Tottenham Hotspur

Live blog: Waterford vs Spurs U18  Tottenham Hotspur

The King was welcomed by our New Zealand supporters for a Q&A session at The Paddington in the city.

Ledley spoke for an hour with presenter and Spurs fan, Chris Chang, to the delight of a venue packed with adoring Lilywhite fans.

Our Club Ambassador, one club man and legendary former defender and captain talked through all aspects of his career in N17, from breaking through under George Graham in 1999 to lifting the League Cup in 2008, leading us into to the Champions League in 2010 and, sadly, the knee issues that forced an early retirement in 2012.

Questions were then opened to the floor - and the floor responded! Ledley was asked about team-mates, managers, characters, trophy wins, toughest opponents - and much more!

Connecting with our fans is a staple of our summer tours - next up in 2026, OzSpurs in Sydney!

Preparations for the 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign ramped up as Martin Ho’s side were put through their paces in the gym before heading out on the grass at our Enfield training base.

Hanna Wijk was also on the grass as she continues to recover from an MCL injury suffered in April, while Jess Naz and Maite Oroz maintained their rehabilitation from an ACL injury.

Check out the latest photos from training in our gallery below…

Having arrived in New Zealand in the early hours of Saturday morning, the squad's first session came in front of our Kiwi fans at Eden Park - the historic home of the All Blacks rugby side.

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In fluctuating conditions in central Auckland, as the wind and rain swirled between spells of sunshine, the players went through a series of drills led by Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi and his staff to the delight of our supporters - who we are set to play in front of for the first time in 50 years on Sunday.

The opposition at Eden Park on Sunday is Auckland FC - the reigning A-League champions - and you can watch the game live on SPURSPLAY.

Find out how to watch Auckland FC vs Spurs

Check out our photos from the training session in Auckland below...

How will we fare against Auckland FC? Predict the score

Jamie Carr’s side have been working hard across the water all week, with preparations for the 2026/27 campaign continuing apace.

Our young travelling party will now meet the League of Ireland outfit’s Under-20 side in a training ground friendly before heading back to London (kick-off 1pm in Cork).

Here's what he had to say...

Andy, what's it like for you coming all this way? Also, how are you feeling after a massive move for you? How are you feeling about things generally?

Andy: “Yeah, good. Obviously, it was a long trip. I got to know my new team-mates probably a bit better. Obviously, with the challenge ahead, I'm excited. It was a new challenge that I needed. Then obviously I had a massive summer ahead of me with the World Cup and things like that, but once that was over, then my full focus was on Tottenham and trying to have a good season with them. So, it's just now about getting fitness, getting ready to play the games and get yourself in the best possible shape, learning the way the manager and the coaches want us to play. Then, we'll all be in a lot better place come the start of the season.”

Obviously, you're used to having a lot of competition, especially at Liverpool. Here, you’ve got Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, Souza - how confident are you of taking your place on the left?

Andy: “You go to big clubs and if you look at all big clubs, you don't have it easy in any position. The club, the manager, the people above are trying to create a squad where there's competition in every position. You don't stay at the top and you don't play for big clubs if you're not ready to compete for positions, if you're not ready to fight for your positions, and that goes for everyone. It goes for everyone in the squad. If more new players come in, if all the new players come in, everyone's going to need to play for their place. For me, that's something I've been used to for the last nine years. It's something that I'll be used to until my career ends. It’s nothing new for me. The quality of player in this squad is very good. If we can just get more out of it then, like the manager said, the last two seasons in the Premier League haven't been up to scratch for Tottenham. They've been down the wrong end of the table. I think everyone's determined to not make that happen this season. As long as everyone's pulling in the same direction, everyone's competing, then I think we've got a squad that can be a lot higher up than where they were.”

Does it feel like a bit of a refresh at Tottenham? That's the word we keep hearing, that they're trying to be something different now…

Andy: “Different, yes, of course. Last season, I think everyone will admit, it was too close for comfort. I think for me, when I've been in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur have always been up the other end of the table, competing and being in the Champions League and being in Europe. For me, that's what the fans expect. That's what the people in the club expect. That's what the manager expects. I also think that's what the players expect as well. So, it's up to us to try and make that happen. It's up to us to try and use this pre-season to build towards that and then hopefully have a lot better Premier League season than we have done in the last two seasons.”

What have you made of Tottenham in the short period you've experienced it?

Andy: “It's been great so far. Everyone is very welcoming, trying to get all the new players settled into the squad as quickly as possible. The lads have been great in the changing room. Everyone came back at different times and things like that, but it's been great. There wasn't much time for training before we left. We all had to do our testing and things like that. We've had a long journey so not too much time on pitch. So, far it's been amazing. All the staff and players have been really welcoming. The fans and things like that online. It's great to be a part of a big club. Like I said, I'm excited for the next few years here. For me, my focus just now is to get up to speed and be ready for the Premier League start. I think that's the same for all of us.”

How much do you know about New Zealand football?

Andy: “Not too much about over here but New Zealand players, there's a few over our way. In Scotland as well, Elijah Just has just got his move. He was excellent for Motherwell last season. We're excited to be here, first team to be here in a while for the Premier League so I'm sure people are excited as well. We look forward to the game tomorrow.”

Here's what he had to say...

What are your thoughts on being here in New Zealand?

Roberto: “We are at the beginning of the pre-season, the most important thing is to play a serious game, for sure, and don't take risks for the injuries, because it was a very long trip. We are at the beginning of the season, we have a lot of players who suffered injuries last season. We have to be serious on the pitch, we have to improve everything we did, but we can't forget that the season will start in 20-25 days, and we are here with our physical condition, our knowledge, our connection with the players. We are happy to be here, because it's an amazing country, amazing experience for us, but we can't forget that we are here not in holiday, but we are here to be better when the Premier League starts.”

What did you make of the welcome?

Roberto: “It's important for us, because we know the culture of New Zealand. It's a great experience. We are looking forward to play tomorrow, to play against the winner of the A League, in front of a lot of people, because I think there will be 40,000 spectators, and we are ready.”

What's the longest you've travelled before to play a match?

Roberto: “It was the longest trip, for sure, but listen, football in this part of the history is like this, no? Because a lot of very important clubs, they go to the pre-season in this type of tournament. We accept to do that, but we can't lose our focus. Our focus is the beginning of the Premier League, to improve the physical condition of the players. The new players, they come inside of our methodology, of our style of play. We have no excuse, but it was a very long trip and we have to manage it.”

You’re playing a club currently without a manager – how do you approach a game like this if you don't know the characteristics of who's leading the team?

Roberto: “Sometimes, you know in football, sometimes it's better if you have not a coach! I don't know, you have to ask the players if he's there or not, but I know they won the last season of the league. For sure, they want to show they are good players. It will be a good game, because we play with the best team we can put together, a lot of young players, for sure, because we have many players who finished the World Cup. We don't take risks about the injuries, but for us it's a serious game, for sure.”

How much is this game almost a trial for some of the younger players?

Roberto: “It's important, you know, because football is, for me, it's important the name, it's important the career, but it's important what I can watch on the game, during the game. We are all at the same place, at the same point, especially for the young players, I want them to play like a normal game. We are here because we want to play well, we want to play seriously. No excuse, not a friendly game, a normal game."

The club has been very decisive in the transfer window - how important has that been to get these players around you quickly in pre-season? Also, what else do you want to have?

Roberto: “First of all, I think it's not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players. I'm very happy, I'm excited to work with the new players, with the old players. I think we are working very well with Johan Lange and Vinai. We are working with a clear idea. We bought players with great experience, like Robbo. I think we need this type of players because we need to increase experience. We have to improve in mentality, we have to be stronger, because in the last two seasons we didn't do what Tottenham has to do. At the end of the transfer market we will make the point to close the transfer market session. But at the moment, I'm very excited.”

You put a lot into the defence and two big midfielders as well. Is it fair to say the attack is where you want more?

Roberto: “Yes, the target now is to complete the attacking positions. We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.”

Lucas Bergvall has been linked with a move away – does his inclusion in the travelling squad tell us something about where his future lies?

Roberto: “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave. I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team. I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai. It's not my business after the decision to leave.”

Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr didn’t come on the trip – it was said they were given an extended break after the World Cup. Is there any kind of insight as to why that was?

Roberto: “No, nothing. Bentancur is a crucial player for us, Pape Sarr the same. I spoke after the World Cup with both players and for every one of them, we take different ways. Bentancur asked me one week more, because he suffered a very tough season. Pape Sarr has a personal problem and he asked me one week more. No problem, nothing more than I said.”

Young players and fringe players have made an impression already - Luca Williams-Barnett got a lot of attraction after his performance the other day. Are you excited with the players that you're seeing?

Roberto: “Yes, I'm used to working with young players. In my career, I gave big time and big space for the young players, but they have to show me they are able to play and they are good players. I never started from the age of the players. For the qualities, yes. For the attitude, yes. For the behaviour, yes, but not ages.

You left Kudus and Kulusevski back at Hotspur Way…

Roberto: “And Vicario. Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London.”

How close are Kudus and Kulusevski to coming back?

Roberto: “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It's a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player. Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He's another important player. After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don't take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”

The winger has been out with a muscle issue since early January – missing our final 23 matches in all competitions last season.

Asked at his first press conference in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, local time, how close Mo was to coming back, Roberto said: “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It's a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.”

Roberto also gave the latest on Guglielmo Vicario and Deki Kulusevski. “Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London,” he said.

“Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He's another important player. After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don't take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”

Appearances: 590

Goals: 1 (1967 Charity Shield)

FA Cup winner 1967, League Cup 1971, 1973, UEFA Cup 1972

Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, 1972/73

PFA Player of the Year, 1975/76

The best goalkeeper in the world in his pomp, third behind Steve Perryman (854) and Gary Mabbutt (611) in our list of all-time appearances with 590 between 1964-1977, Pat added two League Cups (1971, 1973) and the UEFA Cup (1972) to his FA Cup win in 1967. He also scored against Manchester United in the 1967 Charity Shield, was named Football Writers Footballer of the Year in 1973, PFA Player of the Year in 1976 and won a then world record 119 caps for Northern Ireland between 1964-1986. How apt that his last competitive appearance was against Brazil at the World Cup Finals in 1986.

After a spell at Arsenal in 1977, Pat returned briefly in 1985 as he built up to the 1986 World Cup and has been a coach and goalkeeping consultant since 1993...

Pat Jennings

Fact file by former Club Historian, Andy Porter

Born at Newry, County Down on June 12, 1945, Patrick Anthony Jennings is one of a family of eight children, seven boys and one girl.

His first organized football was at the age of 11 for Shamrock Rovers, an under-19 side playing in the local Newry league. He missed out playing in a local cup final as he was deemed to be too short but eventually received a winners medal.

Schooldays employment included working on a milk round and as delivery boy for a grocer. On leaving school at the age of 15 he worked as a bobbin boy at a spinning mill and then for the Haldane & Shiells timber firm in Newry.

Having attended St. Joseph’s - a Gaelic football playing school - Pat resumed his soccer career in 1961 when one of his brothers, Brian – a Northern Ireland Amateur international - persuaded him to join Newry United, the reserve team of Newry Town. Season 1961-62 ended with a winners’ medal in the Irish Junior Cup and the following campaign promotion to the Newry Town side.

Pat made his international debut in a two-legged play off between Northern Ireland Youth and the Republic of Ireland to determine which team would feature in the 1963 European Youth Championships being staged in England. A 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park coupled with a 3-2 victory at Windsor Park saw the north progress.

Come the finals, the Irish won their group with victories over Belgium – 2-1 at Eastbourne – and Czechoslovakia – 1-0 at Woking – along with a 3-3 draw against Sweden at Bromley. Their semi final ended 1-1 against Bulgaria with the Irish successful on drawing of lots. The Final, watched by a 30,500 crowd at Wembley Stadium on April 23, was won 4-0 by England.

Unbeknown to Pat, former Irish international Bill McCracken had been at Bromley and alerted Watford manager Ron Burgess to his prowess. No sooner had he returned home to Newry than he was back again to sign for Watford in a £6,500 deal.

Pat didn’t have long to wait for his Football League debut. His first taste of Third Division football was a 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers, staged at the old White City Stadium on May 13. He made his home debut five days later against Port Vale and was ever-present the following season when Watford finished third behind Coventry City and Crystal Palace.

The 1963-64 season saw Pat represent a Rest of Britain XI – made up of Irish, Scots and Welsh players - against the England Youth team at Wembley and on February 5, 1964 he gained an Under-23 cap in a 3-3 draw with Wales at Windsor Park. The Welsh also provided the opposition for Pat’s Full international debut, a 3-2 win for the Irish at Swansea on April 15, 1964. A fortnight later he featured in a 3-0 home win over Uruguay.

Pat signed for Tottenham on June 9, 1964 for a reported £27,500 fee and made his first division debut in the 2-0 home win over Sheffield United on the opening day of the 1964-65 campaign, August 22. For two years he vied with Bill Brown for the ‘keepers jersey until finally becoming first choice for season 1966-67.

His early years here were spent in local digs, along with another new arrival, Cyril Knowles, at the home of a club landlady Mrs. Elizabeth Galloway.

An FA Cup winners’ medal against Chelsea during May,1967 was followed by a goalscoring start to the next campaign. The occasion was the FA Charity Shield match at Old Trafford on August 12. With just nine minutes gone Pat launched a drop kick upfield which bounced once and flew off the wet turf past his opposite number Alex Stepney. That gave us a 2-0 lead, the match ended in a 3-3 draw.

That Charity Shield appearance is included in a sequence of 172 consecutive matches played by Pat - the third best by any player in our colours - between October, 1966 and January, 1970.

Football League Cup winning tankards were gained in 1971 and 1973 along with an Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners’ Cup medal in 1971 and a UEFA Cup winners medal in 1972. Season 1972-73 saw Pat become the second Spur to collect the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year trophy – following compatriot Danny Blanchflower - thanks in no small part to two penalty saves made in a 1-1 draw at Anfield on March 31. Three years later he was the first Spur to receive the PFA Player’s Player of the Year award.

On October 4, 1975, at Newcastle, Pat made his 419th League appearance in our colours, surpassing the record of another goalkeeping great, Ted Ditchburn, who made a special presentation prior to the Manchester City home game a fortnight later. Named as an MBE in the 1976 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Pat was rewarded with a testimonial match against Arsenal on November 23, 1976, a fixture which was included within the club season ticket for the first time, watched by a crowd numbering 28,694.

Eight years at Highbury yielded three consecutive FA Cup Final appearances but just the one winners medal, in 1979. Pat also featured in his third European final, in the 1980 European Cup Winners Cup. On February 26, 1983, at West Bromwich Albion, he became the first British player to reach 1,000 senior appearances. His Arsenal appearance tally was 237 League outings plus 89 major cup matches. We were the opponents for nine of those games. Arsenal staged his farewell match against us on May 8, 1985 which we again won 3-2.

Pat returned here on non contract terms for season 1985-86 adding nine reserve team appearances to his total of 32 games for our second XI during his first spell. His only senior appearance for us was in a Screen Sport Super Cup match against Liverpool here on January 14. Their neighbours Everton signed Pat as cover for their FA Cup semi final and final but he wasn’t called upon to play.

The 1986 World Cup saw Pat bid farewell on his 41st birthday, against Brazil, having gained a then world record 119 caps. His travels for Northern Ireland, spread over 22 years, saw him face 30 different countries, feature in two World Cups, keep 43 clean sheets and play in 25 different countries.

The final senior match of his career was on July 27, 1986 when Pat captained the Rest of the World versus The Americas in the FIFA/UNICEF charity match at Pasadena, California. Later that year, on December 3, a tribute match was staged at Windsor Park, Belfast between Pat Jennings’ Select and an International XI.

Pat’s aggregate total of 1,098 senior appearances comprises 757 League games, 218 cup matches, 119 Full plus three ‘other’ internationals and his Under-23 cap.

Awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Ulster during July, 1986 Pat also received the OBE in January, 1987. He has served as our Goalkeeping Consultant since July, 1993 and also held a similar post with Northern Ireland during the late 1990’s having previously been on the UEFA Fair Play committee for four years from 1992. In 1999 he received the Papal Knighthood Medal (KSG) for his charitable works. He continues to work with our legends on matchdays.

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