White Hart Lane
| White Hart Lane | |
|---|---|
| The Lane | |
 |
|
| Full name | White Hart Lane |
| Location | |
| Built | 1899 |
| Opened | September, 1899 |
| Owner | |
| Tenants | |
| Tottenham Hotspur (1899-present) | |
| Capacity | |
| 36,310 | |
| Dimensions | |
| 110 x 73 yards | |
- For the railway station of the same name, see White Hart Lane railway station.
'White Hart Lane is the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. It is situated in Tottenham, North London. In 2006 minor alterations to the seating configuration increased capacity to 36,310. ( Supporters often refer to the ground as The Lane 'or "WHL").
Tottenham Hotspur moved to White Hart Lane in 1899. Their first game there resulted in a 4-1 home win against Notts County. 5,000 supporters witnessed the victory. Between 1908 and 1972, White Hart Lane was one of very few British football grounds that featured no advertising hoardings at all.
By 1923 the ground was enlarged to accommodate 50,000 covered spectators. The pitch was overlooked by a copper fighting cock (the club mascot) that still keeps an eye on proceedings from the roof of the West Stand. In the 1930s watching football was a tremendously popular pastime, and despite Tottenham's relative mediocrity, 75,038 spectators squeezed into White Hart Lane in March 1938 to see Spurs lose to Sunderland in the FA Cup. 1953 saw the introduction of floodlights, which were renovated again in the 1970s and steadily upgraded with new technology since.
The West Stand was built in the early 1980s and the project was so poorly managed that it was completed late and the cost overruns had severe financial implications for the club. This side of the ground is parallel with Tottenham High Road and is connected to it by Bill Nicholson Way.
The East Stand (on Worcester Avenue) is a three tier structure designed by noted stadium architect Archibald Leitch in the 1930s. Until the 1980s the middle tier was a standing terrace offering very good views of the playing pitch at reasonable admission prices. The banter among home supporters was marked and the entire terrace was nicknamed The Shelf. By 1990 the East Stand had been upgraded to its current condition, but two view-obstructing roof supports betray its true age.
The 1990s saw the completion of the South Stand (on Park Lane) and the introduction of the first Jumbotron video screen, of which there are now two, one above each penalty area. The renovation of the Members' (North) Stand which is reached via Paxton Road was completed in 1998 leaving the ground in its present state. Talks at board level continue over the future of their home, with an increase in capacity essential as home matches continue to sell out. Talk of moving to the future stadiums for the 2012 Olympic Games have been ruled out by the club, but a move to Wembley Stadium is still being considered.[1][2]
Details
Stands
- West Stand - Total: 6,890
- North Stand - Total: 10,086
- East Stand - Total: 10, 691
- South Stand - Total: 8,573
- Total Capacity: 36,310 (total amended as of 2006, minor alterations to the seating configutation increased capacity slightly)
Facts
First match: Tottenham Hotspur 4 Notts County 1
Press seats: 82
Record attendance: 75,038; Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland, FA Cup tie, 5 March 1938
References
- ^ spurs.com Reference source for stadium history.
- ^ Kelso, Paul. "Tottenham weigh up move to Wembley", The Guardian, January 30, 2007.
External links
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Tottenham Hotspur FC
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Premier League
venues, 2007–2008
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| Anfield• Boleyn Ground• City of Manchester Stadium• Craven Cottage•
Emirates Stadium Ewood Park• Fratton Park• Goodison Park• JJB Stadium• Madejski Stadium Old Trafford• Pride Park Stadium• Reebok Stadium• Riverside Stadium• St Andrews St James' Park• Stadium of Light• Stamford Bridge• Villa Park• White Hart Lane |
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