- May 21, 2004
- 25,468
- 2,408
- Admin
- #1
"Any player coming to Spurs whether he's a big signing or just a ground staff boy must be dedicated to the game and to the club. He must be prepared to work at his game. He must never be satisfied with his last performance, and he must hate losing." Bill Nicholson.
Now Mr Nicholson's standards were not called in to question too regularly during our heyday period of the early sixties. His work ethos and his call for commitment to the Tottenham Hotspur cause was the very basis of a platform that was the foundation for many years of glory and silverware.
Nearly fifty years later, there can be no doubt that the working man's game has evolved almost beyond recognition. Millions upon millions of pounds are spent regularly to keep pace with the league's elite and to satiate the Club's loyal following.
Players nowadays are discovered from all over the world, drawn to the Premiership golden ticket of wealth beyond imagination for the lucky few.
As we take our seat twenty minutes before kick-off and take in the slick and professional organisation of pre-match warming-up and crowd entertainment, a glance up to The Cockerel overlooking White Hart Lane has one wondering what it would make of the modern day warriors in white.
Tottenham Hotspur is a world wide iconic name, evoking golden memories of successful times a long time ago. The very romance of our Club's is a draw for the next generation of fan, but what about the players?
Do we instil the chest-beating proudness of pulling on the white shirt of Tottenham Hotspur in to each and every one of our signings? Are they aware of our expectations? Of metaphorically dying for the lillywhite cause?
The weekly salaries that are drawn, regardless of whether their name is on the first team sheet or not goes some way to compensate for not playing that week, but deep down how much does it hurt, to not perform that week after a long slog in training?
The manager's door has traditionally had the Ginolas and the Roberts and Mullerys knocking in frustration to request an audience. "Why am I not playing? When can I play?" The urgency and disappointment that still echos in the hallowed halls of White Hart lane.
Of our current encumbents, are they really aware of what is expected of them? Like a new starter at the Company induction course, do they get the Guided Tour and the DVD of the WHL Greatest Hits?
When they walk out for the first time, does their heart beat so hard they think 36000 supporters can hear it booming away under the sponsored shirt? Are they geared up to be prepared to work at their game and to have the instilled mindset of hating to lose?
Do they know what it means to us when they are lucky enough to pull on our shirt?
If they need any confirmation of what is expected, they ought to just step out on to the ground on a quiet weekday and listen to the whispers emanating from the terraces.
Perhaps some wise words from our legendary Captain, Mr Danny Blanchflower.
"The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom."
The last word should go to Mr Bill Nicholson.
"If you don't have to drag yourself off the field exhausted after 90 minutes, you can't claim to have done your best."
Now Mr Nicholson's standards were not called in to question too regularly during our heyday period of the early sixties. His work ethos and his call for commitment to the Tottenham Hotspur cause was the very basis of a platform that was the foundation for many years of glory and silverware.
Nearly fifty years later, there can be no doubt that the working man's game has evolved almost beyond recognition. Millions upon millions of pounds are spent regularly to keep pace with the league's elite and to satiate the Club's loyal following.
Players nowadays are discovered from all over the world, drawn to the Premiership golden ticket of wealth beyond imagination for the lucky few.
As we take our seat twenty minutes before kick-off and take in the slick and professional organisation of pre-match warming-up and crowd entertainment, a glance up to The Cockerel overlooking White Hart Lane has one wondering what it would make of the modern day warriors in white.
Tottenham Hotspur is a world wide iconic name, evoking golden memories of successful times a long time ago. The very romance of our Club's is a draw for the next generation of fan, but what about the players?
Do we instil the chest-beating proudness of pulling on the white shirt of Tottenham Hotspur in to each and every one of our signings? Are they aware of our expectations? Of metaphorically dying for the lillywhite cause?
The weekly salaries that are drawn, regardless of whether their name is on the first team sheet or not goes some way to compensate for not playing that week, but deep down how much does it hurt, to not perform that week after a long slog in training?
The manager's door has traditionally had the Ginolas and the Roberts and Mullerys knocking in frustration to request an audience. "Why am I not playing? When can I play?" The urgency and disappointment that still echos in the hallowed halls of White Hart lane.
Of our current encumbents, are they really aware of what is expected of them? Like a new starter at the Company induction course, do they get the Guided Tour and the DVD of the WHL Greatest Hits?
When they walk out for the first time, does their heart beat so hard they think 36000 supporters can hear it booming away under the sponsored shirt? Are they geared up to be prepared to work at their game and to have the instilled mindset of hating to lose?
Do they know what it means to us when they are lucky enough to pull on our shirt?
If they need any confirmation of what is expected, they ought to just step out on to the ground on a quiet weekday and listen to the whispers emanating from the terraces.
Perhaps some wise words from our legendary Captain, Mr Danny Blanchflower.
"The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom."
The last word should go to Mr Bill Nicholson.
"If you don't have to drag yourself off the field exhausted after 90 minutes, you can't claim to have done your best."
