For the first time in nearly two decades, a trophy arrived in north London without any red ribbons attached. The streets were a sea of white as thousands of fans descended on theTottenham Hotspurstadium to celebrate the team’s Europa League triumph.It was a blissful atmosphere as supporters gathered to toast an end to the club’s 17-year wait for silverware, each one uttering the same seven-letter word: “Finally.”
Frank Hunter had been to Bilbao, not bothering to book a hotel and instead making use of the Basque city’s park benches for sleep as he and his friends endured what he called “the most excruciating experience” of his life. But he said it was all worth it.“Words can’t describe what it means to see all the boys all together, celebrating – it’s the best day,” said Frank. “To have days like this with your family is unreal. Here’s to many more.”
Robbie Fowler, 68, lives just round the corner from the stadium and was in attendance at the age of 15 when Spurs lifted their firstEuropa League– then UEFA – cup in 1972. He said moments like these “are up there with the best of them”.
“This saves our season – it’s that simple,” said Fowler. “Everything else – the league, the cups – it doesn’t matter. This is all that matters, times like this. Better than anything.”
Matthew Mitton was in attendance with his father and his son, Carter. He said he felt lucky to be able to share the moment with his young boy, the same way his father did with him during the team’s 1991 FA Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest.“This tops it. I was able to do that with my dad, and I can’t believe I can be with him on days like this again, and with my boy as well. Days like this, they don’t come around often enough.”
Luke and Jessica attended the parade together, with Luke being a Spurs fan his entire life and Jessica becoming one seven years ago when the couple first started seeing each other.“It’s been emotional,” she laughed. “Not much joy.”
“It’s funny,” Luke added. “We live just down the road and Jess said she didn’t know if we’d ever see a trophy parade here, and I was starting to think she might be right. I honestly feel as if I’ve waited my whole life for this. I can’t believe it.”While many in attendance shared Luke’s sentiment, for others the wait hadn’t been that long. Elijah Brown is just seven months old and has seen nearly the same amount of trophies as his father, Jaz, who is worried his son may become too used to success.
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“He doesn’t know the struggle,” said Jaz. “I had to wait 17 years and he’s waited seven months. I’m worried it will go to his head.”Jaz said that Elijah, who he brought to the parade along with Rosie, his partner and Elijah’s mother, and a cohort of friends, is a good-luck charm. He said all the signs since the boy’s birth have pointed towards him watching Spurs win a trophy.
“When he was born, I knew this kid was something lucky. We bought him his first kit and it only properly came of size today. Every time I put him in that kit we win another game. Honestly, it’s destiny. He’s the future Tottenham captain. Some day I’ll be here watching him lift the Prem [Premier League trophy].”