Spurs fans have enjoyed watching a number of iconic players throughout the club’s history and every single supporter will undoubtedly be able to compile an extensive list of their all-time favourites. Whether its longevity, determination or sheer talent, there are a number of players who have left a lasting impression on the Spurs’ faithful.
With over 120 years of footballing history to sift through, there are endless candidates to be included on this list, and with the club having competed in both the Champions League and Premier League, there have been plenty of memorable moments in the club’s history. We’ve picked out the best 10 players to have pulled on a Tottenham shirt since the club was formed in 1882.
10. Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker is considered to be one of the greatest strikers to have played for the club. With 80 goals in 138 appearances, he enjoyed a hugely prolific spell in North London, although his crowning moment undoubtedly came in 1991 when he notched twice in the FA Cup semi-final victory over rivals Arsenal. During his time at the club, he also represented England on several occasions and scored four times at the 1990 World Cup. He is one of many Spurs strikers to have represented The Three Lions at this tournament, with Harry Kane the latest player to have made a significant impression on the international stage. Kane is likely to be popular with World Cup bettors ahead of Qatar 2022 and as detailed in this NetBet review, betting on the first goalscorer market is an extremely popular way of wagering when it comes to televised matches.
9. Harry Kane
No list is complete without current Spurs frontman, Harry Kane after he looks set to break the all time Premier League goal scoring record currently held by Alan Shearer. After bursting onto the scene for Spurs in 2014 after Tim Sherwood gave him his first full Premier League debut and has never looked back, scoring a whopping 192 goals (and counting) for the Lilywhites.
8. Steve Perryman
Steve Perryman made an incredibly 854 appearances for the club and is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and popular squad members of all-time. He led the club to two UEFA Cup successes and was part of the FA Cup-winning sides in both 1981 and 1982. During his time in North London, he captained the club for over a decade and even remained on the books following Spurs’ relegation in 1977.
7. Pat Jennings
Pat Jennings was one of the first all-round goalkeepers to grace the top flight. He was perfectly capable with both his hands and his feet and quite rightly regarded as best goalkeeper in the world during his stint at White Hart Lane. He played almost 700 times for the club and was voted the FWA Player of the Year in 1973. He was also part of the squad who clinched FA Cup and League Cup titles during the 1970s.
6. Bobby Smith
Any fans who regularly watched Spurs during the 1960s will fondly remember Bobby Smith, who netted 208 times for the club. He formed a formidable partnership with Jimmy Greaves and although he is arguably the least famous half of the prolific duo, he played a crucial role in Spurs’ famous FA Cup victories of 1961 and 1962.
5. Cliff Jones
Although he took a while to settle into his new role in North London, Cliff Jones went on to become a bonafide Spurs legend and was famed for his trademark wing wizardry. The Welshman also had an eye for goal and netted 159 times in 379 appearances. During his successful spell in the capital he lifted the FA Cup three times as well as the Cup Winners’ Cup.
4. Glenn Hoddle
During his 12 years at the club, Hoddle displayed an impressive array of technical ability and the unrivalled ability to pick out a pass. He stayed loyal to the Lilywhites and his midfield mastery is fondly remembered by Spurs fans who packed out White Hart Lane throughout the 1980s. He scored 110 times during his time at the club and despite overseeing an unsuccessful period in the dugout, he will still be remember as a club legend.
3. Danny Blanchflower
The £30,000 recruit is often known as the ‘King of the Lane’, and spent more than a decade at the club. He captained the side throughout the title winning season and was an inspiration character in both the dressing room and crucially, on the pitch. He was twice named as Player of the Year during his stint and also successfully represented Northern Ireland throughout the 1960s.
2. Dave McKay
When it comes to midfield generals, they don’t get much tougher than Dave McKay. His tireless efforts may have occasionally gone unappreciated, however, he was an incredibly important cog in the Spurs midfield. He spent nine years at the club and represented the Lilywhites during their most successful period. He was physically imposing and was part of the double winning side of 1961-62.
1. Jimmy Greaves
Jimmy Greaves is the club’s all-time record goalscorer and fired in 266 goals during his time in North London. He finished as the league’s top goalscorer on four occasions and was famed for his goal-scoring instincts and positional awareness. He made an instant impact by netting a hat-trick against Blackpool on debut and went on to become one of the club’s greatest players of all-time.