As a long serving Tottenham Hotspur Fan, its always good to find out small snippets of history from our great football club.
Many our our greatest moments are captured in the film which proceeds matches and proudly encapsulates the trophy wins and the glorious players who have graced the Lane.
Playing with style and proudly wearing the Lilly White shirt.
What seams like another age, there are other legends that stand out on their own. That have formed the fabric of the club and now more than ever have come to prominence for their unique and fascinating back story.
One such former player is Walter Tull.
The first Black Footballer.
Tottenham Hotspur player and WWI British Army Officer.
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This week we are extremely honored to welcome from the Walter Tull Project – campaigner, author and Spurs fan Phil Vasili…
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The Warm-up:
I’m a failed former semi-pro footballer who didn’t make into full-time pro football. So, I did what I could to stay connected with the game by writing about it – biography of Walter Tull etc – campaigning against racism in football (working for KIO, FURD and FIFA) and scouting, currently for Coventry City FC and formerly for Man Utd and Birmingham City.
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1) As a youngster – who was your Spurs idol?
Jimmy Greaves. He just glided about the pitch and I loved the relationship he had with Alan Gilzean. Alan would flick headers on to Greavsie, telepathically knowing where he was and the master goalscorer would finish the move off with a goal.
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2) Who is your favourite player from the current Squad and why?
Son, because he always plays with a smile on his face and is a real team player. He’s quite happy to be in Harry’s shadow and works his socks off.
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3) From World football – who would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt and why?
Marcus Rashford for both his on and off field activities. He is using his status for the benefit of all those who don’t have a voice and he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
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4) What is your favourite piece of Spurs memorabilia?
My scarf. I’ve had it for years!
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5) Where in the world have you watched Spurs live (other than UK)?
Not had that treat yet!
* HALF TIME HISTORICAL FACT *
Jabez Darnell was Walter Tull’s best buddie at Spurs.
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6) Which former player would you love to see in the current squad?
Jimmy Greaves because with Kane, Son and him as our attacking force we’d be unbeatable.
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7) Most memorable Spurs moment?
My first match at White Hart Lane which coincided with Cliff Jones’ last game. Years later when Cliff was right at the end of his career he joined Southern league Cambridge City, for whom I’d just signed as teenager. My first introduction was standing naked in the changing room after training and in he walked, this god from Spurs and asked me where the manager – Tommy Bickerstaff – was. I also got to know Cliff’s son who also joined the club.
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8) Which player are you most looking forward to watching when fans can safely return to the stadium?
Any young player coming through from the Academy, such as Harvey White.
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9) Name 3 Players/Managers that define the history of Spurs as a football club and why?
Bill Nicholson, Mauricio Pochettino and Ossie Ardiles. All wanted to play beautiful football and expressed the soul of the club which is that football is art more than science: ‘it’s all about the glory’.
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10) All time Spurs XI (any formation)
Jennings, Hughton, Perryman, McKay, Ardiles, Vertonghen, Hoddle, Son, Kane, Greaves.
Social Media Links:
@WTHLP
www.vasili.co.uk