Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LOVERS’ LANE
It was a party for fans and legends as 118 years of Spurs history ends and a new chapter begins
SOME would have shed a tear, others lingered a bit longer, taking in their surroundings for one last time. But in the end the sadness was replaced by celebration as Tottenham and some of their greatest players bid farewell to White Hart Lane after 118 years. The opposing emotions were understandable on a moving day that ended with a rainbow symbolically appearing over White Hart Lane as Spurs prepare to enter the unknown. They will not have moved far when they get into their new 61,000, state-of-the-art £800million ground next year in what will be the start of an exciting new era. But they are leaving the place they have called home for more than a century and this was the last chance to say goodbye. The demolition of White Hart Lane begins instantly with Spurs handing the keys over to the construction company this morning. However, the memories will never be destroyed and this was one final chance to make some more. Everywhere there were signs that yesterday was different, special and historic. The High Road’s restaurants and pubs have never looked busier, the queues for the souvenir programmes longer than usual and the selfie-takers were out in force, adding to the crowds outside the ground. Never ones to miss a trick, the stall holders whose popups line the route to the Lane had stocked up on ‘I was there’ and ‘Farewell’ memorabilia. But well ahead of kick-off everyone was inside and the Lane was rocking. There was extra passion and feeling in all the chants, cheers and songs, especially those for popular boss Mauricio Pochettino, late, great manager Bill Nicholson and club record goalscorer Jimmy Greaves when their images flashed up on a specially-erected big screen. And the rousing, ‘hairs on the back of your neck’, flag-waving welcome and finish the fans produced was some sight. The flags given to all fans were just one small part of what has been an expertly choreographed farewell. The special edition players’ shirts and crest, chance for season-ticket holders to buy their seat and half-time return of Chas and Dave, whose songs created the backing track to Spurs’ glory days were among countless other nice touches. But the highlight was the return of the 48 legends who have produced the moments at this iconic old ground that will live on forever and written their names into Spurs folklore. A 20-minute pitch invasion that swallowed up Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Co was not part of the script. And once a spinetingling video narrated by Spurs-supporting actor Sir Kenneth Branagh was played and the roll call of legends started to stream on to the pitch that, along with the rain, was quickly forgotten. From Clive Allen to Chris Waddle, out they came in alphabetical order with Ossie Ardilles, Peter Crouch, David Ginola, Glenn Hoddle, Ledley King, Pat Jennings, Robbie Keane and Teddy Sheringham’s appearances sparking the biggest cheers. Paul Gascoigne was among those unable to attend and missed by the fans who chanted his name. Then it was time for Pochettino’s class of 2017, who have produced such a fitting final season at White Hart Lane, to soak up the applause before their lap of honour. When they are next back for a game it will all look very different in this part of north London with chairman Daniel Levy hoping the stadium will be the centre-piece of a transformation project. But nothing can change the role the ground has played in club history and that was marked brilliantly.