Glory; Glory Lane: The Extraordinary History of Tottenham Hotspur's Home for 118 Years

I’ve just finished reading “Glory, Glory Lane; the extraordinary history of Tottenham Hotspur’s famous home for 118 years” by Mike Donovan. And what an excellent book it is.This isn’t the first book, nor will it be the last, on the subject, as the further we get away from that very last match at White Hart Lane the more people want to reminiscence about those great and Glories days.We’ve already had “White Hart Lane: The Spurs Glory Years 1899-2017” by Martin Lipton, “The Lane,” by Martin Cloake and Adam Powley and “A Love for the Lane” by Chris Slegg. All excellent books in their own right, and all very different.The “Glory, Glory Lane,” starts with forwards by two of the Spurs great players; Alan Mullery & Terry Dyson, both players I’ve met over the years. Then we have another forward, this time by the author. All the forwards take us down memory lane. By the time we get to page 20 (out of 224 pages), we reminisce about something that will be etched into every true Spurs supporter’s mind, the finale. Titled with the imaginary title “The Finale: Somewhere over the Rainbow”. The Rainbow reference is about a rainbow that magically appeared over the ceremony when the great players (past, present and future) came out for the last time to take a bow. Personally, for me – as I was there – it brought tears to my eyes being reminded of that great event again. We also mustn't forget, that that season we went undefeated at home, and finished second in the Premier League.Then the meat is put on the bones. We start with the history of the ground in chapter 2 (chapter 1 is the “Finale”) titled “The High Road”. We go from the 1880s to 1900s, followed by every decade up until the present, and then look at what the future has for us.The book also has fantastic photos through the ages (B&W and Colour) of old and new players, the ground from its earlier days to the present, showing how it was developed and improved over the years. Photos of celebrities and directors that were part of those magical times, and of course events (like boxing matches) that were performed on our great ground and much more.I first I went to White Hart Lane with my grandfather and my dad to see Spurs play when I was 5 and many years after that with them, then with my friends and then by myself, followed by family. In that time I paid at the gate, become an official member, season ticket holder and now sitting in my temporary Spurs home, at Wembley, watching my beloved Spurs battle for trophies, and as the time ticks by I am ready and waiting to take up my seat in the new stadium. All those memories – 57 years of them – is in this book. And, as I started at the beginning I nostalgically allowed my mind to travel with the author through the years, remembering stories my grandfather had told me, such as him telling me how his father took him to the marshes to watch the early beginnings of what became the world famous Tottenham Hotspur FC.With the demolition of White Hart Lane, this is not the end of the story, but a development into something bigger, special, a new beginning, with new goals to reach, trophies and competitions to conquer.Tottenham Hotspur’s motto is “ Audere est Facere", which all Spurs supporters know means, "To Dare is To Do". And we have certainly Dared over the years, and achieved so much by that philosophy, and will continue to do so as we travel forward together in our new home.

This was a gift, and the recipient was highly delighted. Thank you

This is "the definitive" history of Spurs long and illustrious tenure of White Hart Lane.Written both as a wonderful history and a personal homage to the North London side who have endured some of the greatest moments in football history, alongside some of the bleaker times that all truly great clubs experienceI always enjoy this author, and this tome has surpassed anything he has previously presided over. A marvellous read and truly great pictures.A must for all Spurs fans, young and old.

Not a fan of the club as I watch a non-league football team but one of my pals and his son are both Spurs fans so thought this and the other book I bought would be ideal Christmas presents for them.

Its about the mighty Spurs, what's not to like