The midwife, nurse, father and teacher of Tottenham Hotspur

[Chinaspur]

Some of you will remember the news about the discovery that Rev. John Ripsher, who pretty much founded Tottenham Hotspur, was discovered to have been buried in a paupers grave in Dover.

I've just read the book written by Peter Lupson whose research made this discovery, Thank God for Football! It's a really interesting read with loads of details about the club's early days. The book looks at 12 clubs which can attribute their beginnings to a church including Tottenham (Rev John Ripsher worked at All Hallows and ran a bible club which most of the first players were in). Other clubs covered include Everton (and it's offspring the rather less illustrious Liverpool!), Aston Villa and Manchester City.

The book has loads of cool quotes about Spurs, and is well worth a read (if some of you can put away your ill feeling towards Christianity - it is responsible for your beloved club!)

 

[JerryGarcia]

Some of you will remember the news about the discovery that Rev. John Ripsher, who pretty much founded Tottenham Hotspur, was discovered to have been buried in a paupers grave in Dover.

I've just read the book written by Peter Lupson whose research made this discovery, Thank God for Football! It's a really interesting read with loads of details about the club's early days. The book looks at 12 clubs which can attribute their beginnings to a church including Tottenham (Rev John Ripsher worked at All Hallows and ran a bible club which most of the first players were in). Other clubs covered include Everton (and it's offspring the rather less illustrious Liverpool!), Aston Villa and Manchester City.

The book has loads of cool quotes about Spurs, and is well worth a read (if some of you can put away your ill feeling towards Christianity - it is responsible for your beloved club!)

Funny how things work out, Spurs have been the number one cause of blasphemy in my house for about 20 years.

 

[JAYSTAR]

Sounds good. Glad we've got a bit of Godly heritage! Pastor Jaystar.

 

[JerryGarcia]

It would be nice to get a song going for him (Rev. John Ripsher) although it probably wouldn't be workable.

 

[Chinaspur]

It would be nice to get a song going for him (Rev. John Ripsher) although it probably wouldn't be workable.

Something to the tune of cleopatra's "comin atcha"...?

 

[JerryGarcia]

Something to the tune of cleopatra's "comin atcha"...?

I don't know who cleopatra are, I assume its a girl band though lol? Whatever song was chosen, it would be too easy to turn in to a Jack the Ripper song. Their names are quite similar and they're both from Victorian London

 

[Chinaspur]

I don't know who cleopatra are, I assume its a girl band though lol? Whatever song was chosen, it would be too easy to turn in to a Jack the Ripper song. Their names are quite similar and they're both from Victorian London

How can you have missed this cultural gem?



Is quite worrying that this was the song that my mind jumped to when reading Rev John Ripsher

 

[SpurSince57]

The club was founded in a room at the old Milford Tavern in Park Lane. The Milford closed down some years ago (sadly, it had become a real dive), but the rather handsome building's still there. Maybe we should petition the club to get a blue plaque put up?

 

[Chinaspur]

The club was founded in a room at the old Milford Tavern in Park Lane. The Milford closed down some years ago (sadly, it had become a real dive), but the rather handsome building's still there. Maybe we should petition the club to get a blue plaque put up?

Where did that information come from? From what I've read the first boys met in unfinished houses on willoughby lane. Then the first meeting when John Ripsher took the club on was at the YMCA.... Did the YMCA become a tavern?

 

[SpurSince57]

Where did that information come from? From what I've read the first boys met in unfinished houses on willoughby lane. Then the first meeting when John Ripsher took the club on was at the YMCA.... Did the YMCA become a tavern?

I must have read it somewhere, because it's obviously stuck in my mind. It may have been the meeting that set up the club as professional, but it definitely played a part in early Spurs history. I'll have to check when I get back to Tottenham.

 

[spud]

The club was founded in a room at the old Milford Tavern in Park Lane. The Milford closed down some years ago (sadly, it had become a real dive), but the rather handsome building's still there. Maybe we should petition the club to get a blue plaque put up?

Excellent idea, SS57.