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Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Under-23s and Academy

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Tottenham Hotspur Academy
Full nameTottenham Hotspur Football Club
Nickname(s)The Lilywhites
Short nameSpurs
GroundHotspur Way, Enfield,
London, England
ChairmanDaniel Levy
ManagerWayne Burnett (Under-23s)
Stuart Lewis (Under-18s)
Simon Davies (Academy)
LeaguePremier League 2
U18 Premier League

The Tottenham Hotspur Academy is the youth system of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The academy was created to train and develop players from the age of eight all the way through to the age of 23. Many of those who have progressed through Tottenham's academy have gone on to sign professional contracts and several have represented their country at full international level.

The reserves in recent times have been known as the Development Squad to reflect the purpose of producing players for the first team. They won one Premier Reserve League South title following the league's formation in 1999 and were runners-up in the inaugural U21 Premier League which took over from 2012, becoming the Professional Development League's Premier League 2 in 2016. In Premier League 2, matches were for the under-23's until the 2022–23 season, since when the competition has been limited to under-21's.

The under-18's take part in the U18 Premier League, also a part of the Professional Development League.

Historical reserve team

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Prior to the formation of the academy, the reserve team played in the Football Combination. This was founded as the London Combination and originally consisted of London-based first teams, with reserve teams taking over in 1919. From 1926, clubs outside of London were admitted and the name of the league changed to the Football Combination. Tottenham's reserves were winners in seasons 1919–20, 1921–22, 1925–26, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1994–95.

In 1999 the FA Premier Reserve League was founded and Tottenham's reserve team moved to that competition, remaining until the end of the 2008–09 season. Tottenham reserves won the FA Premier Reserve League, southern division, in season 2005–06.

Historical youth team

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In 1923, Tottenham entered into an arrangement which saw Tottenham youngsters turn out for Northfleet United in the Kent League and associated cup competitions.[1] Northfleet were Kent League Cup winners in 1923–24,[2] and Kent League Division 1 champions in 1925–26, during which they scored 172 goals in a 36 match season. They won the Kent Senior Cup for five successive seasons between 1923–24 and 1927–28.

Northfleet United joined the Southern League Eastern Section in 1927–28 but left in 1930 and rejoined the Kent League.[3] In 1931, the arrangement between the clubs was upgraded to full nursery team status[1] and this heralded a period during which they scored a minimum of 110 goals in league competition each season. Northfleet were Kent League Division 1 Championship and Kent League Cup double winners in 1931–32 and 1934–35, league champions in 1935–36, and double winners again in 1936–37 (completing a hat-trick as league champions). They were Kent Senior Cup winners in 1937–38, and Kent League Division 1 champions again in 1938–39.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, league competition ceased as did the nursery team arrangement.

Tottenham Hotspur's youth team, for players aged 18 and under and known as Tottenham's 'A' team, was entered into the Eastern Counties League in 1948.[4] They won the League Cup in their first season and the league title and the East Anglian Cup in their second. In 1957–58 they again won both the league and East Anglian Cup and went on to win the League Cup the following season. They won three consecutive league titles in 1959–60, 1960–61 and 1961–62. During their time in the Eastern Counties League the team played at White Hart Lane, as well as at Hoddesdon Town's Lowfield Ground (1950–51), the Hoddesdon Sports Arena (1951–52) and Brookfields Lane in Cheshunt (1952–1963).

In 1963 they moved to the Metropolitan League, winning the League Cup in 1963–64, the League Cup and Professional Cup in 1964–65 and the league itself in 1966–67.[5]

In 1969 the youth team moved to the South East Counties League, winning it in seasons 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1978–79, 1980–81, the five seasons 1985–86 through to 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1994–95.[4] The youth team also won the national FA Youth Cup in 1970, 1974 and 1990. The team first won the South East Counties League Cup in 1985 and followed this with victories in 1986, 1988, 1991 (jointly), 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997.

The youth team's reserves, otherwise known as the juniors or colts and consisting primarily of younger players, also took part in the South East Counties League. The league was originally split into Senior League and Junior League but from season 1985–86 it was Division One for the youth team and Division Two for the juniors.

The FA Premier Youth League was formed in 1997 and expanded in 1998 to be renamed the FA Premier Academy League, and the youth team left the South East Counties League.

The Academy

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The Tottenham Hotspur Academy coaches young footballers from the ages of 8 to 18 involving approximately 150 young players, looked after by 30 full-time and part-time staff. The academy features a network of 35 scouts who are tasked with finding the best local, national and international talent. Whilst under 16, in the Youth development phase, players are coached or play in the evenings and the weekend whilst they are in full-time education. On reaching 16, the best players are offered a place in the U18s Academy on a full-time 2 year Scholarship contract. This provides an academic programme alongside their football commitments. Players will usually progress through first and second years of the professional development phase whereupon on completion, they will be either offered a professional contract or be released. Where a player is borderline or has been held back because of injury there is the option of offering a third year at the academy by exception.

Notable players to come through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy include Harry Kane, Ledley King, Jake Livermore, Ryan Mason, Danny Rose, Andros Townsend, Kyle Walker-Peters and Harry Winks, all of whom have gone on to represent their country at international level.

In 2017 the newly retired and former Tottenham player Scott Parker was appointed in charge of the Under-18s.[6][7] In July 2018, Parker left Tottenham to return to his last club, Fulham, serving as first-team coach.[8] The current Under-18 manager is Stuart Lewis, who was appointed in July 2021[9] to replace Matt Taylor, who had been in place since 2019.[10]

Academy managers have included Colin Murphy,[11][12] Peter Suddaby,[13][12][14] John McDermott[14] and Dean Rastrick.[15][16] The position is currently held by Simon Davies, who moved from head of coaching methodology on 20 June 2023 following Rastrick's departure from the club.[17]

Development squad

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Players who have progressed through the academy and have shown the potential to play at a higher level are offered professional contracts and will then join the Development Squad, the successor to the reserve team. The Development Squad may also be joined by Under-21 players signed from other clubs or free agents who have proved themselves in trials at the club. The purpose of the Development Squad is to produce new players for the First Team though breaking into the senior squad is no easy feat for a young player. As well as playing in Under-21 games players may be loaned out to other clubs in lower leagues or sometimes clubs abroad to give them experience and to aid their development.

Clive Allen became the manager of the reserve team at the beginning of the 2005–06 season. Home games at that time were played at Broadhall Way, the home ground of Stevenage Borough. From the 2007–08 season home matches were played at Leyton Orient's home ground, the Matchroom Stadium. The club announced on 12 June 2009 that for the 2009–10 season it would not be entering a team in the Reserve League. Instead the reserve players would be loaned out for first team experience, and if necessary friendly matches would be arranged as required during the season to test out players returning from injury.[18]

After not participating in the Reserve League for three seasons the club agreed to play in the newly formed Barclays U21 Premiership League from season 2012–13.

In July 2014, former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu was appointed Under-21 Team Coach following a period of part-time work within the academy.[19] On 20 April 2017, Ehiogu went into cardiac arrest after collapsing at Tottenham's training ground and died the following day at the age of 44.[20] Two months later, Tottenham announced that they had appointed former Dagenham & Redbridge manager Wayne Burnett as Ehiogu's successor.[21] Burnett currently has the title of Under-23 manager.[22]

Notable seasons

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2005–06 season

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New manager Clive Allen led the reserve team to their first FA Premier Reserve League South title, staying top of the table from mid-December and losing just three times during the league season. In the Barclays Premiership Reserve League Play-Off, contested by the winners of the Southern and Northern Reserve League titles, Tottenham Reserves lost 2–0 to Manchester United Reserves at Old Trafford.

2012–13 season

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Tottenham Under-21s won Group 2 of the Barclays U21 Premiership League in the first half of the season which qualified them for the Elite Group, which they also won. This put them through to the end of the season knock-out competition where they progressed all the way to the final, eventually losing 3–2 to Manchester United Under-21s.

2014-15 season

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On 6 September 2014, Tottenham Under-18s won the Premier League Under-18s Champions Cup, a two-day event held at Tottenham's training centre. The team, managed by Kieran McKenna, defeated Everton 5-1 then qualified for the final with a 1-1 draw against Spain's Real Madrid. In the final, they triumphed with a 1-0 win over Portugal's Benfica.[23]

2022–23 season

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In May 2023, Tottenham Under-18s won the Under-18 Premier League Cup,[24] adding to the Under-17 version won the previous month.[25] Both teams were managed by Stuart Lewis.

2023–24 season

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The Under-21s, coached by Wayne Burnett, won Premier League 2. The team won their first ten games of the 2023-24 season (including their first seven League games), before losing an EFL Trophy game 1-3 away to the eventual trophy winners League One Peterborough United on 31 October 2023.[26] They ultimately won their first eleven league games[27] and went on to win the league phase of Premier League 2.[28] This qualified them for the play-off section of the competition, where they won the Play-Off Final on 26 May.[29]

In addition, the team finished as losing finalists in the Premier League Cup.[30]

Honours

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Domestic

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European

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  • Eurofoot Tournament
    • Winners (2): 2007, 2011
  • Premier League Champions Cup
    • Winners (1): 2014

International

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Players

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Under-21s

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As of 15 August 2024[31]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
42 FW England ENG Will Lankshear
46 GK England ENG Luca Gunter
48 DF England ENG Alfie Dorrington
49 MF England ENG Tyrese Hall
53 MF England ENG Max Robson
56 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Aaron Maguire
57 MF England ENG Rio Kyerematen
58 DF England ENG Maxwell McKnight
59 DF Jamaica JAM Dante Cassanova
60 FW England ENG Jaden Williams
61 DF England ENG Jahziah Linton
62 DF Wales WAL Will Andiyapan
No. Pos. Nation Player
63 FW England ENG Damola Ajayi
65 MF England ENG Leo Black
70 FW Morocco MAR Yusuf Akhamrich
71 DF Spain ESP Pele Arganese-McDermott
72 DF England ENG Archie Baptiste
73 FW England ENG Oliver Irow
74 DF England ENG Maeson King
76 DF England ENG James Rowswell
— GK Albania ALB Elliot Krasniqi
— DF England ENG Zach Simons
— DF England ENG Tyrell Ashcroft

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
43 FW England ENG Jamie Donley (at Leyton Orient until 30 June 2025)
50 MF England ENG George Abbott (at Notts County until 30 June 2025)
51 MF Scotland SCO Matthew Craig (at Barnsley until 30 June 2025)
54 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Josh Keeley (at Leyton Orient until 30 June 2025)
— GK England ENG Carey Bloedorn (at Aveley until 30 June 2025)

Under-18s

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Second Year Academy Players

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As of 3 July 2024[32]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
47 MF England ENG Mikey Moore
64 MF England ENG Callum Olusesi (professional) [33]
77 GK England ENG Samual Archer
— GK England ENG Charlie Warren
— DF England ENG Timileyin Adekunle
— DF England ENG Theodore Adelusi
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF England ENG Roman Egan-Riley (professional) [34]
— DF England ENG Calum Logan (professional) [35]
— DF England ENG Dante Orr
— MF England ENG Herbie James (professional) [36]
— FW England ENG Ellis Lehane

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

First Year Academy Players

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As of 3 July 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
78 MF England ENG Lucá Williams-Barnett
— GK England ENG Dylan Thompson
— DF England ENG Samal Bangura
— DF England ENG Malachi Hardy
— DF England ENG Elijah Upson
— MF England ENG Jamel Beggs
— MF England ENG Harry Byrne
— MF England ENG Tye Hall
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG Ronny Moncur
— FW England ENG Miracle Adewole
— FW England ENG Reiss Elliott-Parris
— FW England ENG Leon Myrtaj
— FW England ENG Tynan Thompson
— FW Wales WAL George Feeney

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Notable Tottenham Hotspur F.C. youth team players or Academy graduates

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The following list of youth team players or Academy graduates appeared in a competitive first team fixture for Tottenham Hotspur and have been capped in a full international since the Second World War. Players still currently playing for the club are in bold. Other still active players are in italics.

The following list of youth team or Academy players have been capped in a full international since the Second World War but never played in a competitive first team game for Tottenham. Players still currently playing for the club are in bold. Other still active players are in italics.

The following additional list of youth team players or Academy graduates although uncapped in a full international have appeared in 100 or more competitive fixtures for the Tottenham Hotspur first team since the Second World War. Players still currently playing for the club are in bold. Other still active players are in italics.

Academy management and support staff

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Role[37] Name
Academy director Simon Davies
Head of Loans and Pathways Andy Scoulding
Head of Player Development, Under-17 to Under-23 Vacant
Assistant Head of Player Development, Under-17 to Under-23 Nigel Gibbs
Professional Development Phase Coach Paul Bracewell
Head of Academy Football Development Gary Broadhurst
Under-23 Manager Wayne Burnett
Under-18 Manager Stuart Lewis
Pastoral Development, Under-17 to Under-23 Troy Archibald-Henville
Head of Academy Goalkeeping Perry Suckling
Goalkeeping Coach Dean Brill
Goalkeeping Coach Aaron Tillbrook
Academy Coach and College Head Coach Ryan Hall
Academy Coach and Club Ambassador Jermain Defoe[38]
Academy Coach Bradley Allen
Academy Coach Will Antwi
Academy Coach Aaron Cato
Academy Coach Trevor Duberry, JP
Academy Coach Glen Hicks
Academy Coach Connor McEnroe
Academy Coach Joe Staunton
Academy Coach Tony Tillbrook
Head of Academy Physical Development Matt Allen
Academy Fitness Coach Under-18 Chris Riley
Head Coach, Football Development Centre Paul Griffiths[39]
Senior International Development Coach Anton Blackwood
Head of Global Football Development Andy Rogers
Lead Global Development Coach Jamal Rose
Global Development Coach Shaun Harris
Global Development Coach Ryan Hervel
Global Development Coach Shannon Moloney
Global Development Coach Frankie Rogers
Head of Academy Scouting Jack Chapman
Chief International Scout Under-20 Sebastian Taghizadeh
Academy Recruitment Officer Jason Hogg
Academy Head of Education Trevor Webb
Academy Education Assistant Helene Michaels
Academy Administration Manager Luke Godfrey
Player Care Manager Tina Gold
Transport Manager and Welfare Officer Nick Boulli
Academy Kit Manager Tavish Mahandru
Development/Academy Kit Assistant Stanley White

Manager history

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Reserve team manager / Head of development

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The role of Reserve Team Manager was often filled by the club's Assistant Manager.

There was no reserve team during World War 2.

There was no reserve team 2009–2012.

  • 2012–2016 ???
  • England John McDermott (Head of coaching and development 2016–2020)[51] Note 1
  • England Wayne Burnett (Under-23 manager 2017–present)
  • England Ryan Mason (Head of player development Under-17 to Under-23 2020–2021)

Note 1McDermott was already Head of coaching and development but it was not until 2016 that he was put in charge of all teams below the first team, and was therefore the notional reserve team manager.

Under-18 manager / Youth team manager

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Prior to 1969 Tottenham did not have a full-time youth team manager.[52] Jimmy Anderson was in charge of the Northfleet nursery team from 1934 to 1939 and was arguably the Tottenham youth team manager in all but name.[53]
Sometimes the Under-18 manager is referred to as the Under-18 coach.

Academy manager / Academy director

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The titles 'Academy manager' and 'Academy director' seem to be interchangeable.

References

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  1. ^ a b Kent's nursery clubs Archived 6 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 5 May 2009
  2. ^ Kent League Cup Winners Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 April 2014
  3. ^ Northfleet United at the Football Club History Database
  4. ^ a b Blakeman, M (2010) The Official History of the Eastern Counties Football League 1935–2010, Volume II ISBN 978-1-908037-02-2
  5. ^ Metropolitan League Handbook 1968/69
  6. ^ "Scott Parker returns 30 June 2017 – News – tottenhamhotspur.com". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  7. ^ "New Academy coaching staff appointed 29 June 2017 – News – tottenhamhotspur.com". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Parker Appointed". Fulham F.C. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Academy coaching update". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 3 July 2021.
  10. ^ Abbott, Harry (8 July 2019). "Former Swindon Town defender Matt Taylor joins Tottenham Hotspur's coaching staff following retirement as a player". Swindon Advertiser.
  11. ^ "Football: Klinsmann backed by Ferdinand". The Independent. 11 March 1998. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Sporting Digest: Football". The Independent. 16 July 1999. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  13. ^ a b "spurs v brighton notes". mehstg.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Arnesen in Spurs clear-out". Evening Standard. London. 28 April 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Academy coaching update". Tottenham Hotspur. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Academy update – Dean Rastrick departs". Tottenham Hotspur. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Academy update - Simon Davies". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  18. ^ Reserve News THFC website 12 June 2009 Retrieved, 15 August 2009
  19. ^ Under 21s Appointment THFC website, Accessed 25 July 2014
  20. ^ "Ugo Ehiogu 21 April 2017 – News – tottenhamhotspur.com". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  21. ^ "New Academy coaching staff appointed 29 June 2017 – News – tottenhamhotspur.com". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  22. ^ "Tottenham appoint Wayne Burnett and Perry Suckling as academy coaches".
  23. ^ "Under-18s win Champions Cup!". Tottenham Hotspur. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Under-18s make it a League Cup double!". Tottenham Hotspur. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  25. ^ "Under-17s taste glory in Premier League Cup!". Tottenham Hotspur. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Veliz goal not enough as Under-21s suffer first loss". Tottenham Hotspur. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  27. ^ "10-man Under-21s see unbeaten run ended by Toffees". Tottenham Hotspur. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Under-21s secure top spot with excellent win at Fulham". Tottenham Hotspur. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  29. ^ "Lankshear brace fires Under-21s to Premier League 2 play-off final triumph". Tottenham Hotspur. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Cup final heartache for Under-21s". Tottenham Hotspur. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Under 21". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Under 18". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Olusesi signs pro contract". Tottenham Hotspur. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Egan-Riley signs pro contract". Tottenham Hotspur. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Pro contract for Logan". Tottenham Hotspur. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Pro deal for James". Tottenham Hotspur. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Academy Info". Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Jermain Defoe returns". Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  39. ^ "New City College". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. September 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  40. ^ "The Bill Nicholson years - player to manager - 1954-60". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  41. ^ "Looking back at the Spurs reserve team which won the Football Combination League (Division 1) during the 1961/62 season". superhotspur.com. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  42. ^ "eddie baily – fact file (see Para 10)". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  43. ^ "the spurs management team 1975–76". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  44. ^ "pat welton – fact file". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Robin Stepney RIP". Horsham Football Club. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  46. ^ "Robbie Stepney RIP". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  47. ^ "john pratt – fact file". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Things are looking up for Hughton". Irish Independent. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  49. ^ "Theo Foley RIP". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  50. ^ "Fair play league gives Charlton anxious wait on Uefa Cup spot". The Guardian. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  51. ^ "Mauricio Pochettino hands new role to Tottenham coach John McDermott". The Guardian. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  52. ^ a b "Pat Welton". saintsstatistics.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  53. ^ Norman Giller (24 May 2021). My Seventy Years of Spurs. Pitch Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781785319433. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  54. ^ "RIP Pat Welton". Spurs Community. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  55. ^ "My interview with former Spurs Youth Team manager Keith Waldon". superhotspur. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  56. ^ "des bulpin – fact file". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  57. ^ "John's just four-midable!". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 10 December 2001. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  58. ^ "Who is Kieran McKenna? Manchester United coach taking training with Michael Carrick". Sky Sports. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  59. ^ a b c "Tottenham Hotspur U18 Manager history". worldfootball.net. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  60. ^ "Matt Wells departs". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
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