annual subscriptions of sixpence.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=20}} By the end of the year the club had eighteen members.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=4 }} Although the name Northumberland Rovers was mooted, the boys settled on the name Hotspur. As with the cricket club, it was chosen in honour of Sir Henry Percy (better known as Harry Hotspur, the rebel of Shakespeare's Henry IV, part 1), whose Northumberland family once owned land in the area, including Northumberland Park in Tottenham, where the club is located.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p= 39}}

The boys initially held their meetings under lampposts in Northumberland Park or in half-built houses on the adjoining Willoughby Lane in Tottenham. In August 1883 the boys sought the assistance of John Ripsher, the warden of Tottenham YMCA and Bible-class teacher at All Hallows Church, who became the first president of the club and its treasurer.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=5 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/john-ripsher-240907/ |title=John Ripsher |date=24 September 2007 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161919/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/john-ripsher-240907/ |url-status=live }} A few days later he presided over a meeting of twenty-one club members in the basement kitchen of the YMCA at Percy House or its annex on the High Road, which became the club's first headquarters. Ripsher, who continued as president until 1894, supported the boys through the club's formative years, reorganising it and establishing the club's ethos.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2321886/Why-Tottenham-Hotspur-owe-it-all-to-a-pauper.html |title=Why Tottenham Hotspur owe it all to a pauper |work=The Telegraph |date=24 September 2007 |first=Nicholas |last=Spencer |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509035406/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2321886/Why-Tottenham-Hotspur-owe-it-all-to-a-pauper.html |url-status=live }} The stability he provided in the early years helped the club survive, unlike many others of the period that did not.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p= 41}} Ripsher found new premises for the club when the boys were evicted in 1884 after a YMCA council member was accidentally hit by a soot-covered football: first at 1 Dorset Villa, a church-owned property on Northumberland Park where they stayed for two years, then to the Red House on High Road around 1885–86 after they were again asked to leave, this time for playing cards in church.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=10–11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=236039|title=Northumberland Development Project, Tottenham|date=October 2009|work=Haringey Council|access-date=8 August 2019}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Red House, which stood beside the entrance gate to White Hart Lane but was demolished in 2016 during the ground's redevelopment,{{cite news |url= http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/14561021.Campaigners_say_demolition_of_Tottenham_Hotspur___s_club_headquarters_has____robbed____town_of_history/ |title= Campaigners say demolition of Tottenham Hotspur's club headquarters has "robbed" town of history |date= 16 June 2016 |work= This is Local London |access-date= 5 August 2017 |archive-date= 6 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170806022732/http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/14561021.Campaigners_say_demolition_of_Tottenham_Hotspur___s_club_headquarters_has____robbed____town_of_history/ |url-status= live }} was the club's headquarters until its move to 808 High Road in 1891. It was later bought by the club in 1921 and became its official address (748 Tottenham High Road) in 1935.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=35}}{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=823073 |title=The Red House, 748 Tottenham High Road |author=Donald Insall Architects |work=Haringey Council |date=April 2016 |access-date=8 August 2019 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616065306/http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=823073 |url-status=dead }} In April 1884, owing to letters for another London club named Hotspur being misdirected to North London, the club was renamed Tottenham Hotspur Football Club to avoid any further confusion.{{cite web|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/history_yearbyyear.html|title=History: Year by year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716192837/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/history_yearbyyear.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=22 December 2010}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=10}} The team were referred to as "Spurs" in press reports as early as 1883{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=6 }}{{cite news |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001055/18841125/083/0004|work=The Sportsman |title=Pastime: St. Peter's (2nd Eleven) v Tottenham Hotspur|date=25 November 1884 |page=4 |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 July 2019}} (the use of "Spurs" for a team called Hotspur predates the formation of Tottenham Hotspur),{{efn|For an example of clubs called Spurs, see report of a match in The Referee, 14 November 1880, page 6}} and they have also been called "the Lilywhites" after the white jerseys they have worn since the late 19th century.{{cite book |last1=Nilsson |first1=Leonard Jägerskiöld |title=World Football Club Crests: The Design, Meaning and Symbolism of World Football's Most Famous Club Badges |date=2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4729-5424-4 |page=56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2MB2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |access-date=14 September 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716074819/https://books.google.com/books?id=2MB2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19370220/419/0016 |title=Up the Lily-Whites |work=Liverpool Echo |page=8 |date= 20 February 1937 }}

File:Tottenham Hotspur team in 1885.jpg middle row fourth left, Robert Buckle bottom row second left.]]

The boys played their early matches on public ground at Tottenham Marshes, where they needed to mark out and prepare their own pitch, and on occasions had to defend against other teams who might try to take it over.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 1: A crowd walked across the muddy fields to watch the Hotspur play }} Local pubs were used as dressing rooms. Robert Buckle was the team's first captain,{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=38}} and for two years the boys largely played games among themselves, but the number of friendly fixtures against other clubs gradually increased. The first recorded match took place on 30 September 1882 against a local team named the Radicals, a game Hotspur lost 2–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/potted-history-081104/ |title=Potted History |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=8 November 2004 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629235733/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/potted-history-081104/ |url-status=live }} The first game reported by the local press was on 6 October 1883 against Brownlow Rovers, which Spurs won 9–0.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921 |page=6 }} The team played their first competitive match on 17 October 1885 against St Albans, a company works team, in the London Football Association Cup. The match was attended by 400 spectators, and Spurs won 5–2.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=22}} In the early days Spurs were essentially a schoolboy team, sometimes playing against adults, but older players later joined, and the squad strengthened as they absorbed players from other local clubs.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=20}} Some of the early members such as Buckle, Sam Casey, John Thompson and Jack Jull stayed with the club for many years as players, committee members or directors; for example Jull played until 1896, while Buckle served in various roles on the club committee and was on the first board of directors of Tottenham formed in 1898 until he left in 1900.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/buckle-family-visit-white-hart-lane-280317/ |title=Emotional return to the Lane for family of one of Club's Founders, Bobby Buckle|date= 28 March 2017 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=22 March 2018 }}

Spurs attracted the interest of the local community soon after their formation, and the number of spectators for their matches grew to 4,000 within a few years. As their games were played on public land, no admission fees could be charged for spectators. In 1888 Tottenham moved their home fixtures from the Tottenham Marshes to Northumberland Park, where they rented an enclosed ground and were able to charge for admission and control the crowd. The first match there was on 13 October 1888, a reserve match that yielded gate receipts of 17 shillings.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}} A week later they were beaten 8–2 by Old Etonians in their first senior game at the ground.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=38}} Spectators were usually charged 3d a game, raised to 6d for cup ties. By the early 1890s, a cup tie may draw a few thousand paying supporters.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}} In the early days there were no stands except for a couple of wagons as seats and wooden trestles for spectators to stand on, but for the 1894–95 season, the first stand with just over 100 seats and a changing room underneath was built on the ground.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921|page=22 }} The club attempted to join the Southern League in 1892 but failed when it received only one vote.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DvHFMeOgffoC&pg=PT145 |title=The London Compendium |first= Ed |last=Glinert |publisher=Penguin |date=2012|isbn=978-0-7181-9203-7}} Instead, the club played in the short-lived Southern Alliance for the 1892–93 season.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=25}}

Spurs initially played in navy-blue shirts with a letter H on a scarlet shield on the left breast and white breeches.{{sfn|Shakeshaft|Burney|Evans|2018|pages=20–21}} The club colours were changed in 1884 or 1885 to light blue and white halved jerseys and white shorts, inspired by watching Blackburn Rovers win the FA Cup at the Kennington Oval in 1884, before returning to the original dark blue shirts for the 1889–90 season.{{sfn|Shakeshaft|Burney|Evans|2018|pages=22–23}} From 1890 to 1895, the club had red shirts and blue shorts, changed in 1895 to chocolate brown and gold narrow striped shirts and dark-blue shorts.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Tottenham_Hotspur/Tottenham_Hotspur.htm|title=Tottenham Hotspur|work=Historical Football Kits|first=Dave|last=Moor|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330075333/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Tottenham_Hotspur/Tottenham_Hotspur.htm|url-status=live}} Finally, in the 1898–99 season, the strip was changed to the now familiar white shirts and navy-blue shorts.{{sfn|Shakeshaft|Burney|Evans|2018|page=26}}

The club became unwittingly involved in a controversy known as the Payne Boots Affair in October 1893. A reserve player from Fulham, Ernie Payne, agreed to play for Spurs but arrived without any kit as it had apparently been stolen at Fulham. As no suitable boots could be found, the club gave him 10 shillings to buy his boots. Fulham then complained to the London Football Association that Tottenham had poached their player, and accused them of professionalism breaching amateur rules. On the latter charge, the London Football Association found Tottenham guilty, as the payment for the boots was judged an "unfair inducement" to attract the player to the club.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}} Spurs were suspended for a fortnight, had to forfeit their second-round match against Clapham Rovers in the FA Amateur Cup and were therefore eliminated from the competition.{{sfn|Tongue|2016 |loc=Chapter 1: Early days (1863–1899)}} Despite the punishment, the controversy had an unexpected positive effect on the club. Press coverage of the incident raised the national profile of what was then a local amateur club, and gained them sympathy for what many thought was unfair treatment. Invitations from other clubs to play games increased, and attendance at their matches rose.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp= 12–13}} The publicity also brought on board local businessman John Oliver, who became chairman in 1894 after Ripsher retired, and provided funding for the club.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qe7NCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT71|title=Shankly's Village: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Glenbuck and its Famous Sons|publisher=Pitch Publishing|first1=Adam|last1=Powley|first2=Robert|last2=Gillan|date=2015|isbn=978-1-78531-125-3}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

With an increasing number of teams to play against, the quality of Spurs' opposition also improved. To compete against better teams, the club committee, led by the second club president John Oliver, agreed that the club should turn professional. Robert Buckle made the proposal at a meeting on 16 December 1895, which was accepted after a vote, and the club gained its professional status on 20 December 1895. Spurs made a failed attempt to join the Football League, but they were admitted to Division One of the Southern League in mid-1896.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=28}} They also participated in other leagues, initially the United League and later Western League, in which they did not always field the full first team.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp= 14–15}} The team was almost entirely rebuilt over the next two years; the first two professional players, Jock Montgomery and J. Logan, were quickly recruited from Scotland (a number of Scottish footballers would have significant influences in the club's history), and in 1897 they signed their first international, Jack Jones.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp= 14–15}}

On 2 March 1898, Spurs decided to become a limited company—the Tottenham Hotspur Football and Athletic Company—to raise funds and to limit the personal liability of its members. Eight thousand shares were issued at £1 each, but only 1,558 were taken up by the public in the first year.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ae3CVjGoRiYC&pg=PA82 |title=The People's Game?: Football, Finance and Society |first= S. |last=Morrow |page=82 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-28839-3|date=2003}} A board of directors was formed with Oliver as chairman, but he retired after the company reported a loss of £501 at the end of the season in 1899.{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}} Charles Roberts took over as chairman and remained in the post until 1943.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/manager-list-081104/ |title=Manager List |date=8 November 2004 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826155254/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/manager-list-081104/ |url-status=live }}

Soon after the club became a limited company, on 14 March 1898, Frank Brettell was appointed the first manager of Spurs.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p= 58}} He signed several players from northern clubs, including Harry Erentz, Tom Smith and, in particular, John Cameron, who signed from Everton in May 1898 and was to have a considerable impact on the club. Cameron became player-manager the following February after Bretell left to take a better-paid position at Portsmouth, and led the club to its first trophies: the Southern League title in 1899–1900 and the 1901 FA Cup. In his first year as manager, Cameron signed seven players: George Clawley, Ted Hughes, David Copeland, Tom Morris, Jack Kirwan, Sandy Tait and Tom Pratt. The following year Sandy Brown replaced Pratt, who wanted to return to the North despite being the top goalscorer. They, together with Cameron, Erentz, Smith and Jones, formed the 1901 Cup-winning team.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp= 15–19}}

File:First match at White Hart Lane - Spurs vs Notts County 1899 - first half.jpg, Spurs vs Notts County for the official opening on 4 September 1899]]

On Good Friday 1898 a match was held against Woolwich Arsenal at Northumberland Park, attended by a record crowd of 14,000. In the overcrowded ground, fans climbed up onto the roof of the refreshment stand to get a better view. The stand then collapsed under their weight causing a few injuries, which prompted the club to start looking for a new ground. In 1899 the club moved a short distance to a piece of land behind the White Hart pub.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-white-hart-lane-farewell-goodbye-diego-maradon-johan-cruyff-a7733846.html|title=White Hart Lane has seen Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, but after 118 years Tottenham have outgrown it|first=Martin|last=Cloake|date=13 May 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=21 June 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-white-hart-lane-farewell-goodbye-diego-maradon-johan-cruyff-a7733846.html|url-status=live}} The White Hart Lane site, actually located behind Tottenham High Road, was a nursery owned by the brewery chain Charringtons. The club initially leased the ground from Charringtons, but development of the ground was restricted by the terms of the lease. In 1905, after issuing shares towards the cost of purchase, Spurs bought the freehold for £8,900 and paid a further £2,600 for a piece of land at the northern end. By then the ground had a covered stand on the west side and earth mounds on the other three sides.{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=748756 |title=White Hart Lane |work=Haringey Council |date=2015 |access-date=17 August 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The ground was never officially named, but it became popularly known as White Hart Lane, also the name of a local thoroughfare.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=15}} The first game at White Hart Lane was a friendly against Notts County on 4 September 1899 that Spurs won 4–1,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/12/glory-nights-gazzas-gun-spurs-prepare-bid-fond-farewell-white/ |title=Glory nights and Gazza's gun – Spurs prepare to bid a fond farewell to White Hart Lane |first=Jonathan |last=Liew |date=12 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=27 June 2017}} and the first competitive game on the ground was held five days later against Queens Park Rangers, a game won by Spurs 1–0.{{cite news |url= http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15122/10871056/history-of-white-hart-lane-ahead-of-final-tottenham-game-against-manchester-united |title=History of White Hart Lane ahead of final Tottenham game against Manchester United |first= Adam|last= Smith|date=13 May 2017|work=Sky Sports |access-date=27 June 2017}} With an effective attacking triangle of Jones, Kirwan and Copeland, Tottenham won 11 games in their first 13 games in the 1908–09 season. On 28 April 1900, they finished top of the Southern League, and won the club their first trophy.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=36}} After the win, the club was dubbed "Flower of the South" by the press.{{sfn|The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|1921|page=28}}

Tottenham first took part in the FA Cup in the 1894–95 season, but never got beyond the third round proper in six years.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=37}} In the 1901 FA Cup, Spurs managed to reach the final after beating Preston North End, Bury, Reading and West Bromwich Albion; all apart from Reading were Football League Division One teams of the 1900–01 season. The final against Division One Sheffield United was played at Crystal Palace and attended by 110,820 spectators, at that time the largest crowd ever for a football match.{{sfn|Tongue|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Taking Shape (1901–1920) }} The game ended in a 2–2 draw, with both of Spurs' goals coming from Sandy Brown, and a disputed goal from Sheffield. The final was the first to be filmed, and it contained the first referee decision demonstrated by film footage to be incorrect, as it showed that the ball did not cross the line for the Sheffield goal.{{sfn|Tongue |2016|loc=Chapter 2: Taking Shape (1901–1920) }}{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Introduction}}

File:Tottenham hotspur 1901.jpg against Sheffield United]]

In the replay at Burnden Park, Bolton on 27 April 1901, Spurs won 3–1 with goals from Cameron, Smith and another by Brown. By winning the FA Cup, Spurs became the only non-League club to have achieved the feat since the formation of the Football League in 1888.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=40}} The club also inadvertently introduced the tradition of tying ribbons in the colours of the winning team on the FA Cup when the wife of a Spurs director tied blue and white ribbons to the handles of the cup.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nowyouknowsoccer0000lenn |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/nowyouknowsoccer0000lenn/page/89 89] |title=Now You Know Soccer|first= Doug |last=Lennox |publisher= Dundurn |date=2009 |isbn= 978-1-77070-613-2}} The win started a trend for Spurs' success in years ending in a one, with further FA Cup wins in 1921, 1961, 1981 and 1991, the League Cup in 1971, the league in 1951, and in 1961, which is the double winning year.

Following the 1901 Cup win, Spurs failed to repeat the success in the next few seasons but they were runners-up in the Southern League twice, and won the London League in the 1902–03 season as well as the Western League in the 1903–04 season.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=26}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/club-honours/ |title=Club Honours |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=19 November 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120055215/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/club-honours/ |url-status=live }} They went on their first overseas tour, to Austria and Hungary, in May 1905.{{sfn|Powley|Cloake|2012|p=88}} Cameron left on 13 March 1907, citing "differences with the directorate",{{sfn|Cloake|Fisher|2016|loc=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/uploadedFiles/Shared_Assets/Documents/News_pdfs/th30_71-73_john%20cameronv3.pdf |title=In Step with Cameron's Army |first= John |last=Fennelly |work= Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811223637/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/uploadedFiles/Shared_Assets/Documents/News_pdfs/th30_71-73_john%20cameronv3.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2017 }} and he was replaced in April 1907 by Fred Kirkham, a referee with no managerial experience. Kirkham was disliked by players and fans alike, and he left on 20 July 1908 after a year as manager.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=20–22, 59}}

Tottenham resigned from the Southern League in 1908 and sought to join the Football League. Their initial application was unsuccessful, but after the resignation of Stoke from the league for financial reasons, Tottenham won election to the Second Division of the Football League for the 1908–09 season to replace them.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=28–29}} As Spurs had no manager following Kirkham's departure, the directors took on the role of choosing the team, while the club secretary Arthur Turner was tasked with overseeing the team's affairs.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=47}} Spurs played their first league game in September 1908 against Wolverhampton Wanderers and won 3–0, with their first ever goal in the Football League scored by Vivian Woodward.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/vivian-woodward-feature-080915/ |title='Sir' Vivian – A Spurs Great |date=8 September 2015 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625085316/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/vivian-woodward-feature-080915/ |url-status=live }} Woodward was also instrumental in the club's immediate promotion to the First Division after finishing runners-up in their first year. Before the start of the following season, Woodward left football to pursue other interests, although he soon returned to the game and joined Chelsea. Spurs struggled in their first year in the First Division, but avoided relegation by beating Chelsea in the last game of the season with goals from Billy Minter and a former Chelsea player Percy Humphreys, sending their opponents down instead.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=50}}

File:Spurs1910programme.jpg

The club started an ambitious plan to redevelop White Hart Lane in 1909, beginning with the construction of the West Stand designed by Archibald Leitch. The North and South stands were then built in the early 1920s, with the East Stand completed in 1934, bringing the capacity of the finished stadium to almost 80,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |title= History of White Hart Lane |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202050413/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |archive-date=2 December 2016 }} A bronze cockerel was placed on top of the West Stand in 1909. The cockerel was adopted as an emblem because Harry Hotspur, after whom the club was named, was believed to have gained the nickname wearing fighting spurs in battles, and spurs were also worn by fighting cock.{{cite book |title=The Stadium Tour Experience |page=32 |publisher=Vision Sports Publishing Ltd.}} Tottenham had initially used spurs as a symbol in 1900, as Harry Hotspur was said to have charged into battles by digging in his spurs to make the horse go faster, a symbol that evolved into a fighting cock.{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=748708 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607025316/http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=748708 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 June 2019 |title=Northumberland Development Project |date=September 2015 |work=Haringey Council |access-date=17 August 2017 }}

In April 1912 Jimmy Cantrell, Bert Bliss and Arthur Grimsdell arrived at the club.{{sfn|Welch|2019|pp=60–61}} Late that year Peter McWilliam was appointed manager. He became a significant and popular figure at the club, managing the team in two separate periods, both interrupted by world wars.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=60–61}} The first significant signing by McWilliam was winger Fanny Walden, who was signed for a record £1,700 in April 1913,{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=61}} later signings included goalkeeper Bill Jaques and right-back Tommy Clay.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=36}} McWilliam's record in the early years was poor, and Tottenham were bottom of the league at the end of the 1914–15 season when league football was suspended owing to the First World War that had started a year earlier. During the war years, White Hart Lane was taken over by the government and turned into a factory for making gas masks, gunnery and protection equipment.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/13/goodbye-white-hart-lane-iconic-stadium |title=Goodbye White Hart Lane: an iconic stadium remembered by those who knew it best |first=David |last=Hytner |date=13 May 2017 |work=The Observer |access-date=30 August 2017}} The London clubs organised their own matches, and Tottenham played their home games at Arsenal's Highbury and Clapton Orient's Homerton grounds.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=34}}

When football resumed in 1919, the First Division was expanded from 20 to 22 teams. The Football League offered one of the additional places to 19th-placed Chelsea, who would otherwise have been relegated with Spurs for the 1915–16 season, and the other, controversially, to Arsenal, who had finished only sixth in Division Two the previous season.{{cite book | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IcsXyTmY7MoC&q=bribery | title=Rebels for the Cause: The Alternative History of Arsenal Football Club |first=Spurling|last= Jon | publisher=Mainstream | year=2004 | isbn=978-1-84018-900-1 |chapter=Chapter Two: Sleaze and the Tory MP }}{{cite book |first1= Phil |last1=Soar|first2= Martin |last2=Tyler | title=The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal | publisher=Hamlyn | year=2005 | isbn=978-0-600-61344-2 | page=40 }} This decision cemented a bitter rivalry that continues to this day, a rivalry that had begun six years earlier when Arsenal relocated from Plumstead to Highbury, a move opposed by Tottenham, who considered Highbury their territory, as well as by Clapton Orient and Chelsea.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=24}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=30}} Matches between the two clubs, called the North London derby, became the most fiercely-contested derby in London.{{cite news |url=https://talksport.com/football/162901/london-derbies-ranked-ferocity-rivalry-including-tottenham-v-arsenal-and-west-ham-v-chelsea/ |title=London derbies ranked on ferocity of rivalry, including Tottenham v Arsenal and West Ham v Chelsea |first=Damian |last=Mannion |date=25 November 2016 |work=talkSport |access-date=28 May 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528085534/https://talksport.com/football/162901/london-derbies-ranked-ferocity-rivalry-including-tottenham-v-arsenal-and-west-ham-v-chelsea/ |url-status=live }}

File:ArthurGrimsdell.jpg captain Arthur Grimsdell displays the cup to fans on Tottenham High Road after Spurs' victory in the 1921 final, the first win by a London-based team in 20 years.]]

In the first season after the war McWilliam took Tottenham straight back to Division One when they became Division Two Champions of the 1919–20 season. They won with what was then a league record of 70 points, losing only 4 games all season with 102 goals scored.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=27}} Two players signed that season, Jimmy Dimmock and Jimmy Seed, became crucial members of the team together with Grimsdell.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=62}} Other notable players of the period include Tommy Clay, Bert Smith and Charlie Walters. The following year Spurs reached their second FA Cup final after beating Preston North End in the semi-final with two goals from Bliss. On 23 April 1921, in a game dominated by Walters, Spurs beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 in the final at Stamford Bridge, with 20-year-old Dimmock scoring the winning goal.{{sfn|Tongue|2016|loc=Chapter 3: Capital Gain (1921–1939)}}{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=29}} They also won their first Charity Shield the same year. Following their FA Cup victory in 1921, Spurs players started to wear the cockerel emblem on their shirts.

At McWilliam's instigation a nursery club was established at Northfleet in about 1922, an arrangement that was formalised in 1931 and lasted until the Second World War.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006144450/http://www.soccer-history.co.uk/arsenaltottenhamnursery.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2011 |url=http://www.soccer-history.co.uk/arsenaltottenhamnursery.pdf|work=Soccer History: Issue 6 |title=Soccer's Kindergarten: Kent's Nursery Clubs of the 1930s |access-date=1 July 2017}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=75}} Thirty-seven Spurs players, nine of whom became internationals, started their playing career at Northfleet. They include Bill Nicholson, Ron Burgess, Taffy O'Callaghan, Vic Buckingham and Ted Ditchburn.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=75}}

In the 1921–22 season, Spurs finished second to Liverpool in the league, their first serious challenge for the title. After the success of the two post-war seasons, Spurs only managed to finish mid-table in the next five. The team had begun to deteriorate, and new signings Jack Elkes and Frank Osborne could not overcome weaknesses in other positions.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=45–46}} They were in first place for a while in 1925, until Grimsdell broke his leg and they dropped down the table.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=29}} McWilliam left for Middlesbrough in February 1927 when Middlesbrough offered him significantly better pay while the Tottenham board refused his request for a smaller increase.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=47}} Billy Minter, who first joined the club as a player in 1907 and became the first player to score 100 goals for the club in 1919,{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/robbies-100-the-facts/ |title=Robbie's 100 – The Facts |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=20 January 2008 |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122052125/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/robbies-100-the-facts/ |url-status=live }} took over as manager. In the 1927–28 season, his first full season in charge, Spurs were unexpectedly relegated despite finishing with 38 points, only 6 points behind 4th-placed Derby County. One factor in their relegation may have been the sale of Jimmy Seed to Sheffield Wednesday—Wednesday had looked certain to be relegated, but Seed helped them escape, beating Tottenham twice along the way, and they went on to win the League Championship title in each of the next two seasons.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=31–32}}

Minter struggled to return Spurs to the top flight despite signing Ted Harper in February 1929. Harper was a prolific goalscorer in the few years he was at the club; his 36 league goals scored in a season in 1930–31 remained a record until 1963, when it was broken by Jimmy Greaves.{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/harry-joins-illustrious-list-of-30-goal-strikers/ |title= Harry joins illustrious list of 30-goal strikers|date=21 April 2015|work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=20 November 2018 }}{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=70}} The stress of being manager affected Minter's health; he resigned, and was given another position at the club in November 1929.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=52}} Percy Smith was appointed manager at the start of 1930, and he strengthened the team with imported and home-grown talents including George Hunt, Willie Hall and Arthur Rowe. The team, aided by the goal-scoring exploits of Hunt, were nicknamed the "Greyhounds" in the 1932–33 season as they raced up the Second Division from near the bottom of the table, and won promotion after finishing second to Stoke City.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=55–56}} Spurs only managed to stay in Division One for two seasons; injuries (especially to Rowe and Hall) left the team weakened and at the bottom of the table in the 1934–35 season by April 1935. Smith then resigned, claiming that the club's directors had interfered with his team selection.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=61–62}}

Jack Tresadern took over from caretaker manager Wally Hardinge in July 1935, but failed to lift the club out of the Second Division in the three years of his tenure. He promoted centre-forward Johnny Morrison in place of fans' favourite George Hunt, and decided to sell Hunt to rival Arsenal in 1937, a decision that made him unpopular. He left in April 1938 for Plymouth Argyle when it became apparent that he would likely be sacked at the end of the season.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=59–62}} Peter McWilliam was brought back as manager, and he tried to rebuild the team by promoting young players from Northfleet including Nicholson, Burgess and Ditchburn, but his second stint at the club was again interrupted by world war.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=60–61}} Spurs also failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in the 1930s, getting that far three years running from 1935 to 1938. Despite Tottenham's lack of success in this period, 75,038 spectators still squeezed into White Hart Lane in March 1938 for a cup tie against Sunderland—the club's largest gate until it was surpassed in 2016 when more than 85,000 attended the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League home match against Monaco held at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/tottenham-vs-monaco-wembley-sells-out-as-more-than-85000-fans-buy-tickets-for-champions-league-clash-a7307286.html |title=Tottenham vs Monaco: Wembley sells out as more than 85,000 fans buy tickets for Champions League clash |first=Samuel |last=Lovett |date= 14 September 2016 |work=The Independent|access-date=2 July 2017}}

On 3 September 1939 Neville Chamberlain declared war, and league football was abandoned with only three games played. Nevertheless, matches continued to be arranged and played during the Second World War. The London clubs first played in the Wartime League and Football League War Cup, and Spurs won the Regional League South 'C' in 1940. After a reorganisation in 1941, they also competed in the Football League South. Owing to the difficult wartime conditions, Spurs along with other London clubs refused to travel long distances for the matches drawn up by the Football League and decided to run their own competitions: London War League and London War Cup. They (eleven London clubs and five other clubs from the south) were temporarily expelled from the Football League; after paying a £10 fine they were readmitted, but they played in the Football League South in the way the London clubs had suggested.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=66–67}} McWilliam went back to the North during the war and the team was managed by Arthur Turner; under him Spurs won the regional league twice.{{sfn|Welch|2019|p=81}}{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=36–37}} Charles Robert who had been chairman since 1898 died in 1943, and he was replaced by Fred Bearman.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=38}} As it was difficult to field a full squad in the war years, many young players, among them Sonny Walters, Les Medley, Les Bennett and Arthur Willis, gained their first playing experience for the club in this period.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=66–67}} Spurs also shared White Hart Lane with Arsenal when Highbury was requisitioned by the government and used as an Air Raid Precautions centre.{{cite news |url=http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/8803645.When_Spurs_and_Arsenal_shared_the_same_pitch/ |title=When Spurs and Arsenal shared the same pitch |date=20 January 2011 |work=Enfield Independent |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810051441/http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/8803645.When_Spurs_and_Arsenal_shared_the_same_pitch/ |url-status=live }}

After the war ended, McWilliam decided that he was too old to return to the club, and a former Arsenal player Joe Hulme was given the job of managing Tottenham. Hulme failed to win promotion for the club, although Spurs managed to stay in the top half of the Second Division for the three seasons he was manager,{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=38}} and they reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1948.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=68}} Players who joined the squad under Hulme include Eddie Baily, Len Duquemin, Harry Clarke and Charlie Withers. Football was popular in the post-war era, and although in the three post-war seasons during which Spurs languished in the Second Division, some games still drew large crowds, particularly for cup ties.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|pp=260–264}} Hulme was sacked after he refused a suggestion to resign following an illness in March 1949.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=68}}

In May 1949 Rowe became Spurs manager at a salary of £1,500 a year. He inherited the squad assembled by Hulme except for the one crucial signing he made when he took over, Alf Ramsey.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=72}} Rowe introduced a new style of play, Push and run, which proved to be highly successful, and transformed the players into a team that were hard to beat in the 1949–50 season. Rowe started his tenure as manager with a 4–1 victory at Brentford, the beginning of an unbeaten run of 23 League and Cup games between 27 August 1949 and 14 January 1950. With a free-scoring attack force, the team won the Second Division convincingly with six games yet to play. They ended the season nine points in front, elevating them back into the top flight.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-arthur-rowe-1503440.html |title=Obituary: Arthur Rowe |first=Reg |last=Drury |date=11 November 1993 |work=The Independent |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120859/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-arthur-rowe-1503440.html |url-status=live }}

After a shaky start to their 1950–51 season when they were trounced 4–1 at home by the Blackpool side of Stanley Matthews, Tottenham won eight consecutive games in October and November that included a 7–0 defeat of Jackie Milburn's Newcastle.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}} Some considered the team of this season the best in Tottenham's history;{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=73}} guarding the goal was Ditchburn, one of Spurs' best ever goalkeepers, who was aided in defence by Ramsey, Clarke, and Willis; also influential were the captain Burgess and Nicholson, with the five forwards of Baily, Medley, Duquemin, Bennett and Walters completing the regular starting eleven.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}}{{sfn|Donovan|2017|pp=91–93}} They finished the season ahead of Manchester United by three points, having won their First Division Championship title in the penultimate game of the season by beating Sheffield Wednesday with a solitary goal from Duquemin. That was Tottenham's first ever League title.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=39}}

The push and run tactics developed by Rowe were successful in his early years as manager.{{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=Matthew |title=The Association Game: A History of British Football |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-87008-1 |page=222 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ6MAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA222 }} Rowe credited McWilliam for learning to play a quick passing game,{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 7: Success is the Best Revenge}} which he developed into a style involving players playing in triangles, quickly laying the ball off to a teammate and running past the marking tackler to collect the return pass. Keeping to Rowe's maxim of "make it simple, make it quick", this method proved an effective way of moving the ball at pace with players' positions and responsibilities being totally fluid. It became an attractive fast-moving attacking style of play regarded by Tottenham fans to be the Spurs Way, which was adjusted and perfected in the later period under Bill Nicholson.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=72–73}}

{{quote box

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| quote= The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.

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|author= Danny Blanchflower

|source= 1972{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWycAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA195 |title=Oxford Dictionary of Quotations by Subjects |editor= Susan Ratcliffe|publisher= Oxford University Press |edition= 2nd |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-956706-5 |page= 195}}

}}

Spurs finished second in the 1951–52 season, beaten to the title by a young Manchester United team. A bad winter and the poor state of the White Hart Lane pitch were contributory, as the "push and run" style of play required a good firm playing surface. The following years witnessed a period of decline, as great players aged but younger players such as Tony Marchi and Tommy Harmer were not yet experienced enough, and with injuries and other teams adapting to Spurs' revolutionary style of play, it meant a struggle for the once-dominant team.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=78–82}} Spurs could only finish tenth in the 1952–53 season. The "push and run" team also started to disperse; Medley, Willis, Bennett and Burgess left to join other teams while Nicholson moved into coaching.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 10: It's All About Triangles}} In 1954 Rowe signed future captain Danny Blanchflower for a club record fee of £30,000. Blanchflower won the FWA Footballer of the Year twice while at Tottenham.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/special-feature-on-danny-blanchflower-90th-birthday-100216/ |title=Danny Blanchflower – Captain, Leader, All-Time Great |date=10 February 2016 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629235846/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/special-feature-on-danny-blanchflower-90th-birthday-100216/ |url-status=live }}

The stress of managing the team had affected Rowe's health, and he suffered a breakdown in 1954; he resigned after falling ill again the following year. Rowe's assistant and long-time club servant Jimmy Anderson stepped into the breach as manager, but the season ended with Spurs in the lower half of the table.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbb02bg6zYC&pg=PA52 |title=Encyclopedia of British Football |editor= Wray Vamplew |page=52 |publisher=Routledge|date=2002|isbn= 978-0714652498 }} With Blanchflower in the team, Ramsey was dropped from the line-up, and he soon left to start his managerial career with Ipswich Town, later guiding England to a World Cup win.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 11: One of the Good Guys }} Spurs were almost relegated at the end of the 1955–56 season, finishing just two points above the drop zone. In the 1956–57 season, under the guidance of Bill Nicholson as coach, the creative pairing of Blanchflower and Harmer, and the scoring prowess of Bobby Smith, the club experienced a revival and finished in second place, albeit eight points behind the winners, the "Busby Babes" of Manchester United. Tottenham also fared well in the following season, finishing third.{{sfn|Lipton|2017|loc=Chapter 3: The Greatest }}{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=41}} As manager, Anderson started to build a new team by signing, bringing in or promoting some of the players who became members of the team that saw major success later: Cliff Jones, Terry Medwin, Peter Baker, Ron Henry, Terry Dyson, Maurice Norman and Smith.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4Jxmg0ERtgC&pg=PA60 |title=The Ghost: In Search of My Father the Football Legend|last1=White|first1=Rob|last2=Welch|first2=Julie|page=60 |publisher=Yellow Jersey |date=2012|isbn= 978-0224083003 }}

File:Spurs team arriving in Rotterdam, 1961.jpg, John White, Bobby Smith, Dave Mackay, and Danny Blanchflower. Jimmy Greaves was signed a month or so after this picture was taken.]]

In October 1958, with the pressure of a poor start to the season and failing health, Anderson resigned, to be replaced by Bill Nicholson.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=64}} Nicholson had joined Tottenham as an apprentice in 1936, and the following sixty-eight years saw him serve the club in every capacity from boot room to president. He became the most successful Spurs manager, guiding Tottenham to major trophy success three consecutive seasons in the early 1960s: the double in 1961, the FA Cup and European Cup semi-final in 1962 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/bill-years-part-three-251014/ |title=The Bill Nicholson years – glory, glory – 1960–1974 |date=25 October 2014 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819075121/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/the-bill-nicholson-years-glory-glory-1960-1974/ |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Davies|1972|loc=Chapter 5: Bill Nicholson}}

In Nicholson's first game as manager, on 11 October 1958, Spurs beat Everton 10–4, their then record win,{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=88}} but the team finished 18th in the league in his first season in charge. In the following 1959–60 season, Spurs improved to third place in the league, two points behind the champions Burnley. They also beat Crewe Alexandra 13–2 in the 1959–60 FA Cup with five goals coming from Les Allen. It remains the highest scoring FA Cup tie of the 20th century and is still the club's record win.{{sfn|Powley|Cloake|2012|p=99}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 12: Going Up, Up, Up}} In his first two years in charge, Nicholson made several signings—Dave Mackay and John White, the two influential players of the Double-winning team, as well as Allen and goalkeeper Bill Brown.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 12: Going Up, Up, Up}}

File:Tottenham Hotspur FC 1960.jpg and both goalkeepers, Bill Brown and John Hollowbread, among others in the team with Bill Nicholson as manager]]

The 1960–61 season started with a 2–0 home win against Everton, the beginning of a run of eleven wins.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=90}} The winning run was interrupted by a 1–1 draw against Manchester City, followed by another four wins before the unbeaten streak was broken by a loss to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in November.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=91}} It remained the best ever start by any club in the top flight of English football until it was surpassed by Manchester City in 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11168764/manchester-city-will-smash-tottenham-record-with-a-win-at-swansea |title=Manchester City smash all-time Football League record with win at Swansea |date=14 December 2017 |first=Adam |last=Smith |work=Sky Sports |access-date=14 December 2017 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035626/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11168764/manchester-city-will-smash-tottenham-record-with-a-win-at-swansea |url-status=live }} The title was won on 17 April 1961 when Spurs beat the eventual runners-up Sheffield Wednesday at home 2–1, with three games still to play.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/05/06/tottenhams-double-60-years-conquering-soccers-everest/ |title=Tottenham's Double 60 years on: conquering 'soccer's Everest' |first=Rob |last=Bagchi |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=6 May 2021 |work=The Telegraph |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506123244/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/05/06/tottenhams-double-60-years-conquering-soccers-everest/ |url-status=live }}

In this Double-winning season only seventeen players were used in all forty-nine league and cup games, three of them playing only once.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=41}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 13: What's the Story, Eternal Glory?}} The team was built around the quartet of Blanchflower, Mackay, Jones, and White; completing the side were Smith (top scorer of the season), Allen, Henry, Norman, Baker, Dyson and Brown, with Medwin, Marchi, and a young Frank Saul among the reserves.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 13: What's the Story, Eternal Glory?}}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=102–103}} Spurs reached the final of the 1960–61 FA Cup, beating along the way Sunderland 5–0 in the sixth-round replay and Burnley 3–0 in the semi-final. Spurs met Leicester City in the 1961 FA Cup final and won 2–0, with Smith scoring the first and setting up the second for Dyson, helped in part by Leicester being effectively reduced to ten men owing to injury (no substitutions were allowed at that time). Spurs became the first team in England to win the Double in the 20th century, and the first since Aston Villa achieved the feat in 1897.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 13: What's the Story, Eternal Glory?}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321969.stm|title=1961 – Spurs' double year|date=10 May 2001|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812064914/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321969.stm|url-status=live}}

File:Spurs team with the Cup Winners' Cup trophy 1963.jpg

Tottenham competed for the first time in a European competition in the 1961–62 European Cup. Their first opponents were Górnik Zabrze, who beat Spurs 4–2. After the match the Polish press described Spurs players as "no angels"; in response, in the return leg at White Hart Lane, some Spurs fans dressed up as angels holding placards with slogans such as "Glory be to shining White Hart Lane", and other fans joined in by singing the refrains of "Glory Glory Hallelujah". Spurs won 8–1 to the sound of fans singing "Glory glory hallelujah, and the Spurs go marching on", which became an anthem for Tottenham from that night onwards.{{cite web |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2012/12/glory-glory-nights-official-story-tottenham-hotspur-europe |title=The Glory Glory Nights: The Official Story of Tottenham Hotspur in Europe |first=Martin |last=Cloake |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=11 July 2017 |work=New Statesman |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303054543/http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2012/12/glory-glory-nights-official-story-tottenham-hotspur-europe |url-status=live }} Spurs eventually lost in the semi-final to the holders Benfica, who went on to win the competition.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/1962-european-cup-the-sliding-doors-match-when-tottenham-fell-just-short-of-glory-9188254.html |title=1962 European Cup: The 'sliding doors' match when Tottenham fell just short of glory |first=Glenn |last=Moore |date=13 March 2014 |work=The Independent |access-date=3 July 2017 |archive-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728075354/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/1962-european-cup-the-sliding-doors-match-when-tottenham-fell-just-short-of-glory-9188254.html |url-status=live }}

A month later Spurs won the FA Cup again after beating Burnley in the 1962 FA Cup final.{{cite web |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-cup-final-1962 |title=The Cup Final 1962 |work=British Pathé |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107070314/https://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-cup-final-1962 |url-status=live }} The first goal of the game was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who was signed in December 1961 for £99,999 (so as not to be the first £100,000 player).{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 14: Conquering Europe, First}} Greaves became the top goal scorer for Tottenham with 220 league goals and 321 goals in all appearances for the club, and the most prolific scorer ever in the top tier of English football.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/28/cristiano-ronaldo-can-match-magical-mark-set-jimmy-greaves/ |title=Special report: Jimmy Greaves pays tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo as Portuguese closes in on his magical mark |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=28 February 2017 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731164346/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/28/cristiano-ronaldo-can-match-magical-mark-set-jimmy-greaves/ |url-status=live }}

In the 1962–63 European Cup Winners' Cup, Spurs reached the final, beating Rangers 8–4 on aggregate, Slovan Bratislava 6–2, and OFK Belgrade 5–2 on aggregate. Spurs' 5–1 win in the Cup Winners' Cup final against Atlético Madrid in Rotterdam on 15 May 1963, during which Terry Dyson scored a goal from 25 yards out, made Tottenham the first British team to win a European trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/it-was-50-years-ago-today-our-historic-win-in-europe-150513/|title=It was 50 years ago today – our historic win in Europe...|date=15 May 2013|work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812100631/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/it-was-50-years-ago-today-our-historic-win-in-europe-150513/|url-status=live}}

By 1964 the Double-winning side was beginning to break up owing to age, injuries and transfers. Captain Danny Blanchflower hung up his boots that spring at the age of 38, troubled by a knee injury, and Dave Mackay was sidelined for a long period with his leg broken twice—the first occurred during Spurs' defence of the Cup Winners' Cup against Manchester United, resulting in the 10-men Spurs being eliminated from the competition.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=114}} In the summer of 1964, John White was tragically killed by lightning on a golf course.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=123}} Nicholson rebuilt the team with new players, most of them imports, including Alan Mullery, Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Mike England, Terry Venables, Jimmy Robertson, Phil Beal, Joe Kinnear, and Alan Gilzean who formed a goal-scoring partnership with Greaves.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|pp=114–115}} The rebuilding culminated in a win at the 1967 FA Cup final over Chelsea with goals from wingers Robertson and Saul, and a third-place finish in the league.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club/history/joe-kinnear-mike-england-jimmy-robertson-1967-spurs-fa-cup-chelsea-190417/ |title=Kinnear, Robertson, England and Mullery: 1967 FA Cup Heroes on Playing Chelsea at Wembley |date=19 April 2017 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=9 July 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161721/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club/history/joe-kinnear-mike-england-jimmy-robertson-1967-spurs-fa-cup-chelsea-190417/ |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=47}}

The team failed to make much of an impact in the following two seasons, reaching only in 1969 the semi-final of the League Cup, a competition created in 1960 but one in which Tottenham did not participate until 1966.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=133}} Mackay, Jones and Robertson left the club in 1968, followed by Venables in 1969. In their place came the home-grown players Steve Perryman, Ray Evans and John Pratt,{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=133}} and new signing Martin Chivers. Martin Peters also arrived from West Ham United for a record fee of £200,000 in 1970 in part-exchange for a reluctant Greaves,{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=133}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11436913/Why-Tottenham-legend-Jimmy-Greaves-will-not-attend-the-Capital-One-Cup-final-against-Chelsea.html |title=Why Tottenham legend Jimmy Greaves will not attend the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea |first=Matt |last=Law |date=26 February 2015 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230025958/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11436913/Why-Tottenham-legend-Jimmy-Greaves-will-not-attend-the-Capital-One-Cup-final-against-Chelsea.html |url-status=live }} while Ralph Coates was signed in the summer of 1971 for £192,000 from Burnley.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 18: The Mullery Final}} Gilzean recreated the goal-scoring partnership with Chivers that he had with Greaves, this time aided by the blindside runs of Peters.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 17: Park Lane Roars}} The revitalised team reached the League Cup final in 1971, where they beat Aston Villa 2–0 to win their first League Cup with Chivers scoring both goals.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 17: Park Lane Roars}} They won the League Cup again in 1973 after beating Norwich City by a single goal from Coates in the final.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|p=51}}

The 1971 Cup win and a third-place finish in the 1970–71 season earned Spurs a place in the inaugural UEFA Cup. They reached the final after a battling performance to draw against A.C. Milan at the San Siro stadium in the second leg of the semi-final, giving them a 3–2 win on aggregate.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|page=48}} In the first leg of the UEFA Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chivers scored twice to give Spurs a 2–1 lead. In the return leg at White Hart Lane, team captain Mullery headed in a goal in his last game for the club for a 3–2 win on aggregate.{{sfn|Davies|1972|loc=Chapter 24: The European Final}}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0226-0e922bd0695b-1dc2dc37eb6e-1000--martin-chivers-on-tottenham-s-1972-uefa-cup-win/ |title=Martin Chivers on Tottenham's 1972 UEFA Cup win |date=21 October 2015 |work=UEFA |access-date=9 January 2019 |archive-date=10 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183340/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2280983.html |url-status=live }} With this victory, Spurs became the first British team to win two different European trophies.{{sfn|Goodwin|1988|page=48}} In total Nicholson had won eight major trophies in sixteen years; his spell in charge was the most successful period in the club's history.

Although Tottenham managed to reach four cup finals in four years and winning three of them from 1971 to 1974, the team began to decline as Nicholson was unable to sign the players he wanted, in part because of his refusal to meet the demands for under-the-counter payments.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=153}} The early seventies was also the beginning of a period of increasing football violence; rioting by Spurs fans in Rotterdam in their loss to Feyenoord in the 1974 UEFA Cup final added to his disillusionment. Nicholson resigned after a poor start to the 1974–75 season and a 4–0 loss to Middlesbrough in the League Cup, but his tenure ended on a sour note. He had sought to be succeeded by Blanchflower as manager and Johnny Giles as player-coach, but the chairman Sidney Wale was angered by Nicholson contacting the pair without informing him first. The club then severed all ties with a £10,000 payoff, even though Nicholson had wanted to stay on as an advisor, and refused him a testimonial (Nicholson was later brought back as advisor by Keith Burkinshaw and was only given a testimonial in 1983 under a different chairman).{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 19: Game Over}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/bill-years-part-four-261014/ |title=The Bill Nicholson years – scout, President, legend – 1974–2004 |date=26 October 2014 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=27 July 2017 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815180402/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/bill-years-part-four-261014/ |url-status=live }}

Terry Neill was appointed manager by the board, and Spurs narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the 1974–75 season. Spurs performed better the following season, in which Glenn Hoddle played his first game for the club. A former Arsenal player, Neill was never accepted by the fans, and he left to manage Arsenal in mid-1976, replaced by his assistant Keith Burkinshaw whom he had recruited the previous year.{{sfn|Harris|2009|loc=Chapter 5: Terry Neill ...Did he play for Arsenal, asked Chairman Sidney Wale}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 20: I'm a Spurs man}}

In Burkinshaw's first year as manager in the 1976–77 season, Tottenham slipped out of the First Division after 27 years in the top flight. Many of the early '70s Cup-winning team had by now left or retired. This was followed in the summer of 1977 by the sale of their Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Pat Jennings for a bargain £45,000 to Arsenal as Burkinshaw had started to use Barry Daines, a move that shocked the club's fans and one that Burkinshaw later admitted was a great error. Jennings played on for another seven seasons for Spurs' arch-rivals.{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/pats-white-hart-pain-28479080.html |title=Pat's White Hart pain |date=13 May 2009 |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230080934/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/pats-white-hart-pain-28479080.html |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Lipton|2017|loc=Chapter 6: Uneasy Lies The Head}}

Despite relegation, the board kept faith with Burkinshaw and the team immediately won promotion to the top flight, although it took until the final league game of the season for them to be promoted. A sudden loss of form at the end of the 1977–78 season meant the club needed a point in the last game at Southampton. To Tottenham's great relief, the game ended 0–0 and Spurs returned to the First Division. Early in the season, Spurs had won 9–0 at home to Bristol Rovers, with four of their goals coming from debutant striker Colin Lee. The glut of goals proved significant later on as Tottenham won promotion through goal difference.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 21: I'm Going to Make This A Team}}

File:Ajax vs Spurs 1981 European Cup Winners' Cup.jpg vs Spurs Cup Winners' Cup first round in 1981. Notable Spurs players in this match include Steve Perryman, Osvaldo Ardiles, Graham Roberts, Steve Archibald, Ricardo Villa, and Glenn Hoddle (not all shown here).]]

In the summer of 1978, Burkinshaw caused a stir by signing for £750,000 two Argentinian internationals Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa—players from beyond the British Isles in English football were rare at the time.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/ricky-villa-i-recognise-i-am-a-little-part-of-english-football-history-480704.html |title=Ricky Villa: 'I recognise I am a little part of English football history' |first=Brian |last=Viner |work=The Independent |date=1 June 2006 |access-date=9 July 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161705/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/ricky-villa-i-recognise-i-am-a-little-part-of-english-football-history-480704.html |url-status=live }} This was also a period of rebuilding as young players were brought in from the youth team, such as Mark Falco, Paul Miller, Chris Hughton and Micky Hazard, as well as other players signed from other clubs such as Graham Roberts, Tony Galvin, and in particular the twin strike force of Garth Crooks and Steve Archibald.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|pp=156–157}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 22: ...And Still Ricky Villa! }}

File:Ardiles villa fa cup.jpg and Ricardo Villa holding the FA Cup trophy won in 1981]]

Spurs opened the 1980s by reaching the 100th FA Cup final in 1981 against Manchester City, and won the replay 3–2 in a match notable for the winning goal from Ricardo Villa.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29476689 |title=Top 50 FA Cup goals: 'And still Ricky Villa |work=BBC Sport |date=7 November 2014 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020141624/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29476689 |url-status=live }} They lifted the FA Cup again the next season, beating Queens Park Rangers in the 1982 final. Although they were also in contention for three other trophies that season, they finished fourth in the First Division, lost to Liverpool in the League Cup final in extra time, while Barcelona won at home in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final after a 1–1 draw at White Hart Lane.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 23: Two Cups and a Walkout}}

The club began a new phase of redevelopment at White Hart Lane in 1980, starting with the rebuilding of the West Stand initiated by a new chairman Arthur Richardson.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=129}} The West Stand was demolished and a new stand, which took 15 months to complete, opened in 1982. Cost overruns on the project, which rose from £3.5 million to £6 million, as well as the cost of rebuilding the team in the return to Division One resulted in financial difficulties for the club. In this period, property developer and Spurs fan Irving Scholar began buying up shares in the club. He took advantage of a rift in the boardroom between Richardson and former chairman Sidney Wale, and persuaded Wale to sell his shares.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=129}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 24: Don Draper Takes Over Spurs }} Scholar bought up 25% of the club for £600,000, and with the help of Paul Bobroff who had bought 15% of shares from the family of previous chairman Bearman, took control in December 1982.{{sfn|Lipton|2017|loc=Chapter 15: Mr Chairman }} Scholar inherited a club in debt to the tune of nearly £5 million, what was then the largest debt in English football, but a rights issue after he took over brought in a million pounds. In 1983, a new holding company, Tottenham Hotspur plc, was formed with the football club run as a subsidiary of the company. With a valuation of £9 million, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange, the first sports club to do so.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 24: Don Draper Takes Over Spurs }} Together with Martin Edwards of Manchester United and David Dein of Arsenal, Scholar transformed English football clubs into business ventures that applied commercial principles to the running of the clubs to maximise their revenues, a process that eventually led to the formation of the Premier League.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ6MAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA342 |title=The Association Game: A History of British Football |first=Matthew |last=Taylor |page=342 |publisher=Routledge |date=2013 |isbn=978-1317870081 |access-date=9 July 2017 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716074812/https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ6MAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA342 |url-status=live }}

{{quote box

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| quote= There used to be a football club over there.

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|author= —commonly misattributed to Keith Burkinshaw

|source=1984

The quote is actually by journalist Ken Jones and refers to the Frank Sinatra's song "There Used to Be a Ballpark". It is generally taken to be a comment on the commercialisation of football.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ken-jones-lets-not-forget-football-is-meant-to-be-a-game-not-a-business-113455.html |title=Ken Jones: Let's not forget: football is meant to be a game, not a business |date=2 April 2003 |work=The Independent |first=Ken |last=Jones |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=5 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805181853/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ken-jones-lets-not-forget-football-is-meant-to-be-a-game-not-a-business-113455.html |url-status=live }}

}}

In 1984, Tottenham reached the final of the UEFA Cup. After 1–1 scores in both legs against Anderlecht, Tottenham emerged the victor when Tony Parks saved a penalty in the penalty shootout.{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2019/may/31/tottenham-won-european-trophy-35-years-ago-anderlecht |title= When Tottenham won their last European trophy – 35 years ago |first=Steven |last=Pye|date= 31 May 2019 |work=The Guardian|access-date=2 June 2019 }} This was the third of the major trophies won by the club under Burkinshaw in the 1980s. Several weeks before this victory, Burkinshaw announced that he would be leaving at the end of that season after disagreements with the directors and becoming disenchanted with the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/in-sport-history-certainly-gets-distorted-in-the-re-telling-often-what-we-have-come-to-regard-as-1595607.html|title=In sport, history certainly gets distorted in the re-telling. Often what we have come to regard as fact turns out to be pure fiction|first=Ken|last=Jones|date=9 August 1995|work=The Independent|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012150929/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/in-sport-history-certainly-gets-distorted-in-the-re-telling-often-what-we-have-come-to-regard-as-1595607.html|url-status=live}}{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yjcpwNpaHoMC&pg=PA48|title= Football Delirium|first= Chris|last= Oakley |publisher=Karnac Books|date=2007|isbn= 978-1855754782 |page=48 }}

Burkinshaw was succeeded as manager by his assistant Peter Shreeves in June 1984. According to Scholar, Aberdeen manager Alex Ferguson, who joined Manchester United two years later, had reneged on an agreement to take over.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11076007/sir-alex-ferguson-reneged-on-concrete-agreement-to-manage-tottenham-says-irving-scholar |title=Sir Alex Ferguson reneged on 'concrete' agreement to manage Tottenham, says Irving Scholar |date=11 October 2017 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=1 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021504/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11076007/sir-alex-ferguson-reneged-on-concrete-agreement-to-manage-tottenham-says-irving-scholar |url-status=live }} Tottenham enjoyed a strong start to the 1984–85 season and looked poised to win the league title by the winter, but a series of poor home results in 1985 resulted in the team being leapfrogged by eventual champions Everton and runners-up Liverpool.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 24: Don Draper Takes Over Spurs }} Their final position of third place in the league should have secured them a UEFA Cup place, but the Heysel disaster on 29 May 1985, which saw 39 spectators crushed to death when Liverpool fans rioted at the 1985 European Cup final, resulted in all English clubs being banned from European competitions.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=168}} In 1986, Perryman departed after 19 years at the club (17 years in the first team) and a record 655 league appearances.{{cite news |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/past-players/steve-perryman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020704/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/past-players/steve-perryman/ |archive-date=7 November 2017 |title=Steve Perryman: 1969–1986 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=27 July 2017}} The same year Spurs also sold its training ground at Cheshunt that the club had owned since 1952 for over £4 million. The 1985–86 season proved disappointing despite the signings of Chris Waddle and Paul Allen in the summer of 1985, and Shreeves was sacked at the end of the season.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=168}}

Luton Town manager David Pleat was appointed the new manager following Shreeves' dismissal. For much of 1986–87, Spurs played with what was for that time an unusual five-man midfield formation: Hoddle, Ardiles, Allen, Waddle and Steve Hodge.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 25: Where's All the Players Gone?}} The lone striker Clive Allen scored 49 goals in all competitions that season, still a club record.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/clive-allen-on-harry-kane-49-goals-160617/ |title='Beat my 49? If anyone can, Harry can' – Clive Allen |date=16 June 2017 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=24 March 2018 |archive-date=24 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324223834/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/clive-allen-on-harry-kane-49-goals-160617/ |url-status=live }} Tottenham remained in contention for all three major domestic honours throughout the season, but finished the season empty-handed. In the League Cup, Tottenham lost to eventual competition winners Arsenal in the semi-final.{{cite news|last=Pleat|first=David|date=24 January 2007|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1997333,00.html|title=The result was a stab in the heart for Spurs – then I gave George Graham a lift home|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 February 2009|archive-date=4 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104013855/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1997333,00.html|url-status=live}} Spurs also missed out on the First Division title to Everton, and stumbled to a 3–2 loss in the FA Cup final to Coventry City, whose winning goal was deflected off Gary Mabbutt's knee for an own goal in the final minutes.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 25: Where's All the Players Gone?}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9779448/How-Tottenhams-Gary-Mabbutt-gave-Coventry-City-an-epic-knees-up-in-1987-FA-Cup-final.html |title=How Tottenham's Gary Mabbutt gave Coventry City an epic knees-up in 1987 FA Cup final |first=Ian |last=Chadband |date=4 January 2013 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-date=13 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313092402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9779448/How-Tottenhams-Gary-Mabbutt-gave-Coventry-City-an-epic-knees-up-in-1987-FA-Cup-final.html |url-status=live }} The close season of 1987 saw the sale of Glenn Hoddle to Monaco after a decade as the driving force in Tottenham's midfield.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 25: Where's All the Players Gone?}}

In October 1987, Pleat quit the club following allegations about his private life.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=170}} He was succeeded by former player Terry Venables, who had by then built up an impressive managerial record. He inherited a Spurs side that was struggling in the league with a quarter of the 1987–88 season played. Earlier in the season veteran goalkeeper Ray Clemence had to retire after suffering an Achilles tendon injury,{{cite web|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/past-players/ray-clemence/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181310/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/past-players/ray-clemence/ |archive-date=10 December 2015 |title=Ray Clemence: 1981–1987|work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |access-date=22 March 2018|url-status=dead}} and new signings by Venables Terry Fenwick and Paul Walsh failed to lift the team, which finished in 13th place.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=171}} Striker Clive Allen was also less prolific in attack in this season, and he was sold to French club Bordeaux in March 1988.{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/clive-allen/ |title=Clive Allen |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=27 July 2004 |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108054450/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/clive-allen/ |url-status=live }}

To invigorate the Tottenham side, Venables paid a national record £2 million for Newcastle midfielder Paul Gascoigne in June 1988, and also signed striker Paul Stewart from Manchester City for £1.7 million.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KMIHCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA275 |title=Born to Manage: The Autobiography|first= Terry|last= Venables |publisher=Simon & Schuster UK|date=2014|isbn= 978-1471129919|page=275 }} Spurs made a shaky start to the 1988–89 season; incomplete refurbishment of the East Stand caused the postponement of the opening game against Coventry just a few hours before kickoff, which earned the club a two-point deduction (later replaced by a £15,000 fine), and this was followed by a string of losses in October.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2019/jan/09/spurs-white-hart-lane-stadium-tottenham-spurs |title=When building chaos kept Spurs out of White Hart Lane ... 30 seasons ago |first=Steven |last=Pye|date= 9 January 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=9 January 2019 }} They were second from bottom at the end of October, but improved to ninth place by the turn of 1989 and finished sixth in the final table.{{cite web |url=http://fchd.info/lghist/fl/fl1989.htm |title=Football League 1988–89 |work=Football Club History Database |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081021051606/http://www.fchd.info/lghist/fl/fl1989.htm |archive-date=21 October 2008 |date=21 October 2008 |access-date=11 February 2010}}

By the end of the 1980s and the beginning of 1990s, Spurs had become mired in considerable financial difficulties, with a debt reported to be £20 million in 1991.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/profile-wish-youd-never-joined-the-club-alan-sugar-footballs-one-man-angry-brigade-1423306.html |title=Profile: Wish you'd never joined the club?: Alan Sugar, football's one-man angry brigade |date=17 June 1994 |work=The Independent |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202438/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/profile-wish-youd-never-joined-the-club-alan-sugar-footballs-one-man-angry-brigade-1423306.html |url-status=live }} The East Stand was refurbished in 1989 but its cost had doubled to over £8 million, while the company's attempts to diversify into other businesses such as the clothing firms Hummel UK and Martex failed to generate the income expected and were in fact losing them money.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 26: Gazzamania}} July 1989 saw the arrival at White Hart Lane of England striker Gary Lineker from Barcelona for a fee of £1.2 million; however, the cash-strapped club was unable to pay Barcelona in full even though Waddle was sold days later to Marseille for £4.25 million.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=171}} Scholar had to organise a secret £1.1 million loan from Robert Maxwell, which caused an uproar and resulted in an attempt to oust Scholar from the boardroom when it was revealed.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 26: Gazzamania}}{{sfn|Harris|2009|loc=Chapter 12: Robert Maxwell and the Inside Track on how he Tried to buy Spurs }} Maxwell, who first owned Oxford United and then Derby County, became interested in the club, putting Derby County up for sale so that he could acquire Tottenham.{{cite news|title=How they won their Spurs |date=10 November 1991 |work=The Sunday Times Magazine |pages=34–44|first=Jeff|last= Randall }} Venables, who had previously attempted to buy the club but failed, then joined forces with businessman Alan Sugar in June 1991 to forestall a takeover by Maxwell and gain control of Tottenham Hotspur plc, buying out Scholar for £2 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/they-saw-an-open-goal-and-directors-scored-a-million-1109892.html|title=They saw an open goal, and directors scored a million|first=Chris|last=Horrie|date=31 July 1999|work=The Independent|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630192738/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/they-saw-an-open-goal-and-directors-scored-a-million-1109892.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-turbulent-times-at-tottenham-hotspur-1491853.html |title=Football: Turbulent times at Tottenham Hotspur |date= 14 June 1993 |work=The Independent |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803050544/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-turbulent-times-at-tottenham-hotspur-1491853.html |archive-date=3 August 2017 }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6923678.stm |title=Profile: Sir Alan Sugar |work=BBC |date=31 July 2007 |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218040502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6923678.stm |url-status=live }}

With Lineker and Gascoigne in the team, Spurs finished third in the 1989–90 title race won by Liverpool.{{cite web |url=http://fchd.info/lghist/fl/fl1990.htm |title=Football League 1989–90|work= Football Club History Database |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101063239/http://fchd.info/lghist/fl/fl1990.htm |archive-date=1 November 2007 |url-status=dead|access-date=11 February 2010}} In the following 1990–91 season, they began the season unbeaten in ten games, but failed to rediscover their earlier league form in the second half of the season, eventually finishing tenth in the final table.{{sfn|Harris|2009|loc=Chapter 14: Robert Maxwell and the Inside Track on How He Tried to Buy Spurs }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1990-91.html |title=Season 1990–91 |work=The Football Statistics Archive |access-date=30 December 2018 |first1=Paul |last1=Felton |first2=Stuart |last2=Jackson |archive-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513064425/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/fla/1990-91.html |url-status=live }} Despite the middling ranking, this season remains a highlight for Tottenham for their performances in the 1990–91 FA Cup. A 3–1 semi-final win over Arsenal featured a 30-yard free kick from Gascoigne considered to be one of the best goals ever seen in the competition.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1216438.stm|title=FA Cup revisited: Spurs v Arsenal|work=BBC Sport|date=5 April 2001|access-date=22 July 2017|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1216438.stm|url-status=live}} In the final against Nottingham Forest, Gascoigne suffered serious cruciate ligament damage in his knee when he made a reckless tackle on opponent Gary Charles.{{cite news |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/141059.html |title=Spurs' glory overshadowed by Gazza's pain |work=ESPN |date=15 March 2012 |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172124/http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/141059.html |url-status=live }} Winning the match 2–1 after extra time, Spurs became the first team to collect eight FA Cups, a record later surpassed by Manchester United in 1996.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/27/fa-cup-winners-list-full-record-finals-results-history/ |title=FA Cup winners list: Full record of finals and results from history |date=27 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-date=4 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604160433/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/27/fa-cup-winners-list-full-record-finals-results-history/ |url-status=live }} The excitement in North London over the win also had the unexpected result of prompting Sugar, who had little knowledge of the club's history (and was alleged to have asked "What Double?" when someone mentioned Tottenham's Double),{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/dec/20/sport.comment |title=A man who can sell anything except Sugar |first=Paul |last=Weaver|date= 20 December 2000|work=The Guardian |access-date=26 July 2017}} to contact Venables and jointly buy the club.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 27: When Alan Met Terry}}

Gascoigne was a transfer target for Italian club Lazio, but his knee injury (aggravated later in a nightclub incident) meant that he missed the 1991–92 season, and his transfer to Lazio was put on hold. By the summer of 1992, his knee had recovered and he completed his move to Lazio for £5.5 million, reduced from the £7.9 million fees agreed before his injury.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 27: When Alan Met Terry}} Gary Lineker then announced in November that he would be leaving Spurs at the end of the season to play in Japan, while Paul Walsh and Paul Stewart also left the club.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 27: When Alan Met Terry}}

In the 1991–92 season, Venables became chief executive of the club, and Shreeves again took charge of first-team duties. During the summer of 1992, Venables decided to return to team management; Shreeves was sacked, and a European style of management was instituted with Doug Livermore the head coach and Clemence the assistant. Although Sugar and Venables began as equal partners with each investing £3.25 million in the club, Sugar's financial clout allowed him to increase his stake to £8 million in December 1991, thereby gaining control of the club.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 27: When Alan Met Terry}} In May 1993, after a row at a board meeting, Terry Venables was controversially dismissed from the Tottenham board by Sugar, whose decision was overturned in the High Court but reversed on appeal.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-working-class-hero-who-we-all-wanted-to-believe-in-1138943.html |title=The working-class hero who we all wanted to believe in |first=David |last=Aaronovitch |date=16 January 1998 |work=The Independent |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802205503/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-working-class-hero-who-we-all-wanted-to-believe-in-1138943.html |url-status=live }} Despite being initially seen as a saviour of the club, the ousting of a popular figure, later aggravated by a perceived lack of investment in the club, earned Sugar long-lasting animosity from some fans who repeatedly called for his resignation.{{cite news |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/profile-wish-youd-never-joined-the-club-alan-sugar-footballs-one-man-angry-brigade-1423306.html |title= Profile: Wish you'd never joined the club?: Alan Sugar, football's one-man angry brigade|date= 18 June 1994 |work=The Independent|access-date=26 October 2018}}

Spurs were one of the five clubs that pushed for the founding of the Premier League, created with the approval of The Football Association to replace the Football League First Division as the highest division of English football.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/from-the-archive-blog/2012/feb/02/20-years-premier-league-football-1992 |title=Premier League football at 20: 1992, the start of a whole new ball game |first=Jason |last=Rodrigues |date=2 February 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2017 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103025124/https://www.theguardian.com/football/from-the-archive-blog/2012/feb/02/20-years-premier-league-football-1992 |url-status=live }} To coincide with the massive changes in English football, Tottenham made major signings, including winger Darren Anderton, defender Neil Ruddock,{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 27: When Alan Met Terry}} and striker Teddy Sheringham for what was then a club record £2.1 million from Nottingham Forest. The Sheringham transfer was later the subject of allegations of "bungs" against Forest manager Brian Clough.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5rJNDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT134 |title=Clough and Walker: Forest's Greatest Managers |first= Don |last=Wright |chapter=Chapter 18: The Hillsborough Effect |publisher=Amberley Publishing |date=2016|isbn=978-1445659725 }} In the first ever Premier League season—Venables' final year as Spurs' manager—Spurs finished eighth. Teddy Sheringham was the division's top scorer with 22 goals, 21 of which were scored for Tottenham.{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/lghist/fa1993.htm|title=F.A. Premier League 1992–93|work=Football Club History Database|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920093544/http://www.fchd.info/lghist/fa1993.htm|url-status=live}}

The departure of Venables saw Tottenham return to a conventional management setup after two seasons of a two-tier structure. Former player Osvaldo Ardiles took charge of the first team. In the 1993–94 season, Sheringham's injury in October 1993 impacted on Spurs' performance, and relegation became a real possibility.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=179}} In the end, the club managed a 15th-place finish, its survival only guaranteed by a win in the penultimate game of the season.{{sfn|Lipton|2017|loc=Chapter 11: King to Knave }} By this time Spurs had come under investigation for financial irregularities alleged to have taken place in the 1980s while Irving Scholar was chairman, and in June 1994 the club was found guilty of making illegal payments to players. Spurs were fined £600,000, had twelve league points deducted for the 1994–95 season and were banned from the 1994–95 FA Cup. Following an appeal the number of points deducted was reduced, but the fine was increased to £1.5 million. A further arbitration (after Sugar threatened to sue the FA) quashed the points deduction and FA Cup ban, although the fine remained in place.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-zGBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT319 |title=Sports Law |last1=Gardiner|first1=Simon|last2=Boyes|first2=Simon|last3=Naidoo|first3=Urvasi|last4=O'Leary|first4=John|last5=Welch|first5=Roger |date=2011|publisher= Taylor & Francis Ebooks|isbn=978-1136588129 }}

Despite the penalty, the club aimed to have a successful season in 1994–95, and signed three players who had appeared at that summer's World Cup: German striker Jürgen Klinsmann and two Romanians, Ilie Dumitrescu and Gheorghe Popescu.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-tottenham-pounce-on-klinsmann-for-2m-sugar-signs-one-of-the-best-players-in-the-world-on-his-yacht-in-monte-carlo-after-lengthy-pursuit-of-german-forward-1417142.html|title=Tottenham pounce on Klinsmann for £2m -Sugar signs one of the best players in the world on his yacht in Monte Carlo after lengthy pursuit of German forward|first=Henry|last=Winter|date=29 July 1994|work=The Independent|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925210154/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-tottenham-pounce-on-klinsmann-for-2m-sugar-signs-one-of-the-best-players-in-the-world-on-his-yacht-in-monte-carlo-after-lengthy-pursuit-of-german-forward-1417142.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/classic-transfer-tottenham-sign-three-world-cup-stars-14062997907|title=Classic transfer: Tottenham sign THREE World Cup stars|first=Damian|last=Mannion|date=29 June 2014|work=TalkSport|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813192509/https://talksport.com/football/classic-transfer-tottenham-sign-three-world-cup-stars-14062997907|url-status=live}} Forward players in Spurs line-up already included Sheringham, Anderton and Nick Barmby, and Ardiles chose to play five attacking players, dubbed the "Famous Five" of Klinsmann, Sheringham, Anderton, Barmby, and Dumitrescu.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/13/1 |title=Ossie Ardiles |first=Ossie |last=Ardiles |date=13 February 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230425/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/13/1 |url-status=live }} Their debut in the 1994–95 season against Sheffield Wednesday in August 1994, which Spurs won 4–3, was described as a "breathtaking exhibition of football", but the imbalance in the team also leaked goals (33 in 15 games).{{cite web |url=http://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/03/21/ossie-ardiles-and-the-wild-times-of-tottenhams-famous-five/ |title=Ossie Ardiles and the wild times of Tottenham's Famous Five |work=These Football Times |date=21 March 2016 |first=Harry |last=Reardon |access-date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802205418/http://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/03/21/ossie-ardiles-and-the-wild-times-of-tottenhams-famous-five/ |url-status=dead }} Spurs struggled in September with a series of defeats, and after the team lost 3–0 in the League Cup in October,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fans-turn-on-ardiles-after-humiliation-1445278.html|title=Football: Fans turn on Ardiles after humiliation|first=Jon|last=Culley|date=27 October 1994|work=The Independent|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625132422/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fans-turn-on-ardiles-after-humiliation-1445278.html|url-status=live}} Ardiles was dismissed. At that time Spurs were just two places above the relegation zone, although they would have been 11th in the table with the deducted points that were later restored.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/the-pain-game-one-year-on-1538626.html |title=The pain game, one year on |first=Simon |last=O'Hagan |date=5 November 1995 |work=The Independent |access-date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803012635/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/the-pain-game-one-year-on-1538626.html |url-status=live }}

Ardiles was replaced by Gerry Francis, who alleviated relegation fears and oversaw the club's climb to seventh place in the league, just missing out on a 1995–96 UEFA Cup place. When the FA Cup ban was lifted, Spurs reached the FA Cup semi-final where they were defeated 4–1 by eventual winners Everton.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=183}} Klinsmann was top scorer at the club with twenty-nine in all competitions, but he felt that Spurs would not be able to challenge for the title in future seasons, and returned to his homeland to sign with Bayern Munich.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 29: The One Who Turned Down Dennis Bergkamp}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/07/newsstory.sport9 |title=Klinsmann: the rise...and the falls |first=Andrew |last=Anthony |date=7 March 2004 |work=The Observer |access-date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140755/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/07/newsstory.sport9 |url-status=live }} Barmby, Dumitrescu and Popescu also departed, and Francis signed the likes of Ruel Fox and Chris Armstrong for more than £4 million each but spurned the chance to sign Dennis Bergkamp who was a fan of Glenn Hoddle and was interested in joining Spurs.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 29: The One Who Turned Down Dennis Bergkamp }}{{sfn|Harris|2009|loc=Chapter 9: Irving Scholar, and How I Signed Chris Waddle }} Other signings include future captain Ledley King who did not start in the first team for a few years. Francis' transfer dealings failed to deliver European qualification or higher, and Spurs finished eighth in 1996 and tenth in 1997. Sheringham left in the summer of 1997 for Manchester United while Les Ferdinand joined the team for a record £6 million and David Ginola for £2.5 million from Newcastle. Ferdinand was soon hit by injury, and in November 1997, Francis decided to resign after Spurs were beaten 4–0 by Liverpool.{{sfn|Harris|2009|loc=Chapter 19: Gerry Francis reveals the truth about his reign as manager and his relationship with Alan Sugar }}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=185}}

File:White Hart Lane Aerial.jpg as it appeared from the late 1990s until 2016]]

Christian Gross, coach of Swiss champions Grasshoppers, was chosen as the successor to Francis. Gross failed to turn around the club's fortunes in the 1997–98 season, and the team battled against the drop for the remainder of the campaign.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 30: The One Who Took The Tube }} Klinsmann returned to Spurs in December on loan, and four goals in a 6–2 win away to Wimbledon in the penultimate game of the season was enough to secure survival. By the end of the season, the renovation of the White Hart Lane stadium was completed. White Hart Lane was converted into an all-seater stadium in the 1990s, the South Stand was rebuilt, and a new tier added to the North Stand, leaving the stadium with a capacity of about 36,240. The stadium remained in this form bar some minor changes until 2016.

After losing two of the first three games of the 1998–99 season, Gross was sacked, and former Arsenal manager George Graham was hired to take over.{{cite news|title=Gross leaves struggling Spurs|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/165280.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=9 September 1998|access-date=9 December 2018|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108180629/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/165280.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=George Graham: Football's comeback king|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/179359.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=24 September 1998|access-date=9 December 2018|archive-date=18 September 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030918044445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/179359.stm|url-status=live}} Graham signed Steffen Freund, who became a fans' favourite, as well as Tim Sherwood.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/these-football-times/2015/oct/19/steffen-freund-tottenham-hotspur-and-midfielders |title=Steffen Freund, Tottenham Hotspur and the changing role of central midfielders |first=Harry |last=Reardon|date= 19 October 2015|work=The Guardian |access-date=18 September 2017 }}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=188}} Fans were critical of Graham due to his association with Arsenal and disliked his defensive style of football, especially when Arsène Wenger was starting to achieve major success at Arsenal with an attacking football style previously associated with Spurs.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 31 – The One in the Raincoat }} Nevertheless, in Graham's first season as Spurs manager, 1998–99, the club secured a mid-table finish and won the League Cup. In the final against Leicester City at Wembley Stadium, full-back Justin Edinburgh was sent off after an altercation with Robbie Savage, but the ten-men Spurs secured a dramatic victory through Allan Nielsen's diving header in the 93rd minute of the game.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/300408.stm |title=Nielsen nicks it for Spurs |date=22 March 1999 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=1 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030401194506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/300408.stm |url-status=live }} To cap a good season, David Ginola won both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards in the year Manchester United won the Treble.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11979/8602944/david-ginola-reflects-on-his-1999-pfa-player-of-the-year-award |title=David Ginola reflects on his 1999 PFA Player of the Year Award |work=Sky Sports |date=3 April 2013 |access-date=16 December 2018 |archive-date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003141639/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11979/8602944/david-ginola-reflects-on-his-1999-pfa-player-of-the-year-award |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=189}}

The club finished mid-table the following year. In May 2000, Tottenham signed Ukrainian striker Serhii Rebrov from Dynamo Kyiv for a club record £11 million. But Rebrov was not a success at White Hart Lane, managing just ten goals over the next four seasons.{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/01/17/serhiy-rebrov-the-dynamo-kyiv-legend-overtaken-by-darkness-now-charging-into-the-light/|title=Serhiy Rebrov: the Dynamo Kyiv legend overtaken by darkness, now charging into the light|date=17 January 2018|first=Gary|last=Thacker|work=These Football Times|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109235020/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/01/17/serhiy-rebrov-the-dynamo-kyiv-legend-overtaken-by-darkness-now-charging-into-the-light/|url-status=live}}

In late 2000, Sugar decided to sell his share holding in the club,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2993088/Inside-Sport-Sugar-ready-to-sell-as-Spurs-debts-climb.html |title=Inside Sport: Sugar ready to sell as Spurs debts climb |first=Mihir |last=Bose |date=18 November 2000 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=5 October 2017 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174036/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2993088/Inside-Sport-Sugar-ready-to-sell-as-Spurs-debts-climb.html |url-status=live }} a decision he blamed on the hostility of fans towards him and his family.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2995148/Sugar-puts-the-blame-squarely-on-Spurs-fans.html |title=Sugar puts the blame squarely on Spurs fans |first=William |last=Johnson |date=22 December 2000 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021642/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2995148/Sugar-puts-the-blame-squarely-on-Spurs-fans.html |url-status=live }} 27% of his 40% share holding in Tottenham were sold for £22m to ENIC Sports PLC,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/dec/21/newsstory.sport6 |title=Sugar sells for £22m as Levy steps in |first1=Vivek |last1=Chaudhary |first2=John |last2=Cassy |date=21 December 2000 |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302044925/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/dec/21/newsstory.sport6 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/new-dawn-at-spurs-as-sugars-era-ends-6356380.html |title=New dawn at Spurs as Sugar's era ends |first=David |last=Bond |date=28 February 2001 |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630030215/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/new-dawn-at-spurs-as-sugars-era-ends-6356380.html |url-status=live }} and he stepped down as chairman in February 2001 on the completion of the sale.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2998982/The-crestfallen-cockerels.html |title=The crestfallen cockerels |first=Simon |last=Hughes |date=16 February 2001 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824121547/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2998982/The-crestfallen-cockerels.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1192923.stm |title=Sugar's bittersweet reign |date=28 February 2001 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 October 2017 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108184329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1192923.stm |url-status=live }} The rest of his shares were sold in 2007 for £25m.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6731537.stm |title=Sugar sells Spurs stake for £25m |date=7 June 2007 |work=BBC |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=5 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805021518/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6731537.stm |url-status=live }} ENIC, owned by Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy with the latter responsible for the running of the club, would eventually acquire 85% of Tottenham.{{cite web |url=http://realbusiness.co.uk/funding/2016/04/22/tottenham-hotspur-share-sales-see-football-club-valued-at-426m/ |date=22 April 2016 |first=Hunter |last=Ruthven |title=Tottenham Hotspur share sales see football club valued at £426m |work=Real Business |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630213912/https://realbusiness.co.uk/funding/2016/04/22/tottenham-hotspur-share-sales-see-football-club-valued-at-426m/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/daniel-levy-has-divided-tottenham-fans-now-hes-overseeing-something-special-spurs |title=Daniel Levy has divided Tottenham fans, but now he's overseeing something special at Spurs |first=Raj |last=Bains |date=27 April 2017 |work=FourFourTwo |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161641/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/daniel-levy-has-divided-tottenham-fans-now-hes-overseeing-something-special-spurs |url-status=live }} The club was transferred into its private ownership in 2012.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16571738 |title=Tottenham Hotspur delists shares from stock exchange |work=BBC |access-date=30 June 2018 |date=7 March 2012 |last1=Wilson |first1=Bill |archive-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715113001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16571738 |url-status=live }} A month after Levy took over as chairman, George Graham was sacked as manager for alleged breach of contract by vice-chairman David Buchler after Graham commented on the financial position of Spurs.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/mar/17/newsstory.sport7 |title=Sacked Graham to sue Spurs |last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|last2=Chaudhary|first2=Vivek|last3=Thorpe|first3=Martin|date= 17 March 2001 |work=The Guardian |access-date=4 August 2017}}

Team management passed to former Tottenham player Glenn Hoddle, who took over in the final weeks of the 2000–01 season from caretaker manager David Pleat. His first game was a defeat to Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup semi-final.{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|p=190}} That summer, club captain Sol Campbell joined Arsenal on a Bosman free transfer. The loss of a transfer fee by Spurs, the move to their bitterest rivals, and the perceived underhanded fashion in which he negotiated his move (claimed to be a record £100,000 per week){{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1337461/Sol-Campbell-could-be-first-100000-a-week-star.html|title= Sol Campbell could be first £100,000-a-week star|first= David|last= Millward|date= 15 August 2001|work= The Telegraph|access-date= 3 August 2017|archive-date= 5 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170805094152/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1337461/Sol-Campbell-could-be-first-100000-a-week-star.html|url-status= live}} led to long-term enmity towards Campbell from Spurs fans.{{cite web|url=http://talksport.com/football/sol-campbell-not-invited-tottenham-final-game-white-hart-lane-170503237707|title=Sol Campbell not invited by Tottenham to final game at White Hart Lane|work=TalkSport|date=3 May 2017|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708143957/http://talksport.com/football/sol-campbell-not-invited-tottenham-final-game-white-hart-lane-170503237707|url-status=live}} Hoddle turned to more experienced players in the shape of Teddy Sheringham who returned to Spurs in May 2001, as well as new signings Gus Poyet and Christian Ziege. Spurs played some encouraging football in the opening months of his management, but they ended the 2001–02 season in ninth place. They reached the League Cup final, where they lost to Blackburn, despite being seen as the favourites after their 5–1 defeat of Chelsea in the previous round.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1834988.stm |title=Cole strike stuns Spurs |date=24 February 2002 |work=BBC |access-date=9 November 2018 |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113003338/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1834988.stm |url-status=live }}{{sfn|Goodwin|2003|page=190–191}}

The only significant outlay before the following campaign was the £7 million signing of Robbie Keane, who joined from Leeds United. Jamie Redknapp also joined earlier on a free transfer.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 32: What Price Loyalty?}} The 2002–03 season started well, with Tottenham top of the league after three successive wins, and Hoddle voted manager of the month in the division for August.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 32: What Price Loyalty?}} They were still in the top six as late as early February, but the season ended with a tenth-place finish, the result of a barren final ten games of the league campaign that delivered a mere seven points. Several players publicly criticised Hoddle's management and communication skills. In the following 2003–04 season, Spurs started the season poorly, gaining only four points out of six games. With Spurs struggling third from bottom at the table, Hoddle was sacked by Levy, and Pleat again took over as caretaker manager.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2421916/Hoddle-sacked-after-Spurs-poor-start.html |title=Hoddle sacked after Spurs' poor start |first=Richard |last=Bright |date=22 September 2003 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=4 August 2017 |archive-date=5 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805064309/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2421916/Hoddle-sacked-after-Spurs-poor-start.html |url-status=live }}

File:Robbie Keane Penalty.jpg prepares to take a penalty at White Hart Lane, 2005.]]

In June 2004, Tottenham appointed French team manager Jacques Santini as head coach, with Martin Jol as his assistant and Frank Arnesen as sporting director.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3774655.stm |title=Spurs appoint Santini |work=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=29 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829112810/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3774655.stm |url-status=live }} In early November, after only 13 games in charge, Santini decided to quit the club, making his the shortest stint by any Spurs manager.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2389587/Santini-quits-Spurs-after-power-struggle.html |title=Santini quits Spurs after power struggle |first=Mihir |last=Bose |date=6 November 2004 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052727/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2389587/Santini-quits-Spurs-after-power-struggle.html |url-status=live }} Santini was replaced by Jol,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/09/newsstory.tottenhamhotspur |title=Jol gets Spurs job and aims jibe at Santini |first=Matt |last=Scott|date= 9 November 2004 |work=The Guardian |access-date=17 September 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/feb/20/newsstory.sport7 |title=Santini on the attack over France and Spurs |first=Martin |last=Palmer|date= 20 February 2005 |work=The Guardian |access-date=17 September 2017}} and the team managed to secure a ninth-place finish in the 2004–05 season. In June 2005, when Arnesen moved to Chelsea, Spurs appointed Damien Comolli as sporting director. Among the players signed by Jol were Edgar Davids in 2005,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/28/newsstory.sport4 |title=Davids gives his word to Spurs |first=Matt |last=Scott|date= 28 July 2005 |work=The Guardian|access-date=22 March 2018}} Dimitar Berbatov in 2006,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4989122.stm |title=Tottenham agree fee for Berbatov |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019102311/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4989122.stm |url-status=live }} and Gareth Bale in May 2007.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6693839.stm |title=Tottenham complete Bale transfer |date=25 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6693839.stm |url-status=live }} Players who left included Michael Carrick, who went to Manchester United for a reported £18.6 million in 2006.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united-michael-carrick-last-game-team-news-a8346236.html |title=Why Sir Alex Ferguson didn't play Michael Carrick for Manchester United until it was raining |last1=Sports Staff |date=11 May 2018 |work=The Independent |access-date=30 December 2018 |archive-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230181159/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united-michael-carrick-last-game-team-news-a8346236.html |url-status=live }}

During the 2005–06 season, Spurs spent six months in the top four. Going into the final game of the season, they led Arsenal by a point, but were defeated in their final match—away to West Ham—after many players including Keane and Carrick succumbed to food poisoning from a meal they had the night before.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10804881/2006-remembered-The-food-poisoning-bug-that-cost-Tottenham-Hotspur-their-Champions-League-dream.html |title=2006 remembered: The food-poisoning bug that cost Tottenham Hotspur their Champions League dream |first=Oliver |last=Brown |date=2 May 2014 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124244/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10804881/2006-remembered-The-food-poisoning-bug-that-cost-Tottenham-Hotspur-their-Champions-League-dream.html |url-status=live }} Spurs were pipped to a UEFA Champions League place, but gained a place in the UEFA Cup and achieved their highest finish for 16 years. In 2006–07, they finished fifth for the second-straight year.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324156/Spurs-under-Martin-Jol.html |title=Spurs under Martin Jol |first=John |last=Ley |date=26 October 2007 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=19 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919011318/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324156/Spurs-under-Martin-Jol.html |url-status=live }}

File:Carling Cup Final 2008 - Spurs vs Chelsea.jpg, Spurs beat Chelsea 2–1.]]

The 2007–08 season saw the club win only one of their first ten League matches, their worst start in 19 years. Jol was sacked, learning of his removal just before a UEFA Cup game on 25 October 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324213/Tottenhams-bungled-sacking-of-Martin-Jol.html |title=Tottenham's bungled sacking of Martin Jol |first1=David |last1=Bond |first2=Jeremy |last2=Wilson |date=27 October 2007 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002553/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324213/Tottenhams-bungled-sacking-of-Martin-Jol.html |url-status=live }} Juande Ramos, formerly of Sevilla, then replaced the Dutchman as manager. Captained by Ledley King, Spurs went on to win the League Cup, beating Chelsea 2–1 in the League Cup final in February 2008.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm|title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea|last=Stevenson|first=Jonathan|date=24 February 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2008|archive-date=25 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225134253/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm|url-status=live}} Luka Modrić was signed towards the end of the season,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298478/Luka-Modric-signs-for-Tottenham.html |title=Luka Modric signs for Tottenham |first=Giles |last=Mole |date=26 April 2008 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229220442/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298478/Luka-Modric-signs-for-Tottenham.html |url-status=live }} but Berbatov and Keane were sold to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively in the summer as both wanted to leave.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/3366178/Daniel-Levy-comes-clean-about-why-Dimitar-Berbatov-was-sold-to-Manchester-United-Football.html |title=Tottenham's Daniel Levy reveals why Dimitar Berbatov was sold to Manchester United |first=Emily |last=Benammar |date=2 November 2008 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002441/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/3366178/Daniel-Levy-comes-clean-about-why-Dimitar-Berbatov-was-sold-to-Manchester-United-Football.html |url-status=live }} Tottenham made their worst start to a season in the club's history in 2008–09, their failure to register a win in eight League games leaving them bottom of the Premier League. Ramos and director of football Damien Comolli were dismissed on 25 October 2008, amid Levy's criticism of the failure to recruit suitable replacements for Berbatov and Keane.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7691623.stm|title=Levy explains decisions to fans|date=26 October 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2008|archive-date=29 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029081352/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7691623.stm|url-status=live}}

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was appointed as Ramos' replacement, and Tottenham reverted to a traditional setup with Redknapp responsible for both coaching and player transfers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7691457.stm|title=Tottenham sack Ramos for Redknapp|date=26 October 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2008|archive-date=28 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028114330/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7691457.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/26/tottenham-portsmouth-levy-berbatov-ramos-redknapp|title=Berbatov's sale key to Ramos and Comolli sackings, says Levy|last=Clarke|first=Gemma|date=26 October 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 October 2008}} Redknapp took the club out of the relegation zone by winning 10 out of the 12 points available in his first two weeks in charge, and finished the 2008–09 campaign eighth in the league table. The January transfer window saw the return of Keane and Jermain Defoe to the club after spells at Liverpool and Portsmouth respectively,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7861523.stm|title=Keane seals £12m Tottenham return|date=2 February 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=3 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203132009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7861523.stm|url-status=live}} later joined by Peter Crouch signed in the summer,{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/27/peter-crouch-transfer-tottenham-portsmouth |title=Tottenham sign £9m Peter Crouch as Darren Bent heads for Sunderland |first=Jamie |last=Jackson|date=28 July 2009|work=The Guardian |access-date=22 March 2018}} and Rafael van der Vaart in 2010.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/31/tottenham-real-madrid-rafael-van-der-vaart |title=Tottenham in late swoop for Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart |first=Jamie |last=Jackson|date=31 August 2010 |work=The Guardian|access-date=29 December 2018 }}

File:Laurent Koscielny clashes with Heurelho Gomes 2.jpg at the Emirates in 2010 that finished 2–3. Spurs players here include Luka Modrić, Jermaine Jenas, and Gareth Bale.]]

The team's performance improved in the two following seasons. Notable matches in the 2009–10 season include the 9–1 home win against Wigan Athletic, with Defoe scoring five, a record win in the top flight for the club,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8365091.stm|title=Tottenham 9–1 Wigan|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|date=22 November 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2009|archive-date=12 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112083717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8365091.stm|url-status=live}} and a 2–1 against Arsenal, with goals from Bale and debutant Danny Rose, giving them their first Premier League victory against their rivals.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8616181.stm|title=Tottenham 2–1 Arsenal|first=Marc|last=Vesty|date=14 April 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-date=7 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507080337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8616181.stm|url-status=live}} Spurs finished the 2009–10 season in fourth place, and reached the qualifying rounds of the Champions League for the first time in their history.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/7683573/Manchester-City-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-Harry-Redknapp-secures-place-in-the-history-books.html |title=Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Redknapp secures place in the history books |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=5 May 2010 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323154851/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/7683573/Manchester-City-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-Harry-Redknapp-secures-place-in-the-history-books.html |url-status=live }} In the 2010–11 season, they qualified for the group stages of the Champions League,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8939577.stm|title=Tottenham 4–0 Young Boys (agg 6–3)|date=25 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 August 2010|archive-date=26 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826034943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8939577.stm|url-status=live}} came top of their group and went on to beat A.C. Milan 1–0 on aggregate in the knockout stage.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/9420596.stm|title=Spurs boss Redknapp hails Champions League progress|work=BBC Sport|date=10 March 2011|access-date=10 March 2011|archive-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116131137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/9420596.stm|url-status=live}} At the quarter-finals, Spurs suffered a heavy defeat against Real Madrid after Crouch was sent off early in the game, and the 10-men team was beaten 4–0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and 5–0 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9445378.stm |title=Real Madrid 4–0 Tottenham |first=Marc |last=Vesty |work=BBC Sport |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801021608/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9445378.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9454054.stm |title=Tottenham 0–1 Real Madrid (agg 0–5) |work=BBC Sport |date=13 April 2011 |first=Phil |last=McNulty |access-date=10 August 2017}} Earlier in the season they won at the Emirates with goals from van der Vaart and Bale, their first win at Arsenal in 17 years.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9194607.stm |title=Arsenal 2–3 Tottenham |date=20 November 2010 |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9194607.stm |url-status=live }}

At the start of the 2011–12 season, the home league game to Everton was cancelled because of rioting in Tottenham a week before the game, and Spurs then lost the next two games.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/champions-make-it-tough-first-night-220811.html |title=Champions make it a tough first night |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club|access-date= 27 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004201124/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/champions-make-it-tough-first-night-220811.html|archive-date=4 October 2011 |date=22 August 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/we-were-right-in-game-harry-280811.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924023810/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/we-were-right-in-game-harry-280811.html |archive-date=24 September 2011 |title=We were right in game – Harry |access-date=27 November 2011 |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club}} Tottenham managed to record ten wins and one draw in their next eleven Premier League matches,{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/fixtures/_/id/367/league/eng.1/tottenham-hotspur?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110081952/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/fixtures/_/id/367/league/eng.1/tottenham-hotspur?cc=5901 |archive-date=10 January 2012 |title=Tottenham Hotspur Fixtures & Results – 2011/12|access-date= 7 December 2011 |work=ESPN}} and finished the season in fourth place in the Premier League but failed to qualify for the Champions League.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/20/harry-redknapp-spurs-europa-league |title=Harry Redknapp and Spurs given bitter pill of Europa League by Chelsea |first=Sachin |last=Nakrani |date=20 May 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2017 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121840/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/20/harry-redknapp-spurs-europa-league |url-status=live }} On 13 June 2012, after brief contract renewal talks during which Redknapp and the Tottenham board failed to agree terms, Redknapp was dismissed by the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18436663 |title=Tottenham Hotspur sack manager Harry Redknapp |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=16 June 2012 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616012055/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18436663 |url-status=live }}

Following Redknapp's departure, the club appointed former Chelsea and Porto coach André Villas-Boas as manager. Shortly after his appointment, the club pipped Liverpool for the signature of Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurðsson. Several days later, the club also resolved the protracted transfer saga surrounding Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18761297 |title=Jan Vertonghen completes Tottenham move from Ajax |work=BBC Sport |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=25 March 2018 |archive-date=3 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203121927/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18761297 |url-status=live }} They were soon followed by Hugo Lloris and Mousa Dembélé, while Modric left for Real Madrid.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=163}} In the 2012–13 season, they finished fifth. Despite winning a dramatic match against Sunderland with a goal from Gareth Bale in the final match of the season, Arsenal won their last match to take the 2013–14 Champions League spot, and Spurs dropped to the Europa League for the second successive season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499089 |title=Tottenham fulfilled their part of the bargain with a final-day victory over Sunderland |work=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=19 May 2013 |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803005220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499089 |url-status=live }} In their concurrent 2012–13 Europa League campaign, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Swiss side Basel on penalties.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22023547|title=European football|first=Neil|last=Johnston|work=BBC Sport|date=April 2013|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804203649/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22023547|url-status=live}}

At the beginning of the 2013–14 season, Bale moved to Real Madrid for what was then a world record transfer fee of €100.8 million (£85.1 million).{{cite news |title=Gareth Bale contract leak sparks panic at Real Madrid – and agent's fury |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/12111960/Revealed-How-Real-Madrid-claimed-Gareth-Bale-transfer-was-not-a-world-record-to-keep-Cristiano-Ronaldo-happy.html |work=The Telegraph |date=21 January 2016 |access-date=2 January 2017 |first=John |last=Percy |archive-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227231349/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/12111960/Revealed-How-Real-Madrid-claimed-Gareth-Bale-transfer-was-not-a-world-record-to-keep-Cristiano-Ronaldo-happy.html |url-status=live }} This money paid for several players signed in that transfer window, including Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=163}} Following a 6–0 defeat against Manchester City and a 5–0 defeat against Liverpool, Villas-Boas was dismissed from his role on 16 December 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-agrees-departure-of-andre-villas-boas-161213/ |title=Club agrees departure of Andre Villas-Boas |work=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=16 December 2013 |access-date=17 December 2013 |archive-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142724/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-agrees-departure-of-andre-villas-boas-161213/ |url-status=live }} A week later, former Spurs player Tim Sherwood became Villas-Boas' replacement as manager as a stopgap measure.{{sfn|Donovan|2017|p=165}}{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 37: Marching on, on, on}} Although Sherwood led Spurs to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27273512|title=Tottenham Hotspur 3–0 Aston Villa|date=11 May 2014|work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 January 2017 }} his results against the top teams were disappointing, and he was sacked on 13 May 2014.{{sfn|Welch|2019|loc=Chapter 37: Marching on, on, on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27389072|title=Tim Sherwood sacked as Tottenham manager|date=13 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115182208/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27389072|url-status=live}}

File:Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, December 2016 (08).JPG, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld]]

Mauricio Pochettino was appointed Tottenham manager on 27 May 2014, on a five-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27579306|title=Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham appoint Southampton boss|date=28 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118042011/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27579306|url-status=live}} In his first season Spurs finished fifth in the 2014–15 Premier League with 64 points, and were runners-up in the 2015 Football League Cup final. Pochettino chose to promote young players, and in his second season in charge, Spurs had the youngest team in the Premier League.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/tottenham-hotspur/story/2940294/tottenham-fielding-youngest-side-in-the-premier-league-study |title=Tottenham fielding youngest side in the Premier League – study |first=Liam |last=Towmey |date=29 August 2016 |work=ESPN FC |access-date=18 October 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003070448/http://www.espnfc.co.uk/tottenham-hotspur/story/2940294/tottenham-fielding-youngest-side-in-the-premier-league-study |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10187818/martin-tylers-stats |title=Martin Tyler's stats: Youngest Premier League squads and players to score twice on debut |date=2 March 2016 |first=Martin |last=Tyler |work=Sky Sports |access-date=18 October 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019080551/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10187818/martin-tylers-stats |url-status=live }} A new generation of players that included Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier were all aged 22 or younger that season.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/nov/07/mauricio-pochettino-tottenham-youth |title=Mauricio Pochettino turns Tottenham into a fountain of youth |first=James |last=Riach |date=7 November 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=18 October 2016 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603172823/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/nov/07/mauricio-pochettino-tottenham-youth |url-status=live }} Spurs had a much improved 2015–16 season, but their title challenge ended with a 2–2 draw at Stamford Bridge on 2 May 2016, and they finished third behind winners Leicester.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36126924 |first=Aimee |last=Lewis |work=BBC Sport |title=Chelsea 2–2 Tottenham |date=2 May 2016 |access-date=5 January 2017 |archive-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502220241/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36126924 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/14/premier-league-final-day-can-arsenal-pip-spurs-to-second-place-a/ |title=Premier League final day: Arsenal snatch second place as Tottenham are hammered by ten-man Newcastle |first=Adam |last=Hurrey |date=15 May 2016 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=5 January 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322122332/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/14/premier-league-final-day-can-arsenal-pip-spurs-to-second-place-a/ |url-status=live }} The following 2016–17 season began with a series of 12 unbeaten league matches, but the team performed inconsistently during the first half of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/26/did-chelsea-end-tottehams-unbeaten-run-wide-players-key/ |title=How Chelsea ended Tottenham's unbeaten run and why their wide players were key |first=Matt |last=Law |date=26 November 2016 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322104426/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/26/did-chelsea-end-tottehams-unbeaten-run-wide-players-key/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/may/01/mauricio-pochettino-tipsy-tottenham-hangover |title=Mauricio Pochettino's task is to ensure tipsy Tottenham avoid a hangover |first=Barney |last=Ronay|date= 1 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 May 2017}} They put in a much better performance in 2017, including a win in the North London derby that ensured a higher finish in the Premier League than their rivals Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/30/tottenham-vs-arsenal-premier-league-live-score-updates/ |title=Tottenham 2 Arsenal 0: Rampant Spurs revel in north London ascendancy |first1=Jason |last1=Burt |first2=Rob |last2=Bagchi |work=The Telegraph |date=30 April 2017 |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=14 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514052306/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/30/tottenham-vs-arsenal-premier-league-live-score-updates/ |url-status=live }} Their early inconsistency meant that Spurs were unable to overhaul the lead of the eventual champions Chelsea in the league table (13 points over Spurs at one stage in March),{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/18/when-will-chelsea-win-the-premier-league-title-as-antonio-conte-eyes-21-points-6518937/ |title=When will Chelsea win the Premier League title as Antonio Conte eyes 21 points? |first=Mark |last=Brus |date=18 March 2017 |work=Metro |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517194522/http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/18/when-will-chelsea-win-the-premier-league-title-as-antonio-conte-eyes-21-points-6518937/ |url-status=live }} and finished the season in second place with 86 points, their highest ever points tally since the Premier League began.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39912022 |title=Hull City 1:7 Tottenham Hotspur |work=BBC Sport |first=Alex |last=Bysouth |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=22 May 2017 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121180945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39912022 |url-status=live }} This is their highest ranking in 54 years since the 1962–63 season under Bill Nicholson,{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-confirm-secondplace-premier-league-finish-with-victory-in-last-ever-white-hart-lane-game-a3538706.html |title=Tottenham confirm second-place Premier League finish with victory in last ever White Hart Lane game |first=Alex |last=Young |date=14 May 2017 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=15 May 2017}} and the team also achieved their first unbeaten home run in 52 years since the 1964–65 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/14/tottenham-hotspur-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report |title=Tottenham leave the Lane on high note by beating Manchester United |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |date=14 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111235503/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/14/tottenham-hotspur-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2017/05/14/35512562/tottenham-end-season-unbeaten-at-white-hart-lane-for-the |title=Mauricio Pochettino's side also equalled a club record after beating Manchester United in their final game at their current home |date=14 May 2017 |work=Goal |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517033134/http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2017/05/14/35512562/tottenham-end-season-unbeaten-at-white-hart-lane-for-the? |url-status=live }}

File:Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - view from High Road February 2019.jpg]]

The construction of a new stadium was initiated at on land adjacent to White Hart Lane in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2016/dec/21/tottenham-hotspur-new-stadium-changing-face-white-hart-lane-in-pictures |title=Tottenham's new stadium: the changing face of White Hart Lane – in pictures |date=21 December 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 January 2017 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614221310/https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2016/dec/21/tottenham-hotspur-new-stadium-changing-face-white-hart-lane-in-pictures |url-status=live }} The new stadium has a seating capacity of 62,062, considerably greater than the 36,000 of White Hart Lane. A section of the North Stand was removed to allow building work on the new stadium to proceed next to the old stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenhams-new-stadium-will-have-better-atmosphere-than-arsenals-emirates-says-spurs-director-a3429286.html |title=Tottenham's new stadium will have better atmosphere than Arsenal's Emirates, says Spurs director Donna-Maria Cullen |first=Tom |last=Dutton |date=29 December 2016 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=2 January 2017 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615141011/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenhams-new-stadium-will-have-better-atmosphere-than-arsenals-emirates-says-spurs-director-a3429286.html |url-status=live }} The removal of part of the stand reduced the capacity of the stadium, and European matches were held at Wembley Stadium for the 2016–17 season to comply with the ticketing requirement for European games.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/28/tottenham-champions-league-fixtures-wembley-stadium |title=Tottenham Hotspur to play Champions League matches at Wembley |work=The Observer |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510050251/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/28/tottenham-champions-league-fixtures-wembley-stadium |url-status=live }} A club attendance record of 85,512 spectators was reported for the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen, which Spurs lost 1–0.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37839379 | title=Tottenham Hotspur 0–1 Bayer 04 Leverkusen | work=BBC Sport | date=2 November 2016 | access-date=25 October 2017 | archive-date=26 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026082942/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37839379 | url-status=live }} Spurs played their last game at White Hart Lane on 14 May 2017, a 2–1 victory over Manchester United that secured their second place in the Premier League.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833969 |title=Spurs hold on to beat Man Utd in White Hart Lane farewell |first=Caroline |last=Chapman |date=14 May 2017 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805043946/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833969 |url-status=live }}

In the summer of 2017, White Hart Lane was demolished to allow the new stadium to be completed, and all Tottenham's home games were played at Wembley for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10854713/tottenham-confirm-move-to-wembley-for-201718-season |title=Tottenham confirm move to Wembley for 2017/18 season |first=Lyall |last=Thomas |date=28 April 2017 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715015922/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10854713/tottenham-confirm-move-to-wembley-for-201718-season |url-status=live }} As the stadium has a higher capacity, this season saw a series of record attendances for Premier League games, the highest at the North London Derby on 10 February 2018 when 83,222 spectators witnessed Spurs' 1–0 win over Arsenal.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-break-manchester-uniteds-premier-league-attendance-record-at-wembley-stadium-a3664826.html|title=Tottenham break Manchester United's Premier League attendance record at Wembley Stadium|first=Tom|last=Doyle|date=23 October 2017|work=Evening Standard|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025184933/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-break-manchester-uniteds-premier-league-attendance-record-at-wembley-stadium-a3664826.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/english-premier-league/story/3367310/tottenham-vs-man-united-sets-premier-league-attendance-record |title=Tottenham vs. Man United sets Premier League attendance record |first=Dan |last=Kilpatrick |work=ESPN |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-date=1 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075456/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/english-premier-league/story/3367310/tottenham-vs-man-united-sets-premier-league-attendance-record |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/10/harry-kane-talismanic-tottenham-sink-arsenal-front-record-breaking-wembley-crowd-7302499/ |title=Harry Kane talismanic as Tottenham sink Arsenal in front of record-breaking Wembley crowd |first=Tom |last=Olver |date=10 February 2018 |work=Metro |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-date=10 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210160232/http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/10/harry-kane-talismanic-tottenham-sink-arsenal-front-record-breaking-wembley-crowd-7302499/ |url-status=live }} Tottenham failed to make any new signings in the summer transfer window of 2018, the first club not to do so in the Premier League.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/08/09/premier-league-transfer-window-deadline-day-live-updates/ |title=Premier League transfer window: Everton and Fulham enjoy busy deadline day but Man Utd and Tottenham misfire |first1=Charlie |last1=Eccleshare |first2=Adam |last2=Hurrey |date=9 August 2018 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214421/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/08/09/premier-league-transfer-window-deadline-day-live-updates/ |url-status=live }} They also failed to sign anyone in the next transfer window in January.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/tottenham-transfer-window-pochettino-signings-champions-league-a8757476.html |title=After another quiet transfer window, where do Tottenham now stand? |first=Jack |last=Pitt-Brooke |work=The Independent |date=1 February 2019 |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510223327/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/tottenham-transfer-window-pochettino-signings-champions-league-a8757476.html |url-status=live }} They nevertheless had their best start in the Premier League in the 2018–19 season,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/20/west-ham-tottenham-premier-league-match-report |title=Érik Lamela the star as Tottenham hold on for narrow win at West Ham |first=David |last=Hytner |date= 20 October 2018 |work=The Guardian|access-date=10 November 2018 }} ended by a home defeat against Manchester City.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-vs-man-city-live-stream-online-premier-league-2018-latest-score-goals-tv-watch-a3974846.html |title=Tottenham 0 Manchester City 1 LIVE: Premier League 2018–19 football as it happened at Wembley |date=29 October 2018 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=10 November 2018 |archive-date=10 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110043556/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-vs-man-city-live-stream-online-premier-league-2018-latest-score-goals-tv-watch-a3974846.html |url-status=live }} After some delay, the new stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was completed and opened on 3 April 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham/tottenham-hotspur-stadium-opening-ceremony-spurs-pay-homage-to-regeneration-of-local-area-after-2011-a4108686.html |title=Tottenham Hotspur stadium opening ceremony: Spurs pay homage to regeneration of local area after 2011 riots |date=3 April 2019 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=6 April 2019 |first=Jack |last=Rosser |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403235257/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham/tottenham-hotspur-stadium-opening-ceremony-spurs-pay-homage-to-regeneration-of-local-area-after-2011-a4108686.html |url-status=live }} The first game at the stadium, the Premier League game against Crystal Palace, was won by Tottenham 2–0, with Son Heung-min scoring the first-ever official goal at the new stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/03/tottenhams-first-game-new-stadium-plus-man-city-chelsea-premier/ |title=Son Heung-min writes his name in Spurs folklore with first goal in Tottenham's new stadium |first1=Jason |last1=Burt |first2=Alan |last2=Tyers |work=The Telegraph |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=6 April 2019 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403220056/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/03/tottenhams-first-game-new-stadium-plus-man-city-chelsea-premier/ |url-status=live }}

Tottenham started the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League poorly, gaining only one point in the first three games of the group stage.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/psv-vs-tottenham-live-stream-online-champions-league-2018-latest-score-goals-tv-watch-a3970686.html |title=PSV Eindhoven 2 Tottenham 2 LIVE: Champions League 2018–19 as it happened – Hugo Lloris red card costs Spurs |first=Malik |last=Ouzia |date=24 October 2018 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510230542/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/psv-vs-tottenham-live-stream-online-champions-league-2018-latest-score-goals-tv-watch-a3970686.html |url-status=live }} They managed to qualified for the knockout phase with a late equalising goal against Barcelona.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/11/barcelona-tottenham-champions-league-match-report |title=Lucas Moura's late goal in Barcelona takes Tottenham through to last 16 |first=David |last=Hytner |date=11 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073357/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/11/barcelona-tottenham-champions-league-match-report |url-status=live }} After beating Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16, the team staged a dramatic win on away goals (4–4 on aggregate) against Manchester City in the quarter-final,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/18/man-city-spurs-football-art |title=My team lost, but Man City v Spurs was better theatre than Shakespeare |first=Simon |last=Hattenstone |date=18 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073253/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/18/man-city-spurs-football-art |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/17/manchester-city-vs-tottenham-champions-league-live-score-latest/ |title=Tottenham edge past Manchester City with dramatic late VAR twist in Champions League classic |first1=Jason |last1=Burt |first2=JJ |last2=Bull |date=18 April 2019 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520014630/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/17/manchester-city-vs-tottenham-champions-league-live-score-latest/ |url-status=live }} followed by a last-gasp victory over Ajax in the dying seconds of the semi-final, achieved with a hat-trick by Lucas Moura to overcome a 3–0 deficit on aggregate in the second half of the return leg. Tottenham reached their first ever Champions League final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48163330 |title=Tottenham & Liverpool: Greatest Champions League comebacks of all time |first=Chris |last=Peddy |work=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2019 |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211741/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48163330 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48335656 |title=Tottenham v Liverpool: Champions League finalists who would not go away |first=Neil |last=Johnston |work=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608112808/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48335656 |url-status=live }} However, they were beaten 2–0 by Liverpool in an uninspiring final, and finished runners-up.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/06/02/tottenham-vs-liverpool-champions-league-final-flattest-recent/ |title=Why was Tottenham vs Liverpool Champions League final the flattest in recent memory? |first=Charlie |last=Eccleshare |work=The Telegraph |date=2 June 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602111018/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/06/02/tottenham-vs-liverpool-champions-league-final-flattest-recent/ |url-status=live }}

The 2019–20 season started poorly for Tottenham, winning only three of their first 12 league games and struggled in the cup tournaments, including a disastrous 7–2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage.{{Cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=1 October 2019|title=Tottenham Hotspur 2–7 Bayern Munich|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49872949|access-date=4 June 2021|website=BBC Sport|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608012047/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49872949|url-status=live}} As a result, Pochettino was subsequently sacked on 19 November 2019, to be replaced by José Mourinho as coach the following day.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50482268 |title=Mauricio Pochettino sacking: Have Tottenham made the right decision? |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC |date =19 November 2019 |access-date=25 November 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/20/football/tottenham-hotspur-jose-mourinho-intl-hnk-scli-spt/index.html |title=Jose Mourinho: Tottenham Hotspur announce new head coach |first1=Joshua |last1=Berlinger |first2=John |last2=Sinnott |first3=Ben |last3=Church |work=CNN |access-date=25 November 2019 |date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=25 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125162759/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/20/football/tottenham-hotspur-jose-mourinho-intl-hnk-scli-spt/index.html |url-status=live }} In a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mourinho failed to lift the team to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in five years, but managed to qualify for the 2020–21 Europa League.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51707670 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Norwich City |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=BBC Sport |date=4 Mar 2020 |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605024243/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51707670 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51800646 |title=RB Leipzig 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |work=BBC Sport |date=10 Mar 2020 |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311063318/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51800646 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12036887/jose-mourinho-targets-champions-league-return-after-tottenham-seal-europa-league-spot |title=Jose Mourinho targets Champions League return after Tottenham seal Europa League spot |work=Sky Sports |date=30 July 2020 |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607192804/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12036887/jose-mourinho-targets-champions-league-return-after-tottenham-seal-europa-league-spot |url-status=live }} In the following 2020–21 season, Tottenham had a good run of form in the first few months, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min forming a formidable goal-scoring partnership, seeing Spurs to the top of the league table in late November following a win 2–0 against Manchester City.{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2059773 |title=Kane and Son combine to set Premier League record |date=7 March 2021 |work=Premier League |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308065027/https://www.premierleague.com/news/2059773 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=21 November 2020|title=Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Manchester City|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2059773|access-date=4 June 2021|work=Premier League|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519202246/https://www.premierleague.com/news/2059773|url-status=live}} However, a string of bad results saw them dropping down the league table through the second half of the season,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55032761 |title=Chelsea 0 : 0 Tottenham Hotspur |work=BBC Sport |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128161809/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55032761 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/jose-mourinho-still-worlds-best-despite-fifth-loss-in-six-games-ll39tdvwh|title=José Mourinho 'still world's best' despite fifth loss in six games|first=Ian|last=Whittell|date=22 February 2021|work=The Times|access-date=8 March 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308060039/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jose-mourinho-still-worlds-best-despite-fifth-loss-in-six-games-ll39tdvwh|url-status=live}} and Mourinho's defensive style of football further drew criticisms.{{cite news |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2020-2021/tottenham-0-1-chelsea-jose-mourinho-s-style-is-tired-and-no-longer-gets-results-he-has-to-go_sto8099617/story.shtml |title=Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea: Jose Mourinho's style is tired and no longer gets results - he has to go |first=Pete |last=Hall |work=Eurosport |access-date=2 July 2021 |date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803100501/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2020-2021/tottenham-0-1-chelsea-jose-mourinho-s-style-is-tired-and-no-longer-gets-results-he-has-to-go_sto8099617/story.shtml |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/19/tottenham-sacking-consigns-dour-and-dogmatic-jose-mourinho-to-the-past|title=Tottenham sacking consigns dour and dogmatic José Mourinho to the past|first=Jonathan|last=Liew|work=The Guardian|date=14 March 2021|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-date=27 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073356/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/19/tottenham-sacking-consigns-dour-and-dogmatic-jose-mourinho-to-the-past|url-status=live}} Mourinho was dismissed from Tottenham on 19 April 2021, just six days prior to the League Cup final, to be replaced by ex-Tottenham player and interim head coach, Ryan Mason, for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/04/19/jose-mourinho-facing-tottenham-sack-today-brought-talks/ |title=Exclusive: Mourinho tenure comes to an end as chairman Daniel Levy takes drastic action over club's disappointing second half to the season |first1=John |last1=Percy |first2=Sam |last2=Wallace |date=19 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/04/19/jose-mourinho-facing-tottenham-sack-today-brought-talks/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=20 April 2021|title=Tottenham: Ryan Mason named head coach for rest of season|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56813398|access-date=21 May 2021|website=BBC Sport|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420110701/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56813398|url-status=live}}

Tottenham lost 1–0 to Man City in the League Cup final and finished seventh in the league table, thereby qualifying for the inaugural 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) but failing to qualify for either Champions or Europa Leagues the first time since the 2009–10 season.{{Cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=25 April 2021|title=Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56790307|access-date=23 May 2021|website=BBC Sport|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425121207/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56790307|url-status=live}}

On 30 June 2021, Nuno Espírito Santo was named the new manager of Tottenham,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/30/tottenham-appoint-nuno-espirito-santo-as-manager-on-two-year-deal |title=Tottenham appoint Nuno Espírito Santo as manager on two-year deal |first=Marcus |last=Christenson |date=30 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |access-date=1 July 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073255/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/30/tottenham-appoint-nuno-espirito-santo-as-manager-on-two-year-deal |url-status=live }} but was replaced by Antonio Conte in early November after only four months in charge, the shortest tenure as permanent manager in the club's history since Santini.{{cite web |title=Antonio Conte: Tottenham appoint former Chelsea boss as new manager |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59123988 |date=2 November 2021 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 November 2021 |archive-date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102121444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59123988 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/comparing-nunos-record-at-spurs-with-their-last-5-managers/ |title=Comparing Nuno's record at Spurs with their last 5 managers |date=2 November 2021 |work=Planet Football |access-date=2 May 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502162516/https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/comparing-nunos-record-at-spurs-with-their-last-5-managers/ |url-status=live }} Despite an early exit in the Conference League, Conte guided Spurs to fourth and back to a Champions League spot at the end of the 2021–22 season, after two seasons out of the European competition.{{cite web |title=Norwich v Spurs, 2021/22 {{!}} Premier League |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/66721 |website=www.premierleague.com |language=en |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526190541/https://www.premierleague.com/match/66721 |url-status=live }} Conte left on 26 March 2023 following his criticism of the players and the club, and his assistant Cristian Stellini then served as the acting head coach,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64168691|title=Antonio Conte: Tottenham manager leaves after 16 months in charge|date=27 March 2023|work=BBC Sport|access-date=27 March 2023|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326213739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64168691|url-status=live}} followed again by Ryan Mason.{{cite news |title=Cristian Stellini: Tottenham sack interim manager after Newcastle thrashing |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65365163 |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425224833/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65365163 |url-status=live }}

Ange Postecoglou was appointed the manager of Tottenham in June 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65819185 |title=Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou leaves Celtic to become new Spurs manager |date=6 June 2023 |work=BBC |access-date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606100123/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65819185 |url-status=live }} Postecoglou started the first 10 games of the 2023–24 season unbeaten with 8 wins and 2 draws, which is Tottenham's best start in a top-flight season since 1960–61.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/tottenham-go-five-points-clear-with-2-1-win-palace-2023-10-27/ |title=Tottenham go five points clear with 2-1 win at Palace |work=Reuters |date=27 October 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112023139/https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/tottenham-go-five-points-clear-with-2-1-win-palace-2023-10-27/ |url-status=live }} Postecoglou led the team to qualification for the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League after finishing fifth in the league.{{Cite web |title=Tottenham 3-0 Sheffield Utd (May 19, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/671409/tottenham-hotspur-sheffield-united |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

• List of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. records and statistics
• List of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players
• List of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. managers

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |url=http://www.spurshistory.com/index.html |title=A Romance of Football, The History of the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |author=The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald |date=1921 |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-date=23 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123235829/http://www.spurshistory.com/index.html |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last= Clavane |first= Anthony |title= Does Your Rabbi Know You're Here: The Story of English Football's Forgotten Tribe |publisher= Quercus |date=2012 |isbn= 978-0-857388-12-4}}
• {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S07SDAAAQBAJ |title=People's History of Tottenham Hotspur: How Spurs Fans Shaped the Identity of One of the World's Most Famous Clubs |first1=Martin |last1=Cloake |first2=Alan |last2=Fisher |publisher=Pitch Publishing |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-78531-246-5 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• {{cite book |last= Davies |first= Hunter |title= The Glory Game |publisher= Mainstream |year= 1972 |isbn= 978-1-84018-242-2 }}
• {{cite book |last= Donovan |first= Mike |title= Glory, Glory Lane |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SpTTAQAACAAJ |publisher= Pitch Publishing |year= 2017 |isbn= 978-1-78531-326-4 |access-date= 14 September 2020 |archive-date= 27 June 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073256/https://books.google.com/books?id=SpTTAQAACAAJ |url-status= live }}
• {{cite book |title=Spurs: A Complete Record 1882–1988 |first=Bob |last=Goodwin |publisher=Breedon Books|year=1988|isbn= 978-0-907969-42-6 }}
• {{cite book |title= Spurs: The Illustrated History |date=2003|first=Bob |last=Goodwin |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd |isbn= 978-185983-387-2 }}
• {{cite book |title=Down Memory Lane: A Spurs Fan's View of the Last Fifty Years |first=Harry|last= Harris|publisher=Green Umbrella |date= 2009 | isbn=978-1-906635-64-0}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sO1zDQAAQBAJ|title=White Hart Lane: The Spurs Glory Years 1899–2017|first=Martin|last=Lipton|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|date=2017|isbn=978-1-4091-6928-4|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-date=16 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716075316/https://books.google.com/books?id=sO1zDQAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book |last1= Powley |first1= Adam |last2= Cloake |first2= Martin |title= The Lane: The Official History of the World Famous Home of the Spurs |publisher= Vision Sports Publishing |date= 2016|isbn= 978-1-909534-67-4}}
• {{cite book |last1= Powley |first1= Adam |last2= Cloake |first2= Martin |title= The Spurs Miscellany |publisher= Vision Sports Publishing |date=2012 |isbn= 978-1-907637-71-1}}
• {{cite book |title=The Spurs Shirt |first1= Simon|last1=Shakeshaft |first2=Daren|last2=Burney|first3=Neville |last3=Evans|publisher= Vision Sports Publishing |date= 2018|isbn= 978-1909534-76-6}}
• {{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l67VDAAAQBAJ |title= Turf Wars: A History of London Football |first= Steve |last= Tongue |date= 2016 |publisher= Pitch Publishing |isbn= 978-1-78531-248-9 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUtLuQEACAAJ|title=The Biography of Tottenham Hotspur|first=Julie|last=Welch|publisher=Vision Sports Publishing|date=2019|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-909534-88-9|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=27 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627073258/https://books.google.com/books?id=kUtLuQEACAAJ|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

{{Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}}

{{History of football in England by club}}

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur