Micky van de Ven has given a cold response when asked about Tottenham Hotspur’s reputation of being a “banter club” after the Lilywhites got their hands on their first trophy in 17 years.
Since Tottenham won the League Cup in 2008, they have been to four finals and eight semifinals, but could not get over the line, which is why they have been the subject of ridicule and mocking from opposition fans and the media.
In fact, ahead of the Europa League final, many pundits pointed to Tottenham’s recent history as the reason why Man United will win the final.
There was a determination within the Tottenham camp to prove the doubters wrong, with Van de Ven remarking before the final that the players want to get rid of the ‘Spursy’ tag.
Micky van de Ven sends message to Tottenham’s critics after Europa League win
The Dutchman and his teammates managed to deliver what they promised, putting in a dogged and determined display at Bilbao, the kind we have not come to expect from Tottenham Hotspur in finals.
Ange Postecoglou’s men showcased plenty of fight and the sort of winning mentality the club have been accused of lacking.
However, Van de Ven insisted after getting his hands on the trophy that those who disparage Tottenham will continue to do so, insisting that he does not care what others say now that the club have a trophy to celebrate.
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When asked about those who label Spurs a “banter club”, Van de Ven said (via talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham): “Probably, they’ll continue but, I don’t care anymore. We’ve proved them wrong and we’ve won a trophy. So, they can say whatever they want. We’ve lifted a trophy and that is the most important thing for us, for the fans, and also for the club.”
Tottenham send critics a reminder of their rich history
Tottenham have been mocked endlessly for their “empty trophy cabinet” for years, even though it is fuller than most clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
The banter has not been restricted to just the social media world either, having spilt into the real world, with Giorgio Chiellini famously saying “It is the history of the Tottenham” after Juventus knocked out the Lilywhites in the Champions League quarterfinal in 2018 (ESPN).
Tottenham’s official social media admin did not miss an opportunity to give a fitting response to those poking fun at the club and did so by referencing the infamous Chiellini quote.