50 Years Supporting Spurs – A Tribute to SpursSince57 (and others)

[Thesoccershrink]

As a testimony to how many unknown hours I spend musing about Spurs, it was while shaving today that something occurred to me. It seemed to have significance and I think it’s important enough to share with all of you. SpursSince57 has been supporting Spurs for fifty years.

I know nothing about SpursSince57 except that his -- it shows the extent of my ignorance that I have to assume that he is indeed a he -- his posts on this site are well-written, considered and always worth reading. I am assuming that he has indeed been supporting Spurs since 1957 and does not simply have some surreal obsession with baked beans and their manufacturer. I have some insight into the longevity of loyalty – I am only three years behind SpursSince57’s love affair with Tottenham Hotspur.

Half a century is a long time. It means that when SpursSince57 started supporting our beloved team, mankind was more than ten years from landing a man on the moon and thirty years from the digital era. Fax machines and cell phones were unheard of. The Berlin Wall was far nearer creation than demise. In the Abramovich calendar it was 6 BM, six years before the advent on Earth of the “Special One.” Tom Huddlestone’s mum wasn’t born yet either. It was nine years before England won the World Cup.

If he’s a fairly typical fan SS57 has been watching, thinking, talking, and breathing Spurs for more than 18000 days. On more than 2000 match days he has anticipated the excitement of the game, enjoyed the thrill of victory, suffered the disappointment of defeat. If he is anything like me, Spurs have been there, a reliable and immovable presence, an omnipresent witness to life’s journey. Seasons come and go with the seasons of our lives – childhood, adolescence, maturity. Favorite players come and then fade into memory like the lovers of yesteryear. The mileposts of our lives are intertwined with the boys of White Hart Lane. My first son was born the day Spurs lifted the UEFA cup in 1984.

If Spurs have been important to SS57 then he is just as important to them. He, like the rest of us, is just one man, one supporter. But without him, Spurs would be less. Because each of us, in our loyal commitment, breathes life into the tradition, the history, the very idea of Spurs and keep it alive with our memories of bygone games and glories, our recounting of great games and great players, our undying enthusiasm for this team of ours. Without fans like SS57, Tottenham Hotspur would simply be a few guys kicking a football.

Perhaps some of you have some ideas about how one should celebrate half a century of support and even share them in any responses you might have. I hope that SS57 does indeed celebrate because it is a milestone very worthy of recognition.

So here’s to you SS57 and any others who have supported our team for more than half a century. Thanks for your loyalty and belief. May you continue for another fifty years.

Cheers, mate.
:beer:

[Insomnia]

great post,way to celebrate?win a trophy this season

[idlepete]

If Spurs have been important to SS57 then he is just as important to them. He, like the rest of us, is just one man, one supporter. But without him, Spurs would be less. Because each of us, in our loyal commitment, breathes life into the tradition, the history, the very idea of Spurs and keep it alive with our memories of bygone games and glories, our recounting of great games and great players, our undying enthusiasm for this team of ours. Without fans like SS57, Tottenham Hotspur would simply be a few guys kicking a football.


That's why we'll always be better than Chelski in my eyes... these days it'd make no difference to them if no-one ever turned up to watch them. They only have one fan that matters.

Cheers to SS57 and all the other old bastards on the site. :beer:

[chivers!]

Here's to SS57 - his eyes have seen the glory - and even if you only started following last night, here's to you too.

[mttgary]

A great heart-warming article, I can identify with although Im only an SS48, having started with a few matches in 1959. Watching my first cup final (armed with chicken sandwiches drowned in Epicure Picalilli) at the age of 10 in 1961....my mum was reluctant to let me go alone and stand among 100,000 people, but the milkman (maybe me dad!) persuaded her it was a once in a lifetime chance, that should not be missed! Little did he know that I'd be there twice more that decade, plus a few more league/milk/beer cup finals.

Real highlights were the electric European Cup nights (there was no pulse music in those days) and Alfie Conn almost sitting on the ball in the 'relegation" match against Leeds.

On emigrating to Jerusalem in 1979, I was left straining to hear the sports report results on a transistor radio. Now in 2007, hi-technology enables a group of us meet at my house once or twice a week to watch the games over the internet live...aided by a BARCO projector shining the match onto the whitewashed walls (I knew their was a reason why I foresook the bourgoise wallpapered walls of my London youth).

If we lose, we psychologically say to ourselves, well its only a game and there are far more important things in life...the depression thus lasts only an hour or two.

But if we win, then we're on cloud nine, until the next game!

[TheChosenOne]

Duh ..He started supporting Spurs when he was 57

He is now 67

[IWASTHEREIN61]

I too have been supporting Spurs since 1957 although my support at that time was a bit patchy as I was only 12 years old and had to earn my fares, entrance and cheesecake by working all day Sunday in Chapel Street Market. It never occurred to me that I had been doing this for half a century! I've been a yid since I was a kid and that's the way I'll stay.

[Shepspurs]

I saw my first game in 1958. It was a 5th birthday present.

I obviously remember the double side but my earliest memory of an "electric" atmosphere was when we beat Gornik Zabre in the 1961/62 European Cup.

During the sixties, pre hooligan days, I would go to the library every other week and support the opposition.

My favourite all time player has got to be Glenn Hoddle. In my opinion the most skilful player this country has ever produced. We would turn up early just to watch his skills in the pre match warm up.

I sometimes wince when I see some of the criticisms on SC as I believe that this is the best club/squad/team since at least the mid eighties and possibly the early sixties.

COYS.

[TheChosenOne]

After a lot of investigation and elimination I have finally decided that the first match I saw was 10.10.64 against Arsenal which we won 3-1.
The second wasn't until 24.9.66 against Fulham (4-3)

But being a poor little immigrant with no money I didn't really start to attend regularily until 1970.

[davidmatzdorf]

I sometimes wince when I see some of the criticisms on SC as I believe that this is the best club/squad/team since at least the mid eighties and possibly the early sixties.

What a lot you have said in a short sentence.

[felmonger]

A good read from The soccershrink, and what a nice excuse to reminisce!

Born within a short walk of The Lane, we moved away and I didn't get there to see a match until I was an apprentice at Brimsdown in 1959 so I suppose that makes me an SS47. The only parts of the stadium which are still there from those days are the remaining two pillars supporting the roof of the East stand!

It has been a roller coaster with lots of ups, lots of downs, but a great ride. I've been lucky enough to see great players like Jimmy Greaves, Danny Blachflower, Pat Jennings, Dave Mackay, Glen Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne. However, I suspect none of us will ever see again the likes of those two fantastic examples of loyalty and consistency, Garry Mabbut and Steve Perryman.

I hope to see others climb to greatness with Dawson, Lennon and Huddlestone having set their feet on the first rung. And, as an AA-pushing 50, I am reassured by the huge numbers of SS1's, 2's and 3's who are already in place. The SS50's of the future.

[Kingstheman]

Excellent article - I am a SS1990. My dad is a SS195? (I don't know exactly but he supported them pre-double).

Tottenham are the only team - no other matters.

[topaz]

A lovely piece, which has certainly brought a few of us oldies out of the woodwork. One of my great chagrins in life was that I just missed the Double side – the first match I remember seeing on TV was the 1962 Cup win and I didn’t get taken to my first game till the following season. I couldn’t agree more with Shepspurs about the quality of the current squad when measured against all the many incarnations of Spurs we’ve lived through since the 1960s – and also about the sublime genius of Glenn Hoddle. His only rival in my eyes would be the great Jimmy Greaves.

[pierreb]

My first game was in 1959. My mate pretended to be ill and was passed over everybody's heads till he got to sit with the St John's Ambulance men by the side of thepitch. He threw the ball back to Dave Mackay when it went out!! Bastard! I love this team. For me Dave's the man. And I haveeto say under Jol we're going somewhere now for the first time in a very long time.

[CosmicHotspur]

My dad took me to my first game on a Bank Holiday weekend when I was around six years old - that would have been 1954. I don't remember much about that one but did go to games with him now and then until I was twelve years old and was then allowed to go on my own (via the Boys Entrance!) which was when I started going regularly to home games including the reserve matches when the team played away out of London. When I started work in Fleet Street in 1964 I was able to afford to go to away games too.

I watched the Double team triumphs, the European Cup Winners Cup glory and I went to the 62 Cup Final against Burnley with my dad.

Glory Days...

Picture was taken when the ECW Cup was brought home by the team and I got to hold it through the gate - the picture was used in the inside front cover of the "Glory Glory Nights" book. The arrow on the r h side is pointing to me. I was 15 going on 16 then.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4937/europeancupwinnerscupjy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[hongkongyid]

In complete agreement DM, well said Shepspurs, when we get beat I more than likely take a day or two to come back on here because of the people that post complete tosh, it's nigh on embarrassing.

My first game was in '77, first full season where I went home and away to every game was the Clive Allen 49 goals season in '87. I do feel now aswell that something is happening at our beloved club, something special.

What a lot you have said in a short sentence.

[indonesianspurs]

Great article.
I 've only supported Spurs since 1991 so reading the article and the posts here is like learning a bit of the history of our beloved Spurs. I also admire people who stay committed supporting the club for such a long time.



If we lose, we psychologically say to ourselves, well its only a game and there are far more important things in life...the depression thus lasts only an hour or two.


What an optimistic way to accept defeats. Some of us (including me sometimes) would need to learn from you to take defeats better rather than being fickle and criticising the team.
In the short time that I've supported Spurs, I feel that this is the best squad & management ever been assembled and we will win silverwares and titles!!

COYS!!

[RickyVilla]

First time I went to WHL was when I was 5. My mums godfather was a supporter and he took me and my brother to the Spurs shop and bought us badges and scarfs. The scarf was the FA cup winners one from 81. I remember watching the 84 Uefa final on tv and I think my first live match was in 87. It was a bore draw with Sheff Wed.

[khop145]

First watched Spurs match on TV live was in '81 FA Cup Final where Hoddle, Ardiles, Villa, Archibald & co. drew the 1st match 1-1 with ManCity. Missed the replay when we won 3-2, bu has been Spurs supporter ever since. Saw the team defended the FA Cup in '82 and the greatest glory that I have experienced was the UEFA Cup triump in 1984. What a heart-attacking 2-leg final especially Graha Roberts scored the equaliser to force the match went into extra-time and winner was decided by penalties and Tony Parkes became a hero by saving the important kick.

Then 86-87 season was the best season that I've seen so far until now where we finished 3rd with Clive Allen's 49-goal season. Never seen any player score so many in 1 season for any English clubs since. The only set back was we lost in '87 FA Cup to underdog Coventry. For me, the team of 86-87 is the best Spurs team that I have ever seen since I became the supporter in 1981.

After the last FA Cup winner in 1991, have seen a lot of downs to Spurs. Unable to regain the glory days in '80s although have blink moments when Klinsman & Ginola joined us in 2 separate tenants in '90s. However it did not pull back my passion as Spurs supporter as believe Spurs will come back 1 day as big team in English football. I believe the Spurs are in right track now in re-building the team and will become a major force in another few seasons time.

COYS... SS1981

[DC_Boy]

Great piece by the SoccerShrink :-) and some wonderful memories too

My first remembered game of Spurs was the 61 Cup Final on TV and first time at Lane 63, so a bit to go till I'm 50. Though at the time of the early 60s just reading handbooks, programmes, football annuals was all part of the Spurs experience.

To this day I vividly remember a black and white booklet brought out to celebrate JG's coming to Spurs and his debut hat-trick. Happy Days :-)

[BoringOldFan]

I think I've found my spiritual home :grin: .

Actually I'm a youngster compared to some here. My first game was April 24 1971, when I saw them beat Palace 2-0. I suppose I was lucky, because I then went on to see them win the UEFA Cup in 1972 and the League Cup in 1973. And I was also around to enjoy all the early 80s glory.

It's strange to think some on here have never seen Spurs win anything. I hope tat's putto rights this season.

[GDG]

I'm a SS70, thirty seven years and yet I'm a mere whippersnapper in this thread. Good to see so many who have been supporting the team for so long - this site has a reputation elsewhere for being a site full of young lads, this thread seems to be putting that notion firmly to bed.

Now all we need is for all you old 'uns to get posting and writing columns, sharing some of your memories and reminiscences with the younger members of the site - get stuck in, you might even enjoy it.

[Thesoccershrink]

I'm a SS70, thirty seven years and yet I'm a mere whippersnapper in this thread. Good to see so many who have been supporting the team for so long - this site has a reputation elsewhere for being a site full of young lads, this thread seems to be putting that notion firmly to bed.

Now all we need is for all you old 'uns to get posting and writing columns, sharing some of your memories and reminiscences with the younger members of the site - get stuck in, you might even enjoy it.

How about "Great Games of the Past" as recalled by the senior members of this site?

[stevenqoz]

My story has darker overtones. My family are quite evenly split between Spurs and Arsenal. My paternal grandparents actually lived in Avenal Road which backs on to Highbury. My parents split in 1960, and I stayed with mum who was from the Spurs supporting part of the family. I saw the cup finals against Leicester and Burnley on tv at my future step dads house and was hooked on the side of good. In 1963 I went to the Arsenal v Spurs evening match and sat on my uncles shoulders the whole match which we watched from the clock end. One of the first games I saw at Spurs was the same two sides in a reserve game in which Bobby Smith fell over, sat on the ball and burst it:)
It just goes to show how close I came to to being on the red side of the world but god stepped in to save me.

[TheChosenOne]

My story has darker overtones. My family are quite evenly split between Spurs and Arsenal. My paternal grandparents actually lived in Avenal Road which backs on to Highbury. My parents split in 1960, and I stayed with mum who was from the Spurs supporting part of the family. I saw the cup finals against Leicester and Burnley on tv at my future step dads house and was hooked on the side of good. In 1963 I went to the Arsenal v Spurs evening match and sat on my uncles shoulders the whole match which we watched from the clock end. One of the first games I saw at Spurs was the same two sides in a reserve game in which Bobby Smith fell over, sat on the ball and burst it:)
It just goes to show how close I came to to being on the red side of the world but god stepped in to save me.

I know what you mean Steve, when we lived down the round in Stoke Newington, my old man used take walk me up Church Street on those foggy winter evening through Clissold Park and into the Devil's lair, not only for Arsenal games but England under 21's and if I remember Football League representative games a night or two before cup finals. I saw the light and wound my way up the the real North London lights of WHL.

[Thesoccershrink]

Just a footnote for the dying embers of this thread. Thanks to all of those who posted their memories -- I thought it made great reading. CosmicHotspur --loved the photo! In case any of your wondering TheChosenOne's comment about SS57 turns out to be an attempt at humor for which I'll forgive him because of his subsequent post and shared memory. I have it straight from the original source that SS57 has indeed been supporting Spurs for fifty years. He tells me he is writing some articles about Spurs legends, so all look out for those. And I'll keep looking out for any more memories that you chose to post about the great history and tradition of this great club of ours.

[sundancer]

My first game live was in 1962, although I saw the final in 62 on t.v. since then Spurs have been in my heart and mind every day and I have loved every minute, we have been lucky enough to have seen many great players and Glory days and they will be more to come, I believe that under M.J. GLORY GLORY DAYS are on there way back.

[TheChosenOne]

Just a footnote for the dying embers of this thread. Thanks to all of those who posted their memories -- I thought it made great reading. CosmicHotspur --loved the photo! In case any of your wondering TheChosenOne's comment about SS57 turns out to be an attempt at humor for which I'll forgive him because of his subsequent post and shared memory. I have it straight from the original source that SS57 has indeed been supporting Spurs for fifty years. He tells me he is writing some articles about Spurs legends, so all look out for those. And I'll keep looking out for any more memories that you chose to post about the great history and tradition of this great club of ours.

Don't do "attempts" :roll:

Anyhow fair play to the feller. "50 years"
Me sitting at fifty one yrs old only having 43 years must make me a lightweight. However, I will put together something from a game here or there, its about getting the right one down that people might well be interested in though so it may be some time soon.

[Thesoccershrink]

Don't do "attempts" :roll:



I stand corrected.

[Bus-Conductor]

SS72 here (approx 7 years old at that time)

First game wa actually an away game at QPR (Ralph Coates et al) don't rememebr the exact year but still have the prgram somewhere. I think as a South Londoner living in Richmond QPR were my closest option. I'm sure we lost 2-1.

First home game was ManU a season or two later, which I think we also lost 2-1 but the atmosphere was unbelievable. I went in on my own because we had to buy a ticket from a tout and could only afford one. I was a little lad and the blokes whp saw me standing at the back of the old bottom tier of what was the west stand lifted me all the way to the front and sat me above the old glass tunnel where the players came out.

The games a blur but the memory of crowd, noise, atmosphere is still vivid.