Tottenham Hotspur

Our Women’s Under-19s put in a hard-fought performance in their pre-season opener, but Fulham ran out as 3-1 winners at Motspur Park on Wednesday evening.

Competing in the FA Women’s National League and deep into their pre-season programme, the Whites took control of proceedings in the first hour of the game, Meg Mendez converting from the penalty spot in the first half before former Spur Kayleigh Stead and Katie Dungate extended their advantage early in the second period.

Sabiha Jamal’s side grew in the final half an hour as Cruz Fuller-Fagan headed home our first goal of pre-season to cut the deficit before Nife Aramide and Cairo Evea-Antoine, who have stepped up from Under-16s to Under-19s for this summer, forced the hosts' goalkeepeer into action in the closing stages of the game.

All in all, it was a positive outing for our youngsters as all players got valuable minutes while going toe-to-toe with senior opposition.

Jade Bradley thought she had opened the scoring after just three minutes when she headed home from point-blank range, but the midfielder was adjudged to be in an offside position in the build-up. However, that set the early tempo for the hosts and after a creating a number of opportunities - Dungate firing wide in quick succession at the midway point of the first half – they broke the deadlock seven minutes before the break when Mendez slotted home from the penalty spot after Sophie Jackson was penalised for a collision inside the box.

Fulham then doubled their lead five minutes after the restart as Stead, who made her senior debut for us in December, 2022, against Southampton and spent a number of years in our Academy, picked out the bottom corner with a low strike from inside the box. Ruby Gaitely carved out our first opportunity in the contest as her effort from the edge of the box went over the bar, but Fulham added a third in the 56th-minute when Dungate converted from a low cut-back from the left.

Following wholesale changes on the hour mark, including a number of first years earning their first minutes with the Under-19s, our youngsters began to grow into the game and managed to cut the deficit in the 65th-minute as Lucy Barraclough’s cross from the right was headed home by Fuller-Fagan. Heidi Hills saw an effort cleared off the line minutes later before Antoine had the ball in the back of the net but a swift offside flag denied her as we continued to push forward in the final quarter of an hour of the contest.

The hosts’ goalkeeper was called into action in the closing stages, getting down low to her left to deny a header from Antoine before tipping over Aramide’s free-kick from 30 yards out over the bar as we couldn’t find a response in the first game, but there were plenty of positives for our youngsters to take away from the encounter.

The north London derby will break new ground when we face rivals Arsenal outside of the UK for the very first time on Thursday lunchtime, live via SPURSPLAY (kick-off 12.30pm UK).

It's destination Hong Kong as the historic rivalry takes place at the new Kai Tak Sports Park with excitement building ahead of our maiden outing of our summer Tour in Asia.

In what will be Thomas Frank's first taste of the north London derby, our new Head Coach told us yesterday: "I have a great feeling, I think it’s going to be a great challenge, we all know that. It’s a north London derby, the first outside the UK, and we’re looking forward to it in front of all our fans here. We’ll be ready for it.

“I’m quite relaxed about it. The better opponents we can play will help us get up to the level we want to be in three weeks’ time. For me, it’s a fantastic test.”

Coverage is scheduled to start at 12pm as we bring you all the build-up to the NLD on SPURSPLAY - the home of our live and on-demand video content and the streaming platform for all our remaining pre-season matches this summer!

Here is our pre-season schedule...

* Subject to availability in your region

Women's Training Gallery - 29 July  Tottenham Hotspur

We are delighted to announce a partnership with premium pet food brand Frontier Pets to become our Official Pre-Season Tour Sleeve Partner, Official Pet Food Partner and Official Partner of our groundbreaking Supporters’ Club for dog-owners, Tottenham Hotspaw.

Frontier Pets is a purpose-driven leader in sustainable pet nutrition dedicated to revolutionising the pet food industry through responsible sourcing practices and a deep commitment to healthier pets and a healthier planet.

Frontier Pets will feature on our players’ shirts during our tour fixtures against Arsenal and Newcastle in Hong Kong and Korea, respectively. During our time in Asia, the Club will be working with Frontier Pets on bringing engaging content to fans in the region.

Tottenham Hotspur is the Club for animal-lovers and we use our platform to raise awareness of animal welfare and the importance of preserving nature. In 2024, we created the first Official Supporters’ Club for dog-owners, Tottenham Hotspaw, inspired by the Club’s many dog-loving staff, fans and players across both its men’s and women’s teams.

Members receive a discount on the Club’s retail pet range and are able to submit photos of their four-legged friend to be showcased as ‘Dog of the Match’ at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside a rescue dog up for adoption through North London-based charity, All Dogs Matter.

Through the new partnership, Frontier Pets will be supporting a charity fundraising initiative for fans across the world to join in alongside their beloved pets later this summer, as well as a new content series featuring our players and their love of dogs.

Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer, Tottenham Hotspur said: “We are thrilled to welcome Frontier Pets on board for our pre-season tour in Asia. As the Club for animal lovers and the first to ever establish an Official Supporters’ Club for dog-owners, we felt there was a natural alignment with Frontier Pets and their own socially conscious, sustainable approach. We are looking forward to bringing the brand to new audiences through exposure on our match shirts in Hong Kong and Korea, as well as engaging content and initiatives linked to Tottenham Hotspaw.”

Vaughn Taylor, Chairman, Frontier Pets, said: “At Frontier Pets we believe that a better world for pets starts with purpose, compassion and community. Partnering with Tottenham Hotspur - a Club that shares our deep commitment to animal welfare - marks an exciting new chapter for us both. We hope to inspire football fans around the world to feed their pets better with Frontier Pets. We’re proud to stand alongside a Club that not only plays with heart but leads with it.

“Pets are the second largest consumers of factory farmed meat after humans. What we choose to feed them not only affects their wellbeing but also plays a critical role in shaping a more sustainable food system for the planet.”

Frontier Pets’ freeze-dried raw food is designed to support a healthy, active life - simple to order, store and prepare. For more on Frontier Pets and their range of products, visit: www.frontierpets.com.au

Club Ambassador Ledley King explored one of Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks today - the statue of martial arts legend Bruce Lee - during our pre-season tour.

The statue is situated on the Avenue of Stars, located on the Victoria Harbour waterfront, and honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry, modelled on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Bruce Lee is one of the most significant cultural icons in Hong Kong film history and is credited with bringing Hong Kong action film cinema to a global audience. The statue, capturing his infamous ‘Fist of Fury’ stance, was unveiled in November, 2005 on what would have been Lee’s 65th birthday.

The construction of the statue was made possible thanks to fundraising efforts by fans of the star, reflecting both the strong sense of community in Hong Kong and its deep-rooted cultural identity.

After observing the statue Ledley took a stroll along the 440-metre Avenue of Stars to learn more about the legends of the Hong Kong film industry.

Ledley said: “Today’s trip was a fantastic way to experience Hong Kong’s rich cultural history firsthand. I have memories of Bruce Lee growing up, I remember watching his videos and being amazed by his martial arts – that was so exciting for me. He had a big influence on me as a young kid.

“Embracing local culture and history is an important tradition for the Club on overseas tours, and we know how much our Hong Kong-based supporters appreciate seeing us at significant landmarks.”

Hong Kong will host the first north London derby outside of the UK when we lock horns with Arsenal at the Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday (12.30pm UK).

We first played Woolwich Arsenal in the United League all the way back in 1896 at the Manor Ground, Plumstead. The north London derby was born after Arsenal's move to Highbury in 1913 - and it's been one of world football's great rivalries ever since.

We have played the Gunners in friendlies and Testimonial matches - Testimonials for Pat Jennings, John Pratt, Glenn Hoddle and Chris Hughton were all against Arsenal - and faced each other at Wembley on a number of occasions, most recently in March 2019, before we moved into our new stadium, but this will be the first NLD overseas.

We first faced Woolwich Arsenal in the Football League in the old First Division in the 1909/10 season, but the NLD was really born once Arsenal moved into Highbury and the first NLDs in the Football League were in the First Division in the 1920/21 season, when we played in back-to-back weeks - winning 2-1 at home on 15 January, 1921 before a 3-2 loss at Highbury on 22 January, 1921.

It wouldn't be long before that team was tasting glory - they lifted the FA Cup two months later, beating Wolves 1-0 in the final at Stamford Bridge, Jimmy Dimmock on target - the team pictured with the trophy at the top of the page.

Our history in Hong Kong

This is the sixth time our Men's First Team has visited Hong Kong.

The first goes back 40 years to 1985, when we beat Seiko 4-0 as part of a Tour of Hong Kong and Australia. Gary Mabbutt struck twice that day with further goals from Mark Falco and Ally Dick. Ten years later we were back for a Euro-Asia Challenge match against Eastern/Kitchee Select in what was Jurgen Klinsmann’s last match in his first spell for the Club. We were next in Hong Kong in 2009 to face South China in the Panasonic Invitation Cup, a team we played again in 2013 as part of the Barclays Asia Trophy. We were last here in 2017 for a post-season friendly against Kitchee SC.

Results in Hong Kong

Our reserve team, then led by Clive Allen, took part in the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens in 2007. Having progressed in a group including PSV, Sheffield FC and local side Kitchee, we lost out to another Hong Kong team, Happy Valley, in the quarter-finals.

Highlights | Kitchee 1-4 Spurs

Micky van de Ven’s thought process is crystal clear ahead of Thursday’s north London derby in Hong Kong.

“It’s a massive game for us,” he told us after training on Tuesday. “It’s the north London derby. Even if it’s pre-season, it’s a big game. You always want to win the north London derby.”

The defender was in good spirits as he spoke to SPURSPLAY and the wider media ahead of an historic clash at the Kai Tak Stadium. A rivalry first played in the Football League in 1920/21 following Arsenal’s move from Woolwich to Highbury, this will be the first NLD to be played outside of the UK.

The Dutch international recovered from injury - he missed 27 matches - to play a huge part in our UEFA Europa League success last season. Micky started our last seven matches in the competition and together in central defence with Cuti Romero for the final six, we won five, conceded three goals and lifted the trophy.

“I feel fit and ready to go,” he said. “Winning the trophy gives us confidence, of course. It was an unbelievable way to end the season last season. Everyone has the taste now of winning something, so I have the feeling that everyone wants to do it all over again.”

Going back to the NLD, he added: “It’s a massive game and a good test. It’s also really important to get in the minutes in pre-season. It’s good to play against a good opponent like Arsenal to have a good test to go into the Super Cup and Premier League.”

After Arsenal, we face Newcastle United in Korea on Sunday (12noon UK) before our final pre-season match against FC Bayern in Munich on Thursday week (7 August, 5.30pm UK) - all available to watch on SPURSPLAY. Then it’s to Udine, Italy to face PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on 13 August (8pm UK) before our Premier League opener against Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 16 August (3pm UK).

The Women’s Under-19s will kick-off their pre-season programme on Wednesday night as they take on FA Women’s National League side Fulham (7.15pm UK).

Sabiha Jamal, who was appointed as the new Head Coach of the Under-19s, is set to take charge of her first game when our youngsters travel to Motspur Park to face a side that secured promotion to the fourth tier of Women’s football for the upcoming campaign.

Having announced a new intake of first years in the Under-19s squad earlier this week, seven of last year’s Under-16s that have joined the Under-19s this summer could feature in the clash with The Cottagers.

Supporters are welcome to attend the match in person, gates set to open at 6.45pm with entry to Motspur Park free of charge. Additional parking will be available on Blakes Avenue.

We’ll have a full report of the action on Wednesday here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official App.

Open training | 29.07.2025  Tottenham Hotspur

Thomas Frank says it’s ‘a great feeling’ to take on Arsenal as our storied rivalry makes history in Hong Kong on Thursday (12.30pm UK).

The north London derby was first played in the Football League in 1920/21, following Arsenal’s move from Woolwich to Highbury in 1913. Now, over a century on, another first – the first NLD to be played outside the UK - live on SPURSPLAY.

Hong Kong’s all-new Kai Tak Stadium will proudly host the match, and Thomas is certainly relishing his first taste of the famous old fixture.

Follow every step of the Tour via our Summer Tour 2025 Live blog...

Asked on Tuesday how he felt going into the game, Thomas told SPURSPLAY: “I have a great feeling, I think it’s going to be a great challenge, we all know that. It’s a north London derby, the first outside the UK, and we’re looking forward to it in front of all our fans here. We’ll be ready for it.

“I’m quite relaxed about it. The better opponents we can play will help us get up to the level we want to be in three weeks’ time. For me, it’s a fantastic test.”

Thomas has also had an early taste of our fanbase in Asia, with thousands turning up to our open training session at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday evening, local time.

“I think it’s fantastic to see the fans out here, and see how much it means to them, how important we are for them and how big a fanbase we have here,” he added. “It’s fantastic to get that experience.”