Hotspur Towers 16

As Tuesday marks the anniversary of the Double and White Hart Lane has played such an important role in our successes lets have another look (1) around 'The Lane' over the years. I've collected together some images and provided information where possible. If anyone can shed any further light on any off these or their background please add into the comments. I'm no historian but I've collected some information on our spiritual home. As usual different sources provide conflicting detail.

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We have mentioned previously how The Lane's pitch became a poor surface as the season worn on and the bad weather took its toil. At the end of the 1951/52 season the pitch was dug up and 3,500 tons of the top soil was dumped on Hackney Marshes to make way for 2,000 tons of new top soil and much improved drainage. The top image shows the work underway.

The image on the right is from 1903. The club's handbook from 1900 described the clubs new stadium as the finest in the South. Part of the clubs success after moving from the Northumberland Park ground was that the new pitch at White Hart Lane was ten yards wider than their old pitch. Of course it wasn't 'The Lane' then, early names considered for the new ground included The High St. Ground, Gilpin Park, Percy Park and even Northumberland Park . It would appear that none of these caught the imagination as they were not adopted.

1.1903, From the South End showing the East terracing.

2. From the North in 2012, before Sainsburys was built.

White Hart Lane only became popular after the First World War. I would assume that apart from the local support this was in part due to supporters traveling from London and outside the city both making their way to the railway station of that name.

Various events other than football were held at the ground in those early days to help the club raise funds. I well remember be taught as a young Spurs fan that Military tattoos, rife range competitions and show jumping were held there.

The ground was also hired out to local organizations and Societies for their use, including the temperance society. This must of pleased the brewery.

In various sources competitions such as long distance footballing dribbling races are mentioned. Whilst I expect this was little more than a lap or two of the pitch the idea may have been inspired by an event that was very popular at that time. This was long distance walking marathons which could last up to a week at a time around a circuit.

Other events such as Concerts and Firework displays such as that they were held to celebrate the FA Cup triumph in 1901 would of occurred as described by Phil Sour (2) .

3. 1934 - Archibalds Leitchs drawings for the East Stand.

4. Included this image to show how the West Stand Gable was changed, see top image, this occurred about the same time as the pitch was relayed. This image ?1960's

Another tale I heard as a lad was that there had been plans to host a circus each summer on the ground. However as far as I can find these never occurred.

The record crowd at the Lane is 75,038 (3) this was for an FA Cup game. I've dug out these figures for other home games. Our best league gate is in Division 1, 1951 when 70,882 watched us play Manchester United. The League Cup is V Arsenal from 1968 and is 55,923 and in Europe (4) Benfica 1962 at 64,648.

Phil Sour, records that the average gate for our Second Division triumph in 1949/50 was 54,408 with over one and a half million people attending games at the Lane, (other sources give varying but similar figures). That season 70,305 watched the game V Sunderland. We recorded a 50,000 gate at 15 games that season and four of them topped the 60,000 mark.

We did similar spectacular business in our last foray into the Second Division in 1977/78. When we averaged a home gate of 33,417. Tottenham were easily the best supported team in the divison, and broke several ground records away. Our average home gate was only bettered by six teams in the division above us. 

5. 1931, Showing the North or Edmonton End, now usually called the Paxton Rd. from West Stand.

6. Tottenham High Rd. in 1920. The White Hart Public House and Red House on left.

The roofing at the Edmonton end (image5, above) was erected in the early 1920's.

We have had our share of low gates. The lowest I could find was 500 in 1907 for a Western League game with Bristol Rovers. Which was a pity as we won 10-0. The lowest league game not surprisingly came during World War 1 with a team whose supporters would have difficulty reaching Tottenham. 5,000 are recorded at the Sunderland game in 1914.

Looking at image 7, I can feel myself singing "We hate Nottingham Forest, we hate Liverpool too...."

The FA Cup low came in our victorious season of 1901 in the quarter final with fellow non-league side  Reading and stands at 11,600. The League Cup, in 1986 the game with Barnsley saw only 12,299 attend for a Second Round replay. Whilst in Europe Grasshoppers of Switerzland only attrached 18,105 for the UEFA game in 1973.

In case your wondering the record game with Arsenal at the Lane was 69,821 in 1953.

7. Park Lane End, ?1970's

8. The ground-staff the unsung heroes of the Lane ensuring the surface is as good as possible.

Image 8 - I like this photo, but I did see sometime ago a similar one taken at night which was rather special. If anyone can help with that?

The Lane has been used for various other activities since those early days. In the mid 1990's American football arrived in the shape of the London Monarchs when they played in the NFL European League. Who featured as their goal kicker, our own Clive Allen, striker, coach and now pundit.

Hotspur Towers, (and my other scribbles), will be around during the break, so please do watch the web page or follow on twitter -  @keith16024542

Notes - 1 -Hotspur Towers 5, 13/2/14
2 - Phil Sour, The Official History of Tottenham Hotspur.
3-  Hotspur Towers 8, 3/3/14
4 - Benfica, 18/3/14

Images - Top & 8 - THFC, 1 & 6 - Summerfield, 5- Antique Football, Thanks also - Phil Sour, Bob Goodwin, Summerfield local history group, THFC,

About the author:
Keith Harrison,
Nilgiris, TN
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