Tottenham celebrate White Hart Lane finale
By Ryan Wrenn
An emotional goodbye followed Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with many Spurs luminaries and current players paying tribute.
The club assembled as many former stars as possible to travel to the game and take part in the on-pitch celebrations. Tottenham greats Gary Mabbutt, Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles, Cliff Jones and Ledley King made appearances, among many others.
Though marred by rain, by the time a rousing choir rendition of When the Spurs Going Marching In finished, the sun finally broke through the clouds — bringing with it a rainbow that arced over Spurs’ home of 118 years.
It felt a fitting end to a ground that hosted title, FA Cup and European Cup winning sides over the last century plus.
As the current team stepped onto the pitch, it was easy to feel as optimistic about the future. This is a young supremely talented team, one that kept an unbeaten record at White Hart Lane this season and earning second place in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino didn’t bother to hold back his pride in his squad in post-match comments as quoted by the Guardian.
"“I’m a very lucky guy to share the history of such a club in such a special moment. I want to say thanks to all my players and staff. We are sad and disappointed that Chelsea won the league but there is nothing to regret. All we can say is that next season we will give our best and try to win the league.”"
It’s a mark of the progress made under Pochettino that he and so many others can openly talk about challenging for the title next season. As recently as last season, such confidence seemed unwarranted.
It is now harder to ignore that there is something special going on however. Spurs challenged for the title over the last two seasons, with this term’s effort leaning heavily on the excellent string of results at White Hart Lane.
Challenges will only mount over the next two seasons, a fact that Pochettino well knows. Spurs will be asked to adjust first to the confines of Wembley, then to their new stadium slated to open ahead of the 2018/19 season.
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At the same time, the threat from Spurs’ rivals will continue to grow. Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will have moved on from rock first seasons as Manchesters City and United, respectively. Arsene Wenger will be anxious to end his tenure at Arsenal on the highest of notes. And Chelsea will be anxious to play spoiler to Tottenham yet again.
Still, as the fans cheered for the final time at Lane, it was hard to imagine Tottenham’s future as anything but blindingly bright.