Why I support Spurs - despite the frustration!
Adam Midgley wrote to me after yesterday's Everton game, asking for access to the Spurs Odyssey message board. His request was a little more detailed than those I usually receive, and so good that I thought I would share it with you (with Adam's full permission of course!). Thanks Adam!
I am [unfortunately right now] an obsessed season ticket holding Spurs fan. I've hardly missed a home game since I left school and started making my own money about 6 years ago. This year I took the decision to only purchase one season ticket but the last two years I've had two seats (to share with my family).
I had a bad feeling about this season from the moment I realised that Michael Carrick wanted out. Believe me - I'm not one for this sort of thing, but last year I actually had his name on the back of my shirt? Pathetic, I know...
I think he was the best central midfield player we've had for a long time. I travelled to a few friendlies - and there it was, plain to see that the side is lacking something - big time...
I support Spurs basically because of my Grandad. he was a Jewish Holocaust survivor who found himself in North London.
The last day I saw him was when Spurs won the FA Cup in '91. He died of cancer a couple of days later. I remember at half time - we were 1-0 down to Nottingham Forest.
Everything that could have gone wrong - had. My two biggest idols, Gazza and Lineker had let me down. Gazza was stretchered off [never to be the same again] after his horror tackle and Gary had missed a penalty - unthinkable from the England Captain and my own personal hero. I had a huge banner that read 'SPURS FA CUP FINAL 1991' that my brother and I had made. I wrote BAD LUCK and slashed an X right across it.
My Grandad turned to me - as calm as if he already knew we would win and said 'don't worry, we'll pull off some Spurs magic'. I suppose this was the voice of a man who remembered things like Ricky Villa at Wembley but sadly for me I was born too late in 1982. At the time however, I wasn't so sure. Needless to say, we did it. At the parade of the trophy the next day I was caught on film wearing my full Spurs tracksuit. My uncle (whose shoulders I was on) still has the tape.
I'll never forget that experience of winning the cup or knowing my Grandad - I feel the passion for Spurs that I have will always keep us in touch . Sadly tho', since my grandad passed - we haven't shown much magic, at all. We have never repeated that achievement. I'm pretty sure he somehow chose that as his last game. So, I am one of the unlucky generation - bound by the passion but lying through the teeth when they sing 'My eyes have seen the glory of the cups of White Hart Lane'. i've seen one FA cup and one League cup since.
Imagine then, what it was like when after years of pain - season after season of Arsene Wenger induced personal torment. Last year we finally were better than Arsenal. At last. this is it. Micheal Carrick picks up the ball on the half way line at Highbury in the last ever North London derby at the ground. He's past one, two then 3 challenges with only Lehmann to beat. He's passed Lehmann. It's like watching one of the old highlights of Hoddle on the Spurs' greatest goals video, and this is it, the start of a modern chapter of greatness. Carrick hit the side netting.
Stalteri got muscled off the ball and cost us another late goal. we got food poisoning and the course of football history had taken a twist against us - again. That season was the most incredible journey - I didn't miss a kick of a ball. And in the end we lost. Carrick left to play Champs League with the big boys. Arsenal qualified ensuring the progress of their commercial monster. And now look at us.
Where's the new right back? Where's the left winger? Where's Mido? why the *** have we got Davenport? why is it always one step forward and 2 steps back? Why do I keep going? WHY DO I SHELL OUT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS?
SIMPLE, because I love it. it's in the blood. Couldn't stop if I wanted too. If you've actually read this - thanks. After a game like today - which I attended alone. I had some things on my chest.
