White "Heart" Lane

"Dude, why Tottenham?",asked a friend of mine with an astonished look. And I was compelled to think-Hmmm, why Tottenham?

Okay, it goes something like this. It was the summer of 2006, the World Cup year. I was only 11 and being an Indian child, I grew up watching and playing cricket. Then the World Cup came around and took me completely by storm. Having enjoyed the FIFA World Cup ever so much, I was looking forward to the Barclays Premier League.

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That's when I really wanted to find out what football is and why is it so popular, particularly, the English Premier League.

Being an impressionable boy, and owing to some so-called fans(not referring to those who actually support United in the true sense), I would be influenced to watch Manchester United play. After a few weeks, I asked myself, "What's so great about football? What am I really doing?". I couldn't answer myself then, just when Tottenham came along. That easy on the eye football, those lovely fans, those committed players, those lilywhite shirts, those loud chants(my favourite being-Oh When The Spurs) and that grand stadium, WHITE HART LANE. I did not find the need to answer my questions. They were already taken care of.

It's a shame I never got to watch Berba and Keane play together, but who really stole my heart was Luka Modric. Seeing him was always a delight as he flawlessly glided through players. Soon I found myself playing football for my school, and later for my junior college. I realized my passion for football was growing exponentially. It was Spurs who showed me another dimension of PASSION and HAPPINESS. It has been a treat to watch some of the players grace the pitch at The Lane with their mind blowing football skills. Apart from Modric, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Jan Vertonghen and Aaron Lennon have been players who certainly caught my eye, to name a few.

At home, I instantly turn up the volume when I hear 'Oh When The Spurs' and sing along. The mere thought of it gives me goosebumps. My dream is to go to The Lane, with the India Spurs flag wrapped around my back, with my hands thrown up in the air, and sing this sensational chant. I know for a fact that'll send chills to my spine even in my coffin!

I believe horror movies, adventure sports and supporting Spurs should not be meant for faint hearted people. Supporting Spurs, obviously has never been easy. But it's this one thing I'll always have my entire life to hold on to. It's this one thing my heart would always beat for.

Now, here I am, a part of India Spurs, an official supporters club of Tottenham Hotspur, living my dream and writing for them. I can't thank these two people enough : Suraj Sharma, the chairman and founder of India Spurs to have given so many of us a chance to be a part of the supporters club and my friend, Mahika, who constantly pushes me and motivates me to do things she knows I'm capable of.

And now whenever someone asks me, "Dude, why Tottenham?", I don't find the need to answer him. I just shrug my shoulders and secretly pity him knowing he would never know what this really is. In my heart, I know, it's not just football, it's not just Tottenham Hotspur, it's my LOVE, PASSION and RELIGION.

The future is bright,

The future is Lilywhite.

COYS!

About the Author:
Aman Tukrel, Mumbai
Follow: @aman_thfc

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