Name: Kevin Fitzgerald
Current hometown: London (close to Olympic Park)
Birthplace: Cambridge
How long have you supported your team: I would like to say since before the 60-61 double winners (I am certainly old enough) but alas, I was an adolescent growing up in Cambridge and supporting Cambridge City in the Southern League at the time. Apart from occasional matches and an admiration from afar, it’s early 70s when I moved to within a Hoddle long pass of the ground.
Favourite thing about our home ground: Well, the name for a start, like the club name there is romantic ring about. The atmosphere for a key floodlit match, preferably adorned by an all white kit and European opposition (but probably not Europa) and, given my Irish background I like the second half re entry to the quirky “McNamara’s Band”
For the Liverpool game this season, Jurgen Klopp’s first PL match, I saw White Hart Lane from a new vantage point, the control pod, high above the away fans, in the SE corner. So, behave on Sunday! I was one of four THST board members “shadowing” the security operation for four of our home matches this season. An invaluable learning experience for fan representatives.
Favourite match played by your team and why: So many (and so many least favourites as well) but I’ll go for the FA Cup quarter final vs Liverpool at Anfield in March 1995.
Two teams playing exhilarating football from start to finish. Fowler put Liverpool one up, Sheringham equalised as the ball pinged the inside of the post from the edge of the area at the Spurs end; a sublime swerving shot from a Klinsmann pass. Then in the dying minutes, perhaps seconds, Sheringham returned the compliment for Jurgen who dinked the ball over the keeper. The final memory was of the Liverpool fans applauding Spurs off the pitch. Unforgettable.
Favourite player of all time: For me, it has to be Glenn Hoddle. I used to take up my position in the East stand in good time to marvel at his skills just during the warm up. Something I’ve read that Hunter Davies, the author of the famous The Glory Game also admits to. And his display in the first half vs Feyenoord, October 1983, 4-0 up at half time, all made by Glenn, a performance the opposition’s Yohan Cruyff described as the best he’d ever witnessed.
Favourite current player in your squad and why? I’m sticking with Captain Hugo. Perhaps, it’s because I was a keeper myself (neither mad, extrovert nor flamboyant). But what’s not to like in our young, motivated, committed squad?
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? I’m changing this season and going for ‘Arry and Alli. The reasons are there for all to see.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? I’m sticking with Mahrez, especially with Vardy out. But I’d have stuck with him anyway. I feel proud of my punditry here, having chosen him last season, only to find he was on the bench, but I must have seen something. Loved the way he and our Algerian, Bentaleb stayed on the pitch chatting for quite a while after last March’s match.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Deli Alli has soared from MK Dons towards the galaxy in the nine months since I last answered that question, so not really a prospect. Let’s wait until Alex Pritchard, who almost got Brentford into the PL last season returns from injury.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? Spurs? Expectations? It’s the hope that kills you. But I’m going between 3rd and 5th. So, lets say 4th. Though you might have a shout here.
How do you think you’ll do against us? A double header and I’m going to be greedy.
What do you think of the summer transfer activity both in and out of your club? Much movement in and out with major net improvements.
IN: Dele Ali, signed earlier but loaned back to MK Dons till the summer; Toby Alderweireld, however much we needed a back up for Kane, Poch saw the importance of sorting out the defence. Toby is the man here, bringing the best out of a sleeping Yan (had been in PL team of the season a couple of seasons earlier).
Full backs benefiting from competition for places, with Trippier coming in. Of the others – Son (already won us two matches), Njie, Wimmer, yet to see enough but all young like the whole squad.
OUT: I guess they all had to go (many were Baled out) but sad to see Lennon depart after so many good years and Soldado because he seemed a thoroughly decent guy who handled his poor form with dignity. So pleased he is back scoring and making goals in La Liga
Do you think you need any further additions in January? No. Harry can play 90 minutes every day of the week. Only joking. Got to be a striker but easier said than done. Is it a like for like who can slot in to relieve (a hopefully uninjured) Kane or a quick, fox in the box (and No, I really want him to stay with you) who can make an impact with Harry? Either way it’s got to be someone who will spend a lot of time on the bench and adds to the collective team morale.
Ignoring our two sides, who is your tip to win the FA Cup? I think I’ll go for a surprise from near the bottom – Chelsea
3rd round Giant Killers? Chelsea 🙂
Any other comments? Hardly needs a comment. The signs were there last season and now you are at the forefront of this wonderful antidote to the cheque book football clubs. Long may it continue. Keep hold of those players.
Kevin Fitzgerald is a board member of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust, you can read the latest from their Trust here http://www.thstofficial.com