Tottenham Hotspur

Second-half goals see off Blues in impressive display

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Second-half goals see off Blues in impressive display - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

Eloise Summers-Mee netted a brace and Cruz Fuller-Fagan was on target once again as a stirring second-half performance from our Women’s Under-19s saw us pick up our first win of pre-season against Birmingham City Under-21s on Wednesday afternoon.

Having been unable to capitalise on a strong showing in the first half at Hotspur Way, we eventually broke the deadlock just after the hour mark as Fuller-Fagan’s well-struck effort found the back of the net to make it two goals in as many games for the forward.

With a foothold in the game, we doubled our advantage six minutes later with a composed finish from Eloise Summers-Mee inside the box before the forward, who has stepped up from the Under-16s to the Under-19s for this season, netted her second of the game from the penalty spot after she was fouled inside the box.

While we took control of the first half in glorious conditions at our training complex, we were unable to test the Blues’ goalkeeper in the first period. Mia Endacott, who has been training with the first team in recent days, was a real threat down the left and produced some good moments as her, alongside Rania Oukriss, saw an effort blocked from inside the box in the opening 20 minutes, while the Trialist could only direct her shot into the side-netting in what was arguably our best opportunity of the half.

Sophie Jackson was called into action in the closing stages of the half, getting a strong hand on Day’s shot from the edge of the box to tip it around the post but, following wholesale changes at the break, we took control of proceedings once again after the restart. Poppy Neill struck the underside of the crossbar with a fierce right-footed effort just minutes into the second-half before Summers-Mee should have opened the scoring moments later, but she was unable to bury the ball following a brilliant run from Oukriss to pick out the forward inside the area.

However, our pressure finally prevailed on 62 minutes as Oukriss’ cut-back from the byline fell to Fuller-Fagan just inside the 18-yard box and she directed her first time left-footed strike into the bottom corner via the inside of the post. Six minutes later and we had our second of the game, Oukriss played Summers-Mee behind the backline who then showed composure in the area to slot the ball under the Blues’ keeper.

Oukriss was denied by a superb save on the stretch by their shot stopper as her effort from distance was tipped over the bar but, on 72 minutes, we had our third goal of the afternoon when we were awarded a penalty after Summers-Mee was brought down inside the box. The young forward stepped up to take the spot-kick, firing low into the bottom right corner. Ruby Mace - another player that has stepped up to first team training in pre-season so far - saw a powerful strike from range saved well by the visitors’ shot stopper in the final minutes of encounter as, all in all, it was an impressive display from our youngsters who step up their pre-season preparations with a clash against Leyton Orient on Sunday (10 August) at Cheshunt.

The final interview - in his own words...

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Heung-Min Son | The final interview - in his own words... - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

"It's hard to talk because I don't know where to start...

"I grew up in tough places. I came here… one thing was clear, you know, I wanted to give my all. So, as a kid, when I started football, this was always in my head, because performance-wise, I think it could be ups and downs, ups and downs, but I give it my all. I think you can do it every single time. So, this is me and this is how I train, this is how I learned from my parents.

"I came to north London 10 years ago. I was very nervous, to be honest. Before I joined Spurs, I was very young, and having sessions with some teams in England, and it was quite difficult because I couldn't speak English and it felt like everybody just wasn’t having me, so I didn't have really good memories in the UK, if I'm honest. But when I went to White Hart Lane - obviously it was still White Hart Lane when I joined - when I walked in, everybody just welcomed me to north London. I had a special feeling, but afterwards I had to do the English interview, so I was quite a bit nervous because I couldn’t speak English! I still remember that I just said, ‘I'm happy to be here’, and I was just so excited.

"I made a brave decision because it was the Premier League and Spurs and (hoping) that everything would come together. Obviously, the fear was still there, but I just wanted to make my fear not exist. My dream was to play in the Premier League, you know, and do whatever I could, try to be the best player in the world. That decision was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.

"Obviously, I was not expecting my first year to be amazing, but after the games go on, I think people, players, trusted me more and more, and fans gave me love, and I just wanted to stay as long as possible. I always wanted to give something back to the fans. From this period until now, I get so much love, I'm so grateful. To get love, it’s just not free, you know, everybody has to make a big, big effort, but as soon as the people understood the way I play, I think they loved me.

"The Spurs family, they will remember my name forever. I scored the first goal in the stadium, won a trophy as captain. To win the Europa League, it was something special and spectacular, I think. The way we handled the situation, the circumstances we faced, it was one of the hardest challenges we've faced, so lifting the trophy as captain of this club, it makes you feel like you are special person, you know. That day I still remember, I feel it. The parade was just incredible, and I never forget those moments… the happiest faces I ever seen from the fans, smiling, laughing, even some people were crying. They were just so proud of the boys, it was just something I’ll never ever forget, and I will watch the clips forever.

"I'm very proud of what I achieved for this amazing football club, and I'm very proud, to be honest, what I achieved as an individual, as a collective, I think is something special. You have to earn it, you have to be playing well, you have to be nice on and off the pitch, and you have to be a top footballer and also the top professional, you know, so that's what I dream of, and seeing the Korean fans, so many Korean fans in the stadium, makes me even more proud. I'm not the guy who always taking it, you know, I always wanted something to give back. I get so much love, so I take the love, but I always want to give the happiness and the true love that I had while I'm playing. Seeing Korean fans, also the Spurs fans welcome the Korean fans, makes me very, very happy.

"I'm very lucky that I had amazing mum and dad who were very strict on me. They always said to me, ‘it doesn't matter how good you are as a footballer, you want to be a better person than a footballer’. As I get older, you're obviously facing reality and you always see the younger players coming in. I just want to be a good role model where everybody looks at me and say, ‘look, we have an amazing captain who is also playing good but also being an amazing human being’.

"It's hard to say it, but there is not forever. It was tough, but I gave everything I could, everything I had, and the loyalty, that was also was important, but as I said, for me, it was clear that I wanted to give something back - that was the trophy. I came here as a kid, but leaving as a grown man, that is something special. I’m very grateful to the club and all the staff, all the coaching stuff, all the players I played with and hugely, hugely grateful to everyone, especially the fans."

Sonny's message to Spurs supporters

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
“Spurs will always be in my heart” – Son’s emotional farewell to fans - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

In a heartfelt message filled with emotion, gratitude and love, Heung-Min Son has signed off from Spurs to end an incredible decade in north London.

Directly addressing you, our adoring supporters, the South Korean star shared a tribute after making one of the ‘most difficult’ decisions of his life to depart the Club for MLS side LAFC on Wednesday evening (6 August).

“Well, to all the Spurs fans. I mean, it’s such a hard decision that I will leave the Spurs family. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” said Sonny.

“And, as I said, there’ll be no forever. And I gave [my] all. I know it sounds very surprising. I know it sounds very hard. And, because I gave my all, I feel like I need a new chapter.”

An all-time great, Sonny firmly etched his name into our Club’s history to end the 17-year wait for silverware, captaining the side to victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao. It was his crowning glory and an unforgettable night that brought so much joy to everyone associated with this football club, especially the supporters.

Arriving at 23 years old as a promising attacker from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, the 33-year-old now departs as a Spurs and global icon. Despite his stardom, Sonny’s sense of duty to the badge and humility remains paramount, his words a reminder that even in farewell there is a deep appreciation and love for this club and the fans.

“It was probably one of the hardest decisions I ever made so please don’t be disappointed. I will be disappointed, not seeing you on the pitch,” he continued.

“I will always be in your history books. And Spurs will always be in my heart and Spurs will always be in my family.”

“And as a kid, you welcomed me and as I grew up I’m leaving you but there’s always good timing. I always wanted to leave in a perfect way, [so] that people can think about me in very proud moments and very happy moments. This is the right time to say goodbye.”

Almost 10 years together and countless memorable moments in Lilywhite, his 173 goals place him fifth in our record books, and 454 appearances inside our top 10 of all time. His 127 Premier League goals is the joint-16th highest in the competition's history and is the only Asian player to reach the ‘100 Club’.

Our number seven also went on to claim the Puskas Award in December, 2020, in recognition of his stunning solo strike against Burnley a year earlier before winning the Premier League's Golden Boot in 2021/22, again the first player from Asia to do so.

A modern day great for the Club, it seems fitting that he’ll forever have the moment of scoring the first official goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in front of the South Stand to his name. That strike against Crystal Palace adding to a long list of goals in front of our jubilant fanbase as “Nice one, Sonny. Nice one, Son…” frequently reverberated around N17. Precious memories Sonny captured through his iconic frame celebration.

Finishing in true Sonny style, he signed off with love, tears and hope for the future as a modern-day great leaves with a lasting legacy in Lilywhite and a piece of his heart in N17.

“I love you all,” he said, as he wiped away the tears. “Thank you for your amazing support for the 10 years – 10 years is a lot, huh? There was a lot of goals and a lot of good memories.

“Don’t forget, it was one of my hardest decisions. It was a huge honour wearing the Spurs kit. Huge honour playing for you. And, I hope we see each other very, very soon.

“All the best with the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup… I wish you win all these four competitions.

“See you very, very soon. Now we are all crying, but next time when we see each other, I hope everybody is smiling. Thank you so much for your amazing support for 10 years. And, Come On You Spurs!”

Dear Spurs fans... Heung-Min Son pens a letter to supporters

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Dear Spurs fans... Heung-Min Son pens a letter to supporters - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

Dear Spurs fans,

You're always in my pictures,

Every time I celebrate,

I make a memory of you.

It's our moment.

I make the frame,

So I don't forget.

You welcomed me to north London,

You watched me grow.

Beautiful moments,

The Golden Boot,

The Puskas Award,

You were there.

When I suffered,

You were still there.

You stayed with me,

and I stayed with you.

I never imagined captaining this team,

but I always dreamed that I would win something for you.

We won the Europa League,

and you all deserve it.

Thank you for these years,

Keep every picture.

You were always in the frame.

Thank you so much,

Love,

Sonny,

Watch - Sonny's letter to supporters

Heung-Min Son departs for LAFC

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Heung-Min Son departs for LAFC - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

The Club can confirm the permanent transfer of Heung-Min Son to LAFC.

Sonny, 33, arrived at Tottenham Hotspur a decade ago - in August, 2015 - and has since established himself as one of the Club’s all-time greats. The South Korea international went on to make 454 appearances in Lilywhite, scoring 173 goals, the fifth-highest tally in our history.

Appointed captain in 2023, there have been countless memorable moments for Sonny on the pitch during his decade at the Club. In April, 2019, he etched his name into the history books with the first official goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and later that same season was an integral member of the first Spurs side to reach a Champions League final, scoring important goals in the round of 16 and quarter-final.

Sonny won the FIFA Puskas Award in 2020 for an extraordinary solo goal against Burnley, which saw him dribble the length of the pitch before finding the net. Both a scorer of great goals and a great goalscorer, he added to his personal accolades in 2021/22, receiving the Premier League Golden Boot for his 23-goal return in the division.

During his time at the Club, Sonny also became the highest-scoring Asian player in Premier League history and, in addition to leading South Korea to Asian Games success in 2018, has been named ‘Best Footballer in Asia’ a record nine times.

Sonny’s greatest achievement in our colours came in May, 2025, as he led the Club to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao. By doing so, he wrote his name into Spurs folklore, becoming one of 13 captains in our history to lift a major trophy.

Chairman, Daniel Levy, said: “Sonny is one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous Lilywhite shirt and he has been a joy to watch over the past decade. Not only is he a wonderfully gifted footballer, but he’s also an incredible human being who has touched hearts and inspired people throughout the Club and all over the world.

“The Europa League triumph in Bilbao was a truly magical moment in the Club’s history and Sonny lifting the trophy is a perfect lasting memory from his fantastic decade at Tottenham Hotspur.

“Sonny has given so much to this Club, both on and off the pitch, and for that we are forever grateful. We wish him all the best for the future, and he will always be welcome back at the Club as a beloved and cherished member of our Spurs family.”

Kit Graham: “The group has got me through it”

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Kit Graham: “The group has got me through it” - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

After 12 months away from the pitch, Kit Graham spoke of her excitement to be back on the grass alongside her team-mates.

The vastly experienced midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during last pre-season that saw her ruled out for the entire 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.

One of the longest-serving members in our current squad, who is set to compete in her seventh season at the Club, Kit returned to the grass in March, 2025, to complete her first laps of running and, after a whole summer of working at Hotspur Way, she is now back in full training.

Having spent a number of months alongside the medical staff during her rehabilitation, the 29-year-old was keen to highlight the impact those – and her team-mates – had in helping her during her time on the sidelines.

“It's been tough at times, but the group has definitely got me through it,” she told us. “It's a lonely place to be and if you're not surrounded by good people, then it just makes it 100 times harder so, yeah, I was really lucky to have the girls and the staff supporting me.

“During my rehab, I spent most of my time with the staff because, obviously, the players were in the gym at different times and then out on the pitch, so that's what I mean when I say it can feel really isolating.

“They’ve been amazing as they supported me through a really horrible injury. The second one as well, so I knew kind of what to expect, but the support that I got was overwhelming really.

“I've been in all summer, trying to push myself, get myself to a point where I could start pre-season with the team, which I've done.

“It’s taking me a little while to get used to being in a big group again, but I'm enjoying it. It can only get easier and better. I'm looking forward to pushing on and getting back out there playing.”

Approaching our third week of pre-season under new Head Coach Martin Ho, who joined us from SK Brann in June, Kit revealed how it has gone so far and one thing she is actually getting used to.

“It’s been good,” she added. “It’s fresh start for us all, with a new manager coming in, we're learning his style of play while we’re getting used to playing with everyone again, so it has been nice.

“One thing that has been strange, it's been nearly a year since I've done my injury and we had players come in after that, so I've known people nearly a year now but I've actually never trained with them or played with them.

“So, it's been nice to get out on the pitch and also form new relationships with players that I've known for a long time and never actually played with.”

The countdown is on until our opening game of the 2025/26 WSL campaign – our home clash against West Ham United on Sunday 7 September (12pm UK), tickets available to buy – and Kit is excited to get going once again.

“I can't wait,” she added. “It feels like forever, honestly. I think it has been three months less than what I waited the first time with my ACL injury.

“I was out for 15 months for the first one and I'm not even at 12 months yet, but it feels like longer, I don't know why. It’s been a long time coming and I'm excited to help the team and start the season strong.”

Mark Falco's late, late strike to sink Bayern Munich on our way to UEFA Cup glory in 1984

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Spurs stories | Mark Falco's late, late strike to sink Bayern Munich on our way to UEFA Cup glory in 1984 - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

There are always moments and players who make their mark in the Club's history books on the way to European glory.

Terry Dyson had the game of his life as we beat Atletico Madrid 5-1 the UEFA Cup Winners Cup Final and made history in 1963; Alan Mullery came back from a loan at Fulham to score in the semi-final - against AC Milan in the San Siro - and final as we won the UEFA Cup in 1972, where Martin Chivers hit his rocket in the first leg against Wolves; Graham Roberts' late equaliser and Tony Parks' penalty heroics in our dramatic 1984 UEFA Cup victory against Anderlecht and as well as Brennan Johnson's winner, no-one will forget Micky van de Ven's air-time clearance off the line in our UEFA Europa League final against Bayern Munich in May.

That's just the finals. The journeys to these finals are punctuated by moments crucial to the destination. One of those moments fell to one of our own, Mark Falco, against Bayern Munich on our way to glory in 1984...

The story

Revenge was sweet for Mark and his team-mates as his dramatic late goal secured a 2-0 win and 2-1 aggregate victory against the German giants - and continued a journey that would lead to UEFA Cup glory at the Lane six months later.

A year earlier, we’d fallen to a 5-2 aggregate defeat against the same team in the Cup Winners’ Cup, Bayern putting us to the sword 4-1 in a foggy second leg at the Olympic Stadium.

This time around, we played the away leg first and a strong display back in Munich looked set to be rewarded with a 0-0 draw only for Michael Rummenigge – brother of German legend Karl-Heinz, who also played in both legs – to fire home the winner on 85 minutes.

Glenn Hoddle was the star of the second leg, typically pulling the strings from central midfield and setting up Falco for an early strike that beat legendary Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff only to rattle the upright. Hoddle, Steve Perryman, Steve Archibald and Gary Stevens all went close before Archibald provided the breakthrough from close range on 50 minutes.

We continued to press and then came Falco’s moment, latching onto Hoddle’s magnificent reverse pass and sliding past Pfaff from the narrowest of angles to send us through with only four minutes remaining.

Mark's memories

UEFA Cup winner, 1984 - scored in the penalty shoot-out

“We were 1-0 down from the first leg so to come back and beat a team of that quality 2-0 at White Hart Lane was something special. They were packed full of internationals.

“You always knew that when Glenn Hoddle was on the ball, there was a good chance of the pass finding you. I remember this one coming over my shoulder and making the right connection with my left foot. It was a narrow angle and I could really only score by going across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

“There were only about five minutes left and they were stunned, the Germans. I don’t think they could believe it. They’d beaten us the season before. It was huge for us and we went on to win the trophy.

“We had some great nights in Europe. We played in the all-white kit, under floodlights, the fans were always unbelievable, special memories, especially the UEFA Cup Final that season. We played some top continental teams and it was great to be part of it.”

Under-21s suffer narrow loss at Enfield Town

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image
Under-21s suffer narrow loss at Enfield Town - Tottenham Hotspur
Description

Enfield Town capitalised on their second-half pressure to edge out our Under-21s on Tuesday night.

In a well-contested pre-season friendly at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, just down the road from our Training Centre, we deservedly made a breakthrough via captain Reiss Russell-Denny in the run-up to half-time after Lamar Reynolds had given the hosts the lead.

But with wholesale changes made at the break, we found ourselves on the back foot at times in the second period and paid the price just beyond the hour mark when one of Town's trialist players restored his side's advantage. Reiss Elliott-Parris saw a late attempt cleared virtually off the line by defender Ethan Cann in the closing moments, but in truth we struggled to impact the game enough in the final third and it remained 2-1 to our near neighbours.

A healthy crowd packed into the ground as usual for this popular pre-season fixture, which has become a tradition in recent years, and in the first half those in attendance witnessed youngster Luca Williams-Barnett produce a bright performance, often driving into space and playing some clever passes out into the wide areas. After Reynolds blasted wastefully wide for Town early on, it was Williams-Barnett who set up Oli Irow to poke a shot just past the post under pressure for us, but we came unstuck with a long ball down the pitch mid-way through the first period as Tommy Wood flicked a header on for Reynolds, who slotted beyond Sam Archer one-on-one to put his side in front.

Williams-Barnett again threatened, getting to the near post on the left and knocking a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but unluckily for us there was nobody in position to convert. Nevertheless, we persisted with our attacking play and levelled five minutes before the interval when Russell-Denny picked the pocket of Ruaridh Donaldson, ran through and fired routinely past goalkeeper Rhys Forster to equalise.

Williams-Barnett and fellow Under-18s attacker Tynan Thompson were the only players to stay on for the second half as coach Wayne Burnett made nine substitutions at the break, but within seconds of the restart we were in trouble as Town substitute Harry Ludovica was brought down in the box and won a penalty. The same player stepped up to take it, but smashed it against the crossbar.

We weathered the hosts' pressure in the next phase of the game but struggled to impose ourselves at the other end, Elliott-Parris' header from Dan Batty's right-wing cross flying wide of the near post as we conjured up a rare attempt at goal. Seconds later, though, with 61 minutes on the clock, we fell behind once more after a fine solo effort from Town's trialist.

We almost grabbed another equaliser 12 minutes from time when Batty caused problems for substitute goalkeeper Adi Connolly, who was committed in the middle of the box, but when Elliott-Parris latched onto the loose ball and fired towards the empty net, Cann made a vital block to keep the hosts in front. Bayley Brown nearly added a third for Enfield Town in the closing stages but, even in defeat, there were some individual plus points for us on the night, with the new Premier League 2 season looming large.