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More than 850 people have donated towards a review of the football academy in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield

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A crowdfunded bid to block the building of a new training ground on Green Belt land for Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s team is nearing its £30,000 target.

More than 850 supporters have donated to the cost of seeking a High Court review of Enfield council’s decision to allow Spurs to build a “football academy” for women and girls in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield.

Campaign leaders said the success of the fundraising campaign showed there was “widespread support for saving our beautiful park - both locally and further afield”.

They hope that no development will take place until the court has the chance to review the case.

A spokeswoman for the Guardians of Whitewebbs campaign group said: “The amount raised means we can proceed as long as we are granted a ‘costs cap’, which limits the amount of costs we would have to pay if we lost.

“It's great news that locals can hold Enfield council to account when it comes to fencing off and building on vital green space in our park.

“What has been amazing is that 850 people have made donations, which shows the community is really on our side on this.”

Lawyers acting for the Guardians of Whitewebbs have already submitted a request for a judicial review.

To have a chance of victory, they have to prove that the council misled its own councillors when they granted permission, or that it acted irrationally.

The case will only proceed to a full hearing in open court if a judge decides that the campaigners have an “arguable” case.

“We have faith we can achieve a fair result,” the Guardians spokeswoman said. “The decision to allow a private company to enclose and develop part of this beautiful public park needs to be challenged.

“It's not acceptable for us to lose public parkland to private interests. We are working with a talented team at the Public Interest Law Centre and we will do everything in our power to have the decision overturned.”

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “Enfield Council is confident that proper legal processes and procedures have been followed in the determination of the planning application and will vigorously defend the judicial review.”

It the latest twist in the battle to prevent the construction of the training ground.

Last year, the campaigners failed to overturn the granting of a 25-year lease on the parkland, for which Spurs paid the council £2 million.

With the crowdfunding appeal closing in two days, almost £28,000 had been raised towards the £30,000 “stretch target” to ensure all legal costs of bringing the case are covered.

Enfield council granted Spurs permission for the development in February. Planning consent was ratified in July when Jules Pipe, Sir Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor for planning, declined to intervene.

At the time, a City Hall spokesperson said “while the proposal represents inappropriate development on the green belt, very special circumstances have been demonstrated”.

The plans had been described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” by Spurs striker Bethany England, who said the facilities would allow the club to compete with the top teams in the Women’s Super League – Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City.

But campaigners said there was no reason for Spurs not to allow its women’s squad to use its existing training ground in Enfield that is used by its men’s team.

The development will involve the loss of 40 acres of rewilded grassland and the felling of over 200 trees. The campaign is being backed by organisations including CPRE London, which opposes the sell-off of green spaces to professional sports clubs.

A Spurs spokesperson told the Standard earlier this year: “We are delighted that Enfield Council’s Planning Committee has voted to approve our proposals. This is a special site and one we know extremely well being based next door. Our proposals will secure its future with a green use and ensure it remains an open and inclusive place for local people to enjoy.

“We shall improve local access to nature and habitats, provide new facilities for visitors, community groups, and sports clubs, and put Enfield on the map as a champion of the Women’s and Girls’ game with a best-in-class Academy.

“We should like to thank all those who have engaged with us over the past few years and we shall now work with Enfield Council to conclude the necessary legal agreements. We shall of course continue to keep our local community updated on our next steps.”

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The England international has not played for Spurs since appearing as a late substitute in the 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League in August due to a lingering ankle issue sustained during pre-season.

Solanke’s attempted recovery has proven a slow and frustrating process, with a comeback to training a fortnight ago not leading to the desired return to match action as his pain remained.

Instead, the 28-year-old underwent minor surgery earlier this week in a bid to finally correct the problem, ruling him out of Tuesday’s Champions League draw with Bodo/Glimt in Norway and Saturday’s trip to Leeds in the top-flight.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said they would discover more on a potential new time frame for Solanke’s return after the forthcoming October international break, but that he did not expect him to be sidelined for long.

Frank also defended Spurs’ handling of the injury after being asked if the club had effectively wasted a month of Solanke’s recovery by not electing for surgery earlier.

“I think if you can look from two ways,” Frank said ahead of the 2-2 comeback draw with Bodo/Glimt. “That's the easy answer, but it's not that easy.

“If we knew we could have done the surgery a month ago, we probably would have done it.

“So for me, I'm always like I imagine, ‘oh, it is what it is, we deal from now’. No doubt that the way we dealt with this is because we thought this was the right way because I think in general, no one wants a surgery, no matter how small it is.”

Now Solanke has issued his own update on his protracted injury saga, writing on his Instagram story on Wednesday night that the operation had been a success and that he hoped to return to contention for Spurs “in the very near future”.

“The last few months have been very frustrating as I’ve tried everything possible to try and push through my ankle issue before taking the option of surgery.

“None of this managed to solve the problem, so we had to go ahead with minor surgery which I underwent this morning.

“It was all successful so hopefully I’ll be back on the pitch in the very near future. Thank you for all your love and messages.”

Solanke joined Tottenham from Premier League rivals Bournemouth in a £65million deal in the summer of 2024, going on to score 16 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions so far.

Tough trip: Leeds vs Tottenham

ES Composite

Oli Gent

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham travel to Leeds this weekend hoping to return to winning ways after two consecutive draws in the Premier League.

That record extends to three draws in their last four in all competitions, after Thomas Frank’s side had to come from behind to snatch a point in the Arctic Circle in a 2-2 stalemate against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.

Spurs drew 2-2 with Brighton before being held 1-1 by Wolves, where Joao Palhinha scored a last-minute equaliser at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Leeds, meanwhile, are coming off the back of a win and a draw in their last two outings, beating Wolves 3-1 at Molineux before earning a solid point against Bournemouth.

Daniel Farke’s side sit 12th in the Premier League table, with Spurs in fourth.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Leeds vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 12.30pm BST kick off on Saturday October 4, 2025.

The match will take place at Elland Road.

Where to watch Leeds vs Tottenham

TV channel: You can watch this game live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 11.30am ahead of the 12.30pm kick off.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.

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Live blog: You can follow all the action with Standard Sport’s live blog, including expert insight from Matt Verri.

Leeds vs Tottenham team news

Dominic Solanke is the most high-profile absentee for Spurs after Thomas Frank ruled him out of the north Londoners’ trip to Norway, and it seems as though he won’t travel to Yorkshire either.

The striker is still struggling with an ankle injury that has plagued his start to the campaign.

Elsewhere, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai, and Yves Bissouma are the longer-term absentees, but there could be a boost for Spurs with the return of new striker Randal Kolo Muani from a dead leg.

As for Leeds, they have three injury concerns. First-choice goalkeeper Lucas Perri is out until after the international break with a thigh issue, while wingers Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James are sidelined with calf and ankle injuries respectively.

Leeds vs Tottenham prediction

Even with their injury problems, you would expect Tottenham to take three points here, but they have looked disjointed in attack in recent weeks.

New star signing Xavi Simons hasn’t fully convinced in his first few games as he acclimatises to English football, and he was dropped to the bench for the trip to Norway in midweek.

However, the Dutchman and fellow new recruit Mohammed Kudus were called upon to dig the north Londoners out of the hole they found themselves in in the Arctic Circle.

Leeds are a dangerous opponent - especially at home - and have their own threats, like Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who seems to have hit some form since his arrival from Everton.

Draw, 1-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Leeds wins: 33

Tottenham wins: 41

Draws: 29

Leeds vs Tottenham match odds

Leeds to win: 9/5

Tottenham to win: 8/5

Draw: 5/2

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Thomas Frank has confirmed that Micky van de Ven will be part of Tottenham’s leadership group this season.

The Dutchman captained Spurs for the first time on Tuesday night in the 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt and marked it with a goal, heading in to halve the deficit as the visitors came from two goals down to earn a point in Norway.

Van de Ven took the armband as a result of Cristian Romero missing out, with Frank insisting the decision to leave the Argentine in London was only a “precaution”.

The Spurs boss said at the start of the season that he would name a leadership group at the end of the transfer window, but that decision has been delayed due to other priorities.

Frank has regularly been asked about it in recent press conferences and it was brought up again after the draw with Bodo/Glimt, when the Dane was quizzed on whether Van de Ven being named as captain offered a hint that he would be included.

“Yes, I have made a decision. I haven't told the players yet, and that will be on Thursday. So I made the decision, but it's probably pretty obvious he will be.

“He has impressed me a lot as a player, but also as a communicator on the pitch. And a little bit of show of character. I think he was good today.”

Son is no longer at the club and Maddison is expected to miss most of the season with an ACL injury.

Spurs managed to avoid defeat against Bodo/Glimt but a worrying theme is emerging under Thomas Frank

Action Images via Reuters

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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For the third time in four matches, Thomas Frank emerged for his post-match media duties and spoke on an increasingly familiar theme.

After Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt, Frank praised his side's character and mentality, and emphasised how important it was that they were capable of coming from two-goals down in the Champions League to earn a point.

He had done likewise ten days earlier after the same scoreline against Brighton, and again after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Resilience, though, should be a trait to fall back on, a way to grind out a result when the team are not at their best. It should not be a defining characteristic.

Frank was right to praise his team against Brighton. Against tough opposition they played well, looked more balanced in attack than they have for much of the season and eventually got their reward for taking the game to Brighton.

However, the strength of character to come from behind should not be needed at home to Wolves, a side who went into the match without a Premier League point.

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Joao Palhinha's stoppage-time strike earned Spurs a draw, but up until that stage they had not looked like scoring and it was still a poor result.

Against Bodo/Glimt, Spurs were dreadful on the ball and far too passive off it. They were deservedly 2-0 down and it should have been more.

Tottenham trailed against Bodo/Glimt before completing a comeback

Getty Images

Even after scrapping to earn a draw, it did not feel like this was a result earned by resilience or character. The late equaliser did not come about by a relentless wave of Spurs attacks, but by a Bodo/Glimt own goal out of nothing. Own goals are now Spurs' top scorer this season.

Coming from behind to pick up points is of course a positive but it should not be happening so regularly. More of a pressing concern for Frank should be why his side keep finding themselves in these positions.

"That can be various reasons," Frank offered as an explanation.

"I think against Wolves we had no problem controlling in the beginning. I think we were by far the best team against Wolves in the first half.

"I think Brighton was a different game. I think also we were by far the best team in the first half.

"Today I felt we struggled in the first half. So I think that's the only time we struggled in the three games against a very good Bodo team."

Frank is correct in that against Brighton and Wolves, Spurs had periods in the first half when they were on top and failed to make it count.

Against Bodo/Glimt, there was none of that. Spurs sat too deep, showed their hosts too much respect and it felt only a matter of time until they fell behind.

It was hard not to think that both Spurs and Frank needed to be more proactive.

The first-half approach obviously not work in the opening 45 minutes and yet there were no changes at the break. Instead, only once Spurs did fall behind did Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus get introduced.

The players also waited to be stung into action. After Jens Petter Hauge's opener, Rodrigo Bentancur flicked in a goal two minutes later, but was denied by VAR. Once Hauge made it 2-0, Micky van de Ven pulled one back within a couple of minutes.

It should not take falling behind to show some intent. Spurs are short of players in attack and the midfield balance is lacking, but they are still good enough to be more front-footed against the likes of Wolves and Bodo/Glimt.

Comebacks are fun and galvanising in small doses. They are also unsustainable.

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Spurs and their coach will know they did not deserve to leave northern Norway with a point

Action Images via Reuters

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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The good news for Tottenham is that they have four points from their opening two Champions League matches.

They can be grateful for those, with Thomas Frank’s side doing little to deserve the point they came away from Norway with after a 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt.

On an eventful night, Jens Petter Hauge scored twice after the hosts had already missed a penalty. Rodrigo Bentancur had a goal ruled out by VAR, but Micky van de Ven pulled one back and an 89th-minute own goal from Jostein Gundersen left Spurs somehow flying home with a draw.

Although it is not a bad result, the manner of the performance is worrying, particularly as it continued some of the familiar shortcomings from recent matches.

New challenge: Thomas Frank

Action Images via Reuters

Frank gets it wrong

It was a surprising team selection from Frank, who dropped Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to the bench.

With Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert on the wings, Spurs were evidently set up to be a threat on the counter, presumably with the plan being that Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr would press up and win the ball back.

That happened once early on, when Bergvall drove forward and created for Richarlison, but otherwise it was far too passive from Spurs.

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Bodo/Glimt had more than 60% of the ball and Spurs barely left their half, allowing the hosts to dominate and camp themselves outside the penalty area.

Richarlison joined his team-mates deep in their own territory and so there was no realistic way for them to get up the pitch, as Bodo/Glimt enjoyed wave after wave of attacks. No creativity, no outlet and no threat.

It was no surprise that Spurs looked immediately more threatening when Kudus and Simons were introduced on the hour mark.

Isolated: Richarlison had a hand in the equaliser but did not know much about it

Action Images via Reuters

Spurs have a striker problem

There were decisions to make in defence, in midfield and out wide for Frank when it came to his starting lineup, but Richarlison's name is effectively in permanent marker on the team sheet right now.

Dominic Solanke has an ankle injury and faces a longer spell on the sidelines after surgery, while Randal Kolo Muani is still recovering from a dead leg. With Mathys Tel not in the Champions League squad, Richarlison had to start.

The situation is a major concern for Spurs. Richarlison started the season in superb form and scored twice on the opening weekend but that feels a long time ago.

He now looks leggy and unable to hold the ball up as his side need. Against Bodo/Glimt he had four touches in the first half and five after the break.

Richarlison should have opened the scoring early on after a brilliant cross from Lucas Bergvall, but he failed to sort his feet out in time and the ball just bobbled off him.

The Brazilian could do with a rest - both he and Spurs need other forward options available.

Lacking: Brennan Johnson struggled all game

Action Images via Reuters

Momentum has stalled

A glance at only the results shows that Spurs are now unbeaten in six matches across all competitions.

That, though, feels somewhat misleading, with Spurs increasingly unconvincing rather than going through the gears. They are no longer getting the wins to make up for struggling performances.

They have come from two goals down against Brighton and Bodo/Glimt to earn draws, and scored late on to snatch a point against Wolves, but they are having to work much harder for these results than Frank would like.

A rock-solid defence characterised the early weeks of the season. However, Brighton and Wolves both had moments of success against Spurs and Bodo/Glimt could have scored three or four.

That is putting added pressure on the attack to start delivering more free-flowing, effective performances, yet again here chances in open play were few and far between.

A win over Doncaster is the only victory in the last four matches. There are more and more problems for Frank to solve as another international break looms.

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