always_spurs
28-11-2006, 04:07 AM
Once again it's here, one of football's greatest derbies. We love it, we fear it, and we always await it with the most enormous anticipation. Quite rightly so, it rarely disappoints in terms of explosiveness and excitement. And who knows? This could very well be Our time. But I'll leave that debate to the posts that are no doubt to follow before Saturday's game. Let us wet our appetites with the history and reasons behind this great clash...
The first meeting between us was a friendly on November 11, 1887, when Arsenal were known as Royal Arsenal. The match was abandoned 15 minutes before it was due to end "owing to darkness" with Spurs leading 2-1. The first League match between the clubs was in the First Division, on December 4, 1909; Arsenal won 1-0.
However, the fierce rivalry between the two teams did not begin until World War I. First, in 1913, Arsenal moved from their South London home of Woolwich to Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, just four miles from White Hart Lane, thus becoming our nearest neighbours and thus beginning a natural local rivalry. But this rivalry escalated in 1919 when the First Division was to be expanded by two teams. 19th-placed Chelsea, who would otherwise have been relegated, were allowed to stay. The final place could have been awarded to Tottenham in 20th-place, or Barnsley, who had finished 3rd in the Second Division, but both missed out. Instead it was decided that Arsenal would be promoted, despite them only finishing 5th in Division Two. It has been frequently alleged that Arsenal chairman Sir Henry Norris used underhand dealings in order to bring this about, although nothing has been proven. Tottenham were promoted back into the top flight after taking the Second Division title the next season, and so the fierce rivalry has continued ever since.
As of April 22, 2006, there have been 151 competitive first-class meetings between the two teams since the first league meeting in 1909, of which Arsenal have won 63 and Tottenham 49. The most goals in one game were scored in the closely contested 5-4 Arsenal victory at White Hart Lane on November 13, 2004 (we won't forget that one in a hurry!). The biggest winning margin was 6-0 to Arsenal on March 6, 1935, although Tottenham have twice won 5-0 (December 25, 1911 and April 4, 1983).
Tottenham's record for goals scored against Arsenal is shared by Billy Minter and Bobby Smith, with nine goals each. Arsenal's record is held by Alan Sunderland, with eight. Arsenal's long-time defender David O'Leary holds the record for most North London derbies played (35), while Gary Mabbutt is our corresponding record-holder, with 31.
And there we have it..........I can't wait.
The first meeting between us was a friendly on November 11, 1887, when Arsenal were known as Royal Arsenal. The match was abandoned 15 minutes before it was due to end "owing to darkness" with Spurs leading 2-1. The first League match between the clubs was in the First Division, on December 4, 1909; Arsenal won 1-0.
However, the fierce rivalry between the two teams did not begin until World War I. First, in 1913, Arsenal moved from their South London home of Woolwich to Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, just four miles from White Hart Lane, thus becoming our nearest neighbours and thus beginning a natural local rivalry. But this rivalry escalated in 1919 when the First Division was to be expanded by two teams. 19th-placed Chelsea, who would otherwise have been relegated, were allowed to stay. The final place could have been awarded to Tottenham in 20th-place, or Barnsley, who had finished 3rd in the Second Division, but both missed out. Instead it was decided that Arsenal would be promoted, despite them only finishing 5th in Division Two. It has been frequently alleged that Arsenal chairman Sir Henry Norris used underhand dealings in order to bring this about, although nothing has been proven. Tottenham were promoted back into the top flight after taking the Second Division title the next season, and so the fierce rivalry has continued ever since.
As of April 22, 2006, there have been 151 competitive first-class meetings between the two teams since the first league meeting in 1909, of which Arsenal have won 63 and Tottenham 49. The most goals in one game were scored in the closely contested 5-4 Arsenal victory at White Hart Lane on November 13, 2004 (we won't forget that one in a hurry!). The biggest winning margin was 6-0 to Arsenal on March 6, 1935, although Tottenham have twice won 5-0 (December 25, 1911 and April 4, 1983).
Tottenham's record for goals scored against Arsenal is shared by Billy Minter and Bobby Smith, with nine goals each. Arsenal's record is held by Alan Sunderland, with eight. Arsenal's long-time defender David O'Leary holds the record for most North London derbies played (35), while Gary Mabbutt is our corresponding record-holder, with 31.
And there we have it..........I can't wait.