Tottenham Hotspur F.C. competes in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Founded in 1882, they have a rich history of domestic and European success, including winning multiple league titles and FA Cups. The club has a fierce rivalry with Arsenal and is owned by ENIC Group.
Harry Kane holds the club goal scoring record for Tottenham Hotspur with 280 goals scored, solidifying his place in the club's history.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club was founded in 1882.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. played their first match against Radicals and lost by two goals on 30th August 1882.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club was formed on September 5, 1882 by a group of schoolboys led by Bobby Buckle. Originally named Hotspur Football Club, it was later renamed to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in April 1884.
Tottenham Hotspur played their first recorded match on 30 September 1882 against a local team named the Radicals, which they lost 2-0.
Tottenham played their first reported game at Tottenham Marshes against Brownlow Rovers, winning 9-0. This marked the beginning of the club's presence in the football scene.
In April 1884, Hotspur Football Club was renamed to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club to avoid confusion with another London club named Hotspur. The team had been referred to as 'Spurs' in press reports since 1883.
On October 17, 1885, Tottenham Hotspur played their first ever competitive match against St Albans in the London Association Cup, winning 5-2. This marked the beginning of a successful cup tradition for the club.
The first meeting between Tottenham and Arsenal took place on November 19th, 1887. The match ended with controversy as Arsenal, then known as Royal Arsenal, were losing 2-1 and the game was abandoned 15 minutes before full time due to their complaints. This event marked the beginning of the historic rivalry between the two clubs.
Tottenham played their first game at Northumberland Park on 13 October 1888, where spectators were charged admission fees for the first time. This marked a significant step in the club's financial development.
In 1890, Tottenham Hotspur underwent a kit change, switching their shirts to red. This change was considered controversial and almost sacrilegious by some fans.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club was established in 1892.
In October 1893, Tottenham Hotspur got involved in the Payne Boots Affair where they were accused of professionalism breaching amateur rules after providing a player with boots, resulting in suspension and elimination from the FA Amateur Cup.
On 16th December 1895, Tottenham Hotspur adopted professionalism, marking a significant milestone in the club's history. This decision paved the way for future successes and developments within the team.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club turned professional on December 20, 1895. This marked a significant step in the club's history as they aimed to compete at a higher level in the footballing world.
In 1896, Tottenham Hotspur reached their first Cup Final, marking a significant achievement in the club's history. Despite losing to Wellingborough in the local Charity cup competition, this event laid the foundation for future successes.
In 1897, Tottenham Hotspur reached their first cup final but unfortunately lost 2-0 to Wellingborough in a local charity cup.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. transitioned into a limited company, the Tottenham Hotspur Football and Athletic Company Ltd, on March 2, 1898. This move was aimed at raising funds for the club and reducing the personal liability of its members.
On 14 March 1898, Frank Brettell was appointed as the first manager of Spurs, leading to significant player signings and successes in the following years.
The first game at White Hart Lane was a friendly against Notts County on 4 September 1899, which Spurs won 4-1.
Tottenham Hotspur won the 1901 FA Cup after defeating Sheffield United in a replay match at Burnden Park. This victory made Spurs the only non-League club to achieve this feat since the formation of the Football League in 1888.
Tottenham Hotspur set a record by scoring 15 goals overall in the finals, a remarkable achievement that is unlikely to be surpassed.
In 1905, Tottenham raised enough funds to buy the freehold to the White Hart Lane land, securing a permanent home for the club. This marked a significant milestone in the club's history.
Tottenham Hotspur played against Grimsby Town during the 1905-06 season.
Tottenham emerged victorious in the Baseball Championships in 1906 and 1908, demonstrating their excellence in other sports.
In 1908, Tottenham became a member of the Football League and quickly rose to the first division in their inaugural season, showcasing their rapid progress in English football.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR played against team '3' in the 1908-09 season resulting in a draw.
In 1909, Tottenham Hotspur won their first ever league match 3-0 against Wolves, finishing runners up and gaining promotion to the First Division in their first attempt.
Tottenham was the first team not in the Football League to win the FA Cup in 1910.
The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur began in 1913 when Arsenal moved to Arsenal Stadium, intensifying in 1919 when Arsenal were promoted to the First Division, a place Tottenham believed should have been theirs.
In 1915, Tottenham Hotspur was relegated to the Second Division after finishing 20th in the league. It was later revealed that Arsenal had allegedly bribed the Football Association, leading to Spurs' relegation.
In 1919, Arsenal was given Tottenham Hotspur's place in the first division. Interestingly, on the same day, the ship's pet parrot, presented to the club by the captain, died after ten years of surviving happily at the club.
In 1920, Tottenham Hotspur won their first league championship by storming to the second division title with a record 70 points. This achievement overshadowed the shenanigans surrounding Arsenal's first division status.
In the FA Cup final at Stamford Bridge, Tottenham Hotspur beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 with 20-year-old Jimmy Dimmock scoring the winning goal. This victory marked Spurs' second FA Cup final win.
In 1922, Tottenham Hotspur FC achieved a second-place finish against Liverpool in the league final.
In 1925, Tottenham Hotspur's league position was affected when key player Grimsdell broke his leg. The team, which was in first place for a while, dropped down the table due to this setback.
In February 1927, McWilliam left Tottenham Hotspur to join Middlesbrough after the Tottenham board refused his request for a pay increase. His departure marked a significant change in the club's management.
In 1928, Tottenham Hotspur faced relegation to the Second Division after accumulating 38 points. This was a setback for the club in their league performance.
In February 1929, Ted Harper joined Tottenham Hotspur and became a prolific goalscorer. His 36 league goals scored in the 1930-31 season remained a record until 1963.
In 1933, Tottenham Hotspur achieved promotion to Division One as the runners-up of Division Two. This marked a successful comeback for the club in the league.
In 1934, the East Stand of the stadium was completed.
In the 1930s, Tottenham Hotspur failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, reaching that stage three years in a row from 1935 to 1938. Despite their lack of success, the club still attracted large crowds to matches.
The record home attendance at White Hart Lane was 75,038 during a cup tie against Sunderland.
In September 1939, league football was abandoned after Neville Chamberlain declared war. Despite this, matches continued to be arranged and played during World War II, leading to a restructuring of competitions.
In 1940, Tottenham Hotspur won the Regional League South 'C' during the wartime competitions. This victory showcased the team's resilience and adaptability during challenging times.
In 1949, former Spurs player Arthur Rowe was hired as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC. He introduced a new 'push and run' style of play which led to new successes for the team, including bringing them out of relegation and back to the First Division.
In the 1949-50 season, Arthur Rowe guided Tottenham Hotspur back to the First Division after finishing at the top of the Second Division.
In 1951, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. had one of the greatest seasons in their history as the push and run side claimed the Football League Championship for the first time.
Tottenham Hotspur bought an 11-acre training ground at Brookfield Lane in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, which was previously used by Cheshunt F.C. for £35,000 in 1952. The ground had three pitches and a small stadium with a stand for junior team matches.
In 1954, Tottenham signed Danny Blanchflower for a club record fee. Blanchflower went on to become the captain of the team and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award twice during his time at Tottenham.
Due to a stress-induced illness, Arthur Rowe resigned as manager of Tottenham Hotspur in April 1955.
In 1956, Tottenham Hotspur's logo was redesigned with more elements added to it, deviating from the simplistic design approach.
In 1957, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club created their club shield to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The shield represents the environment of the club, featuring Bruce Castle and the seven trees planted by the seven sisters of Tottenham.
Bill Nicholson took over as manager of Tottenham Hotspur in October 1958, becoming the most successful manager in the club's history.
Tottenham's record cup victory was a 13–2 win over Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur achieved the Double in the 1960-61 season by winning both the league title and the FA Cup under manager Bill Nicholson.
Under the guidance of Bill Nicholson, Tottenham Hotspur emerged victorious in the FA Cup in 1962. This win further solidified the club's dominance in English football.
On May 15, 1963, Tottenham won the European Cup Winners' Cup by defeating Atlético Madrid in the final. This victory marked Tottenham as the first British team to win a European trophy, solidifying their place in football history.
In the summer of 1964, John White, a player for Tottenham Hotspur, was tragically killed by lightning on a golf course.
In 1967, Tottenham Hotspur secured their fifth FA Cup victory by defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the final.
Steve Perryman holds the appearance record for Tottenham Hotspur, having played 854 games for the club between 1969 and 1986, making a significant impact on the team.
Under Bill Nicholson's leadership, Tottenham Hotspur secured the League Cup in 1971. This triumph added to the club's silverware collection and highlighted their competitiveness in cup competitions.
In 1972, Tottenham Hotspur, under the management of Bill Nicholson, clinched the inaugural UEFA Cup. This victory marked a significant achievement in European football for the club.
Tottenham Hotspur, guided by Bill Nicholson, triumphed in the League Cup in 1973. This success further solidified the club's reputation as a force to be reckoned with in English football.
Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-4 to Feyenoord in the two-legged final, marking their first final defeat in a major European competition. The Spurs fans rioted in the Dutch stadium, leaving a lasting reputation on the continent.
In 1976, the manager resigned due to various factors including the way transfers were conducted and the performance of big name players. This led to a change in leadership at the club.
Tottenham achieved their record league win with a 9–0 victory against Bristol Rovers in the Second Division.
In 1978, Ricky Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles, members of the 1978 World Cup winning Argentina squad, were transferred to Spurs. This transfer was significant not only due to the players' quality but also because it marked the end of a 50-year ban on foreign players in English football.
In 1980, the Old West Stand was demolished to make way for a new modern structure.
Under the managership of Keith Burkinshaw, Tottenham Hotspur FC won the FA Cup in 1981.
Ricky Villa, along with his teammate from South America, was eager to play in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. After being substituted in the first game, he scored a crucial goal in the replay match, leading Tottenham to a famous victory.
Tottenham Hotspur FC, led by Keith Burkinshaw, secured victory in the FA Cup in 1982.
In 1983, Tottenham Hotspur made history by becoming the first football club to float shares on the London Stock Exchange.
In June 1984, Peter Shreeves took over as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur after succeeding Burkinshaw. This marked a transition in the leadership of the football club.
In 1986, Steve Perryman, a Spurs great who had made 655 league appearances for Tottenham, left the club to join Oxford United.
In 1987, under the management of David Pleat, Tottenham Hotspur reached their eighth FA Cup Final, where they faced Coventry City and lost 3-2 after extra time.
In June 1988, Terry Venables made a significant signing for Tottenham Hotspur by acquiring midfielder Paul Gascoigne from Newcastle for a national record fee of £2 million. This transfer aimed to strengthen the team's midfield.
The East Stand at Tottenham Hotspur FC's White Hart Lane stadium underwent refurbishment in 1989.
Tottenham claimed their final FA Cup victory in 1990.
On April 14, 1991, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Arsenal 3-1 in the unofficial North London Cup, with Gazza scoring a memorable free kick.
In 1992, Tottenham Hotspur became one of the founding members of the new FA Premier League.
In May 1993, Terry Venables was controversially dismissed from the Tottenham board by Alan Sugar, leading to a legal battle. This event marked a turbulent period in the club's management and ownership.
Tottenham Hotspur came under investigation for financial irregularities alleged to have taken place in the 1980s. The club was found guilty of making illegal payments to players, resulting in a fine, points deduction, and FA Cup ban.
Tottenham Hotspur's first team, including players like Jürgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham, played their debut match in the 1994–95 season against Sheffield Wednesday. The team was dubbed the 'Famous Five' and won the match 4–3.
After a series of defeats and a 3–0 loss in the League Cup, Osvaldo Ardiles was dismissed as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. The team was struggling just above the relegation zone at that time.
Tottenham's record defeat was an 8–0 loss to 1. FC Köln in the Intertoto Cup.
In September 1996, Tottenham Hotspur opened the Spurs Lodge training ground on Luxborough Lane, Chigwell in Essex. The training ground and press center were used until 2014.
In 1997, Tottenham Hotspur made a record signing by acquiring Les Ferdinand from Newcastle United for £6 million.
Jürgen Klinsmann returned to Tottenham Hotspur in December on loan. His performance, including scoring four goals in a crucial win against Wimbledon, helped secure the team's survival in the 1997–98 season.
In 1999, Tottenham Hotspur won the League Cup for the third time with a dramatic last-minute goal by Allan Nielsen against Leicester City.
In 2000, Sir Alan Sugar sold his majority shareholding of Tottenham Hotspur to ENIC, an investment company. ENIC then dismissed George Graham as manager and appointed Glenn Hoddle as the new boss, just before an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
In February 2001, Alan Sugar sold the major part of his shareholding in Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to ENIC International Ltd. This transaction marked a shift in ownership and shareholding within the club.
After a poor start to the 2003–04 season and public criticism from players, Glenn Hoddle was sacked as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. David Pleat took over as caretaker manager once again.
In June 2004, Jacques Santini was appointed as the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, with Martin Jol as his assistant and Frank Arnesen as sporting director.
Jacques Santini was hired as the manager but left shortly after.
Martin Jol took over as the manager after Jacques Santini's departure.
In June 2005, Damien Comolli was appointed as the sporting director of Tottenham Hotspur after Frank Arnesen moved to Chelsea.
In the 2006-07 season, Tottenham Hotspur finished fifth in the Premier League for the second year in a row.
In November of the 2007 season, Tottenham Hotspur held the 4th position in the Premier League. However, despite losing to West Ham and dropping to 5th place, they secured the highest Premier League finish, guaranteeing a return to the UEFA Cup next season.
On October 25, 2008, Harry Redknapp was appointed as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, taking over from Juande Ramos.
Tottenham achieved their biggest top-flight victory against Wigan Athletic with a 9–1 win, where Jermain Defoe scored five goals.
Tottenham Hotspur makes a remarkable impact in the Champions League by defeating top teams like Inter Milan and AC Milan, with Gareth Bale shining with outstanding performances, although their run ends in the quarter finals against Real Madrid.
In January 2012, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. confirmed that the club had delisted its shares from the stock market, transitioning into private ownership. This move altered the club's financial structure and ownership model.
In the final match of the 2012-13 season, Gareth Bale scored for Tottenham Hotspur before his transfer to Real Madrid for a then world record fee.
On May 13, 2014, Tim Sherwood was sacked as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur after leading the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
On May 27, 2014, Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract.
Construction of a new stadium adjacent to White Hart Lane was started in 2015, with a seating capacity of 62,062, significantly larger than the old White Hart Lane.
The highest recorded home attendance at Wembley Stadium was 85,512 spectators during the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Tottenham Hotspur played their final match at White Hart Lane, defeating Manchester United 2-1.
Tottenham Hotspur holds the record for attendance in the Premier League, with 83,222 attending the North London derby on 10 February 2018.
The new stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was completed and opened on April 3, 2019. The first game at the stadium was a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, which Tottenham won 2-0.
All football activities were suspended for three months from March to June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gareth Bale rejoined the club on loan from Real Madrid in September 2020.
José Mourinho was dismissed as the coach of Tottenham on April 19, 2021, just before the League Cup final. He was replaced by Ryan Mason for the remainder of the season.
In April 2022, Ryan Mason takes over as the Interim Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur, replacing Jose Mourinho. The team reaches the League Cup Final and finishes seventh in the Premier League, securing qualification for European competition. Fans also return to the stadiums in May.
A strong finish to the 2021/22 season sees Tottenham Hotspur qualify for the Champions League once again in May 2022, securing a prestigious spot in the elite European competition.
In July 2022, Nuno Espirito Santo is appointed as the Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur. However, he departs from the position in November of the same year.