During the course of the next few weeks Tottenham will set out on their latest (and 22nd) European campaign.  Last season we recalled the club’s first great adventure when they fell at the semi-final in the European Cup. This autumn we will retrace the events of the following season and the path to victory in Europe as Tottenham became the first British side to win a major European trophy. These days we may be use to the Champions’ League format but in those early days European football was very different. As an overture to this glorious chapter in our history today we turn our attention to those first Europeans, discover how it all started and Tottenham's role in the events.

This weeks Hotspur Towers looks back to when Tottenham met Scottish opposition for the first time. It was against the Heart of Midlothian club, commonly known as Hearts, in 1901. The game was billed as the World Club Championship, although this was not recognized as such by either of the clubs football associations. It did follow on from a series of previous World Club Championship matches, which we will return to. Tottenham were still a Southern League side but had won the FA Cup the season before and clearly wanted to start their new season with a showpiece game with the Scottish Cup holders.  



In the second of these occasional look backs at tales from our history in the FA Cup we look at the game that a future England manager described as the most memorable game he ever played in. There is a brief mention of crowd problems when Spurs played in the competition’s final. There are also some magic moments and we have a cautionary tale for people building stadiums. 

Strangely one of our most dramatic cup ties over the years was played out over two games and both sprang to life in the dying minutes.  It was the Fifth round in 1936/37 and Second Division Tottenham were away to Everton.

This trip to the archives and another collection of images of White Hart Lane over the years. This set from the stadiums history concentrates on the east side of the ground and in particular Archibald Leitch’s East Stand which opened in 1934. This stand and The Lane has featured in a number of previous articles and details of these can be found in the notes section. We also remember some more of the representative games that have been played at the ground.

left - A view from the west from the 1970's.

Last week we looked at opening day fixtures. The start of the new season often goes hand in hand with players debuts.  This time we look at various players debuts, some on that day, others that have occurred during previous seasons.

Every player wants a dream debut, if possible capped with a goal. A number of players in our colours have managed just that over the years. Some have gone on to become legends whilst others have found it is the highlight of their Tottenham careers.

The opening day of the new season approaches and every fan wonders if this season might be ‘ their season.’ Everyone starts level and there is everything to play for. Few of us will need reminding of last season’s opener and in the dying moments our right back is in a one on one with West Ham’s goalie and he rounds him like a top class forward to give us the win. While we wait to see this year’s drama unfold here are a few from yesteryear. Dates are given as the August they fall in and not the season ending date.