How was it
for you?
In three
years Tottenham Hotspur football stadium has played in three different ‘home’
stadiums. WHL, Wembley and now The Tottenham stadium. Four if you want to
include the DK Dons stadium.
So, what
was it like going from one home to another and then another, our final resting
place?
We were at
White Hart Lane for just under 118 years, I must admit here that I haven’t been
going to that ground for that long (not because of disloyalty or anything like
that), but because of the simple reason my age wouldn’t stretch that far back,
close, but not entirely. I was 61 years out, I am afraid (or maybe I shouldn’t
be ‘afraid,’ as it probably means I can wallow in the new stadium for a bit
longer). Anyway, I am digressing.
Since my
time, I’ve seen so many wonders at the old ground, and many wonders even before
my time at the Lane (FA Cups’, League title etc.), but in my time I’ve seen us
win the double, trophies galore, European conquests and much more. I started
off standing at different locations at the Lane, stood on the famous Shelf,
became a Spurs Member and then a season ticket holder. All in the space of 58
years.
WHL was a
home away from home. I made friends there and have some fantastic memories of
that wonderful stadium. Of course, there was sadness as well, such as being
relegated to Division 2. I saw us go from Division One to Premier league
football, I saw us go into near bankruptcy, survive and rebuild. Do I miss WHL?
You bet, but do I regret us moving on? No. White Hart Lane had gone beyond its
sell-by-date. Our stadium wasn’t fit for the modern era. An era that has seen
hospitality lounges, Boxes, rich folks coming aboard with all their lolly, fans
become less poorer than those that went before them, season ticket applications
hitting the roof and English Premier football turning into a global billion-pound
industry. No, it wasn’t fit for purpose. But whoever graced that beautiful
stadium will take a chunk of it fixed in their memories. What we got in its
place was a magnificent 21st century stadium and fit for purpose.
At the
beginning of the season 2017/18, we moved to Wembley for what was supposed to
be a year. Many fans weren’t happy, some accepted and others couldn’t give a
fig. Even though I couldn’t wait to move to our new ground, I accepted Wembley
as a temporary measure, and to be fair, it was nearer for me to travel than the
Lane. And my attitude was that it will take as long as it takes.
When I was in
the last season at White Hart Lane, I had a simple choice, to become a season
ticket holder at the new stadium or go upmarket and become a Premium/
hospitality Ticket holder. Slightly dearer than a season ticket, but there were
perks. Such as one price covered all home matches (season ticket holders’
tickets’ only included home matches, cup matches were extra), free programmes
and food, with access to top restaurants. Plus hospitality areas for one to
rest before a game and afterwards. The deciding factor was my age and wanting
comfort. So I become a Premium member (and never regretted it).
I found the
facilities at Wembley ok and of course the Premium staff excellent in their handling
of our concerns. Always there when needed or we wanted help. Even though the
Premium staff were excellent, the Wembley staff didn’t have that connection
with us, empathy even (it wasn’t our real home, and it felt like it). Wembley
had bigger fish to fry (understandable really). I found the Stewards treating
us like aliens and the security the same. But the hospitality lounge did what
it said on the tin. When the final whistle came for us to leave and go back
‘home,’ we certainly didn’t shed a tear, but no doubt we’ll take some memories
back with us, after all, Wembley had become part of our history now.
Now comes
the piece de resistance, what we Spurs fans have been waiting for. The Phoenix
rising from the ashes, a stadium fit for purpose, a stadium for the 21st
century and beyond. And that finally happened on the 3 April 2019. It has been
etched into my memory, and what a night and beginning it was. OK, let us be
honest, it wasn’t mine or many others first trip to the new stadium. Mine
started before Christmas when I, along with others, were invited to visit the new
stadium to have a look around and get a gander at our seats and the hospitality
area. And what a sight it was (it made your mouth water). But even that wasn’t
it. No, there were two friendlies before the 3rd April. Spurs
youngsters’ played at the new stadium and a bit later on we had Spurs old boys
against Inter Milan’s stiffs. Both were excitable and grand occasions. Both
were test runs for the opening of the stadium. And the facilities, excellent.
Couldn’t have wished for more.
That
magical date finally arrived and we were all excited and exhilarated at the
prospect of finally and irrefutably going home.
And we
weren't let down, off or on the field. We beat Palace 2-0, on a fun fare driven
kaleidoscopic bonanza night. As for the hospitality, it was the tops. The
staff, Premium/ Hospitality staff and catering staff, were top notch. Of
course, there were a few teasing problems, but expected really.
I arrived 3
hours before to take in the atmosphere, but then again I always arrive early
(my day starts at Tottenham as early as feasible). It ended with an hour stay
(with added cakes and drinks thrown in) and then a short walk to White Hart
Lane station and from there, an hour and a forty minutes drive to home.
As for the
security and Stewards, all part of the Tottenham family and all tried to make
our way through security and checks as pleasant and painless as possible.
Was it all
worth it? You bet it was, and there is more to come. Now they’ve got it right
with the stadium, our next big task will be to see our team catapult from our
fourth-placed position into a trophy and Premium League title-winning, aspirational
one. Easy really! Aren’t you all glad that you are a Spurs supporters, and
those that are not… it is never too late.
Now 2018/19
season is over, we just have to bide our time and watch the clock tick by until
we finally again grace our home away from home. It really can’t get any better
than that.
Our first
match is at the beginning of this up-and-coming season will be a friendly
against Inter Milan, and of course, I shall be there.
By Glenn
Renshaw
Comments
Post a Comment