Tottenham Hotspur History: The Story of Spurs

Spurs have a motto, "To dare is to do", and a history full of firsts. They were the first club in the 20th century to win the Double, and the first British club to win a major European trophy. There have been long gaps between trophies as well, and Spurs fans would rather you didn't bring those up. Here's the story of Tottenham Hotspur, from schoolboy cricketers to one of the best stadiums in the world. As always, we're not affiliated with the club.

Founded by schoolboys (1882)

In 1882 a group of schoolboys, members of the Hotspur Cricket Club, formed Hotspur Football Club so they had something to play in winter. The name is usually linked to Sir Henry Percy, "Harry Hotspur", the 14th-century nobleman whose family owned land in the area. He's also why the club's emblem carries a fighting cockerel with spurs. It became Tottenham Hotspur a few years later.

The 1901 FA Cup

Spurs turned professional in 1895 and played in the Southern League. In 1901 they won the FA Cup as a non-league club, beating Sheffield United in a replay. They're still the only non-league club to win the FA Cup since the Football League was formed. In 1899 they had moved to a ground on Tottenham High Road that would become famous as White Hart Lane. They joined the Football League in 1908.

Push and run and the Nicholson glory years

Arthur Rowe's "push and run" side won the club's first league title in 1951, playing quick, short passing football that was ahead of its time. One of Rowe's players, Bill Nicholson, became manager in 1958 and went on to be the most important figure in the club's history.

The 1960–61 Double

Nicholson's team, captained by Danny Blanchflower, with Dave Mackay and John White, won the league and FA Cup in 1960–61. They were the first club to do the Double in the 20th century. They won the FA Cup again in 1962, and Jimmy Greaves arrived that season. He would become the club's record goalscorer for decades.

Europe in 1963

In 1963 Spurs beat Atlético Madrid 5-1 in Rotterdam to win the European Cup Winners' Cup, the first major European trophy won by a British club. Nicholson's teams also won the FA Cup in 1967, the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, and the first UEFA Cup in 1972.

Cup kings of the 1980s and 1990s

Keith Burkinshaw's side, with Glenn Hoddle and the Argentine World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa, won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982. Villa's solo goal in the 1981 replay against Manchester City is a Wembley classic. They won the UEFA Cup again in 1984 on penalties. In 1991, with Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker, they won the FA Cup for an eighth time. Spurs fans like to say the year ending in one is lucky. It's a superstition, not a fact.

The modern era

Spurs won the League Cup in 2008. Under Mauricio Pochettino, with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, they finished second in the Premier League in 2016–17. In 2019 they reached their first Champions League final, losing 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid. Kane became the club's all-time record goalscorer before leaving for Bayern Munich in 2023.

In 2025, under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao, with Brennan Johnson scoring. It was their first major trophy in 17 years, and Son lifted the cup as captain.

From White Hart Lane to the new stadium

White Hart Lane was home for well over a century, famous for its tight, loud atmosphere. The club played its last game there in 2017. While a new ground was built on the same site, Spurs played at Wembley. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium opened in April 2019. It has a huge single-tier South Stand, a retractable pitch that hosts NFL games and concerts, and the micro-brewery bar is a popular pre-match stop. It's one of the most impressive football grounds you'll visit.

Spurs legends

• Bill Nicholson — the manager who built the Double side and won Europe.
• Danny Blanchflower and Dave Mackay — the heartbeat of the 1960–61 team.
• Jimmy Greaves — a goalscoring great of English football.
• Glenn Hoddle — elegant midfielder of the 1980s.
• Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker — stars of the 1991 FA Cup run.
• Ledley King — a commanding defender and one-club man.
• Harry Kane and Son Heung-min — a record-breaking modern partnership.

Spurs timeline

The North London Derby

Spurs' fiercest rivalry is with Arsenal. It started when Arsenal moved to Highbury in 1913, and it got worse after Arsenal's controversial election to the First Division in 1919. Both sets of fans track who finishes above whom each season. Read our pick of the greatest North London Derbies, and the history of Arsenal if you're feeling brave.

A matchday at Tottenham

Get there early. The stadium has plenty of food and drink options inside, and the High Road gets busy well before kick-off. White Hart Lane, Northumberland Park and Seven Sisters are the usual stations, though check rail updates on the day. If you're thinking about a group trip, our Tottenham trips page explains how we work. Tickets and any package are subject to availability and confirmed in writing; we won't promise seats we haven't got.

Fancy seeing it live? Tickets and packages are subject to availability and confirmation in your written quote. We don't arrange flights.