View source for White Hart Lane

{{short description|Former football stadium of Tottenham Hotspur}}
{{about|the former stadium of Tottenham Hotspur|its successor, the new stadium|Tottenham Hotspur Stadium|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox venue
| name              = White Hart Lane
| location          = [[Tottenham]]<br />[[London]], [[N postcode area|N17]]<br />England
| image             = White Hart Lane from South End.JPG
| image_size        = 250px
| caption           = White Hart Lane in 2011
| coordinates       = {{coord|51|36|12|N|0|03|57|W|type:landmark_scale:3000_region:GB|display=it}}
| public_transit    = {{rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{rws|White Hart Lane}}
| fullname          = White Hart Lane Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/planning-application-search/white-hart-lane-stadium|title = White Hart Lane Stadium {{!}} London City Hall|date = 17 December 2019|access-date = 17 November 2021|archive-date = 17 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211117125852/https://www.london.gov.uk//what-we-do/planning/planning-applications-and-decisions/planning-application-search/white-hart-lane-stadium|url-status = dead}}</ref>
| nickname          = "The Lane"
| owner             = Tottenham Hotspur
| operator          = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] <small>(Handed over to [[Mace (construction company)|Mace]] on 15 May 2017 for demolition)</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/white-hart-lane-is-formally-handed-over-150517/ |title=WHITE HART LANE IS FORMALLY HANDED OVER |date=15 May 2017 |work=Tottenham Hotspur}}</ref>
| construction_cost = £100,050 (1934)
| built             = Between October and December 1898
| opened            = {{start date and age|1899|9|4|df=y}}
| closed            = {{end date and age|2017|5|14|df=y}}
| demolished        = Between June and August 2017
| surface           = [[Desso GrassMaster]]
| architect         = [[Archibald Leitch]] (1909)
| seating_capacity  = 36,284
| dimensions        = 100 × 67&nbsp;m<br />(110 × 73 [[Yards|yd]])
| tenants           = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] (1899–2017)<br />[[London Monarchs]] (1995–1996)
}}

'''White Hart Lane''' was a [[Association football|football]] stadium in [[Tottenham]], North [[London]] and the home of [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] from 1899 to 2017. Its capacity varied over the years; when changed to all-seater it had a capacity of 36,284.<ref name="premierleague.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/handbooks/premier-league-handbook-2013-14.pdf|title=Premier League Handbook Season 2013/14 |access-date=17 August 2016 |work=[[Premier League]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106042645/http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/handbooks/premier-league-handbook-2013-14.pdf|archive-date=6 November 2013}}</ref> The stadium was fully demolished after the end of the [[2016–17 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2016–17 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stadiumdb.com/news/2017/05/london_farewell_yesterday_now_demolition_begins |title= London: Farewell yesterday, now demolition begins |date=15 May 2017 |work=StadiumDB.com |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref>

The stadium hosted 2,533 competitive Spurs games in its 118-year history.<ref name="stats" /> It was also used for [[England national football team|England national football]] matches and [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21 football]] matches. White Hart Lane once had a capacity of nearly 80,000 with attendances in the early 1950s that reached the 70,000s,<ref>{{cite book |first=Bob |last=Goodwin |title=Tottenham Hotspur: The Complete Record |publisher=Derby Books |edition=2 |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-85983-846-4|pages=268–270}}</ref> but as seating was introduced, the stadium's capacity decreased to a modest number in comparison to other [[Premier League]] clubs. The record attendance at the ground was 75,038, for an [[FA Cup]] tie on 5 March 1938 against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccer.com/guide/five-facts-about-spurs-white-hart-lane/|title=Five facts about Spurs' White Hart Lane|publisher=soccer.com|access-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> Tottenham's final game at White Hart Lane was played on 14 May 2017 with a 2–1 victory against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39915795 |title=White Hart Lane: Tottenham players past and present say an emotional farewell to stadium |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2017 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref>

Tottenham's new home, [[Tottenham Hotspur Stadium]], has a capacity of 62,850 and was designed by [[Populous (company)|Populous]].<ref name="Sheringham">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8326735.stm|title=Spurs aim for new stadium by 2012|last=Sheringham|first=Sam|date=26 October 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stadiumdb.com/news/2015/07/new_design_tottenham_reveal_their_vision|title=New design: Tottenham reveal their vision |work= StadiumDB.com}}</ref> It was built in almost the same location as White Hart Lane, instead of moving elsewhere within or away from the borough of [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]].<ref name="collett">{{Cite web |last=Collett |first=Mike |date=31 January 2012 |title=Spurs commit to new stadium in Tottenham |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-tottenham/spurs-commit-to-new-stadium-in-tottenham-idUKTRE80U12620120131 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615140935/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-tottenham/spurs-commit-to-new-stadium-in-tottenham-idUKTRE80U12620120131 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=15 June 2018 |website=Reuters}}</ref> While the replacement stadium was under construction, all Tottenham home games in the [[2017–18 Premier League|2017–18 season]] as well as all but five in [[2018–19 Premier League|2018–19]] were played at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10854713/tottenham-confirm-move-to-wembley-for-201718-season |title=Tottenham confirm move to Wembley for 2017/18 season|first= Lyall |last=Thomas |date= 28 April 2017 |work=Sky Sports |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> After two successful test events, Tottenham Hotspur officially moved into the new ground on 3 April 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham/tottenham-new-stadium-opening-live-spurs-officially-unveil-1bn-venue-crystal-palace-clash-a4107561.html |title=Tottenham stadium opening ceremony Live: Spurs officially unveil 62,062 capacity venue |date=3 April 2019 |work=Evening Standard |access-date=20 April 2019 |first= Jack |last=Rosser }}</ref><ref name="burrows">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-fixtures-new-stadium-first-game-when-is-it-crystal-palace-fc-a8827321.html |title=Tottenham new stadium: Spurs confirm Crystal Palace as first fixture at new home|first=Ben |last=Burrows |date=17 March 2019 |work=The Independent |access-date=17 March 2019 }}</ref>

==History==
===Origin===
When the club was first formed in 1882, the club played its matches on public land at the Park Lane end of [[Tottenham Marshes]].<ref name=Goodwin>{{cite book |first=Bob |last=Goodwin |title=Tottenham Hotspur: The Complete Record |publisher=Derby Books |edition=2 |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-85983-846-4}}</ref><ref name="haringey">{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=236039 |title=Northumberland Development Project, Tottenham|date=October 2009 |publisher=Haringey Council|format=Microsoft Word|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> As the ground was on public land, the club could not charge admission fees for spectators, and while the number of spectators grew to a few thousand within a few years, it yielded no gate receipts. In 1888, the club rented a pitch between numbers 69 and 75 Northumberland Park<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/white-hart-lane/ |title=History of White Hart Lane|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur |access-date=28 January 2020 }}</ref> at a cost of £17 per annum, with the spectators charged [[Threepence (British coin)|3d]] a game.<ref name=enclosure>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S07SDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT24 |title=People's History of Tottenham Hotspur: How Spurs Fans Shaped the Identity of One of the World's Most Famous Clubs|first1=Martin|last1=Cloake|first2=Alan|last2=Fisher|via=Google Books |publisher=Pitch Publishing |date=15 August 2016 |chapter=Chapter 2: Enclosure Changed the Game Forever|isbn=978-1-78531-246-5}}{{dead link|date=January 2022}}</ref> The first stand with just over 100 seats and changing rooms underneath was built on the ground for the 1894–95 season.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.spurshistory.com/pages/28.htm |title=A Romance of Football, The History of the Tottenham Hotspur FC |publisher=The Tottenham & Edmonton Herald|date=1921 |page=22|via=Spurs History|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> Overcrowding at the ground however became an issue; in 1898, during a match against [[Arsenal F.C.|Woolwich Arsenal]] attended by a record crowd of 15,000, the refreshment stand collapsed when fans climbed up onto its roof, prompting the club to start looking for a new ground. In 1899, the club moved a short distance to a piece of land behind the White Hart pub.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-white-hart-lane-farewell-goodbye-diego-maradon-johan-cruyff-a7733846.html|title=White Hart Lane has seen Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, but after 118 years Tottenham have outgrown it|first=Martin |last=Cloake |date=13 May 2017|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>

The new location was to the east of [[Tottenham High Road]]. The site was formerly used as a [[nursery (horticulture)|nursery]] owned by the brewery company [[Charringtons]]. The ground was leased from Charringtons with the proviso that Spurs must guarantee crowds of 1,000 for first-team matches and 500 for the reserves, easily achievable when the average attendance of Tottenham's matches was 4,000.<ref>{{cite book |last=Donovan |first=Mike |title=Glory, Glory Lane|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SpTTAQAACAAJ|publisher=Pitch Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-78531-326-4 |page=48|via=Google Books|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> A groundsman at a local cricket club, John Over, was tasked with demolishing the greenhouses and preparing a playing surface for football.<ref name=Goodwin /> The stands from the previous ground at Northumberland Park were moved to the new ground.<ref name="stadium history" /> The new ground was never officially named, although names such as Gilpin Park and Percy Park were suggested.<ref>{{cite book |title=Spurs: A Complete Record 1882–1988 |first=Bob |last=Goodwin |publisher=Breedon Books|date=29 August 1988|isbn= 978-0-907969-42-6 |page=15}}</ref><ref name="standard" /> In its early days it was normally referred to as the Hotspur's or Spurs' Ground by the club or the High Road Ground by the public, in time it became popularly known as White Hart Lane, which is in fact the name of the street on the western side of High Road, away from the ground. It is however unclear how it became so-named; some thought that it acquired the name because spectators would first meet up at the [[White Hart Lane railway station]]; another suggestion is that it referred to the lane leading to the stadium entrance beside the White Hart pub, later officially named Bill Nicholson Way.<ref>{{cite book |last=Donovan |first=Mike |title=Glory, Glory Lane|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SpTTAQAACAAJ|publisher=Pitch Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-78531-326-4 |page=50|via=Google Books|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>
[[File:First match at White Hart Lane - Spurs vs Notts County 1899.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|First match at White Hart Lane, Spurs vs Notts County, 4 September 1899]]

The first game at the Lane to mark its opening was a friendly against [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] on 4 September 1899, with around 5,000 supporters attending, generating a gate receipt of £115.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/12/glory-nights-gazzas-gun-spurs-prepare-bid-fond-farewell-white/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/12/glory-nights-gazzas-gun-spurs-prepare-bid-fond-farewell-white/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Glory nights and Gazza's gun – Spurs prepare to bid a fond farewell to White Hart Lane |first=Jonathan |last=Liew |date=12 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The first goal at the Lane came from [[Tommy McCairns]] of Notts County, followed by an equaliser from [[Tom Pratt (footballer, born 1873)|Tom Pratt]] and a hat-trick from [[David Copeland (footballer)|David Copeland]], ending in a 4–1 home win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/spurs-v-notts-county-1899-030804/ |title=Spurs v Notts County 1899 |date=3 August 2004 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> The first competitive game on the ground was held five days later in front of an 11,000 crowd against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], which Spurs won 1–0 with the only goal scored by [[Tom Smith (footballer, born 1876)|Tom Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15122/10871056/history-of-white-hart-lane-ahead-of-final-tottenham-game-against-manchester-united |title=History of White Hart Lane ahead of final Tottenham game against Manchester United |first=Adam|last=Smith|date=13 May 2017|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/white-hart-lane-final-statistics-150517/ |title=White Hart Lane – Final Statistics|date=15 May 2017 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>

By 1904, the ground had an overall capacity of 32,000, with a main stand that provided seating for 500, and covered accommodation for 12,000.<ref name=Goodwin /><ref name="haringey" /> In February 1904, overcrowding during an [[1903–04 FA Cup|FA Cup]] match against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] led to the abandonment of the match and a pitch invasion by fans, resulting in the club being fined and ordered to erect a steel fence around the pitch.<ref name=enclosure /> The ground needed to be expanded; although a large earth bank was built at the Park Lane end in 1904, the club's ability to develop the White Hart Lane site was restricted by the terms of the ground lease with Charringtons. Following a share issue, the club bought the freehold for £8,900 in 1905. An additional £2,600 was used to purchase the land at the northern (Paxton Road) end, where another large bank was built the same year to match the one at the Park Lane end, bringing the capacity up to 40,000.<ref name="haringey" /><ref name="stadium history" /> Spurs were admitted to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] of the Football League in 1908, and they played their first league game on 1 September 1908 against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] at White Hart Lane. Spurs won 3–0, and the first Football League goal at the ground was scored by [[Vivian Woodward]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/vivian-woodward-feature-080915/ |title='Sir' Vivian – A Spurs Great |date=8 September 2015 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref>

===Redevelopment===
[[File:West stand of White Hart Lane in 1909.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The West Stand built in 1909]]
White Hart Lane was redeveloped in the early 20th century, and its stands were rebuilt over a period of two and a half decades based on designs by the stadium architect [[Archibald Leitch]]. The first to be designed, the main West Stand, was a two-tiered structure with seating for 5,300 in the upper tier and a paddock in front with standing room for over 6,000. The roof covered the whole stand and featured a [[Tudor Revival architecture|mock-Tudor]] [[gable]], emblazoned with the club's name. At the time of its construction, it was the largest stand at a British football ground.<ref name=Goodwin /> Built at a cost of £50,000, the West Stand opened on 11 September 1909 for Spurs' first home game in [[Football League First Division|Division One]], which was a match against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] that ended in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/strange-coincidence-makes-manchester-united-13031387 |title=This strange coincidence makes Manchester United Spurs' perfect opponents for White Hart Lane finale |first=Adam |last=Jones |date=13 May 2017 |work=Football London|access-date=11 January 2022|publisher=Reach}}</ref> The central section of the East Stand was also covered in 1909; two years later its wooden terrace was replaced by an enlarged concrete terrace, with the roof extended to cover the whole stand.<ref name=Goodwin /> With further expansion of the banking at the two ends, the stadium capacity increased to over 50,000 by the onset of the [[First World War]]. During the war, the stadium was taken over by the Ministry of War and the East Stand was turned into a factory for making gas masks, gunnery and protection equipment.<ref name="hytner" />

[[File:White Hart Lane Jan 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Spurs [[cockerel]]]]
The pitch was overlooked by a bronze [[fighting cock]] (the club symbol) that kept an eye on proceedings from the roof of the touchline stands. The cockerel was adopted as an emblem for the club as Harry Hotspur, after whom the club was named, wore [[spur]]s to make his horse go faster as he charged in battles,<ref name="insall">{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=748708 |title=Northumberland Development Project |date=September 2015 |work=Haringey Council |publisher=Donald Insall Associates|access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref> and spurs are also associated with [[Cockfight|fighting cocks]].<ref name=tour>{{cite book |title=The Stadium Tour Experience |pages=32–33 |publisher=Vision Sports Publishing|via=Google Books}}</ref> The original cockerel on a ball was erected in 1909 and was cast by William James Scott, who had played for the club when it was an amateur club. It was originally located atop the West Stand but was removed in 1957 for the upgrading of floodlighting and reappeared on top of the East Stand in December 1958.<ref name="hytner">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/13/goodbye-white-hart-lane-iconic-stadium |title=Goodbye White Hart Lane: an iconic stadium remembered by those who knew it best |first=David |last=Hytner |date=13 May 2017 |work=The Observer|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> In 1989, the original cockerel was removed to be replaced by fibreglass replicas that were placed on top of both the East Stand and West Stand. The original cockerel was moved to the executive suites, where it stayed for many years, then to the West Stand reception. It was moved to the club offices at Lilywhite House in 2016 as the stadium was due to be demolished for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/cockerel-and-ball-statue-removed-from-tottenham-hotspur-s-white-hart-lane-as-end-draws-closer/story-29893612-detail/story.html |title=Cockerel and Ball statue removed from Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane as end draws closer|work= Hertfordshire Mercury |date=14 November 2016|publisher=Local World}}{{dead link|date=January 2022}}</ref>

The ground continued to be renovated in the 1920s and early 1930s, with three more stands designed by Archibald Leitch.<ref name=Goodwin /> The FA Cup win in 1921 provided money to build a covered, two-tiered terrace at the Paxton Road end and, in 1923, a similar stand was added at the Park Lane end. The capacity had now reached 58,000, with about 40,000 under cover.<ref name="stadium history" /> In 1934 the club spent £60,000 to rebuild the East Stand. The new stand was a double-decker structure, with the lower section in two tiers; the upper section had 4,983 seats, while the two lower tiers provided standing room for over 18,700.<ref name=Goodwin /> The middle section, which is the top tier of the lower section, was known to fans as "The Shelf". The Shelf became a place where ardent fans congregated, unlike many other stadiums where the stands behind the goals are the preferred gathering place for the loudest fans.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sO1zDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT334|title=White Hart Lane: The Spurs Glory Years 1899-2017 |first= Martin|last= Lipton |publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|date= 2017 |isbn=978-1-4091-6928-4 |chapter=Chapter 15: Mr Chairman|via=Google Books|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> It was also the only raised terracing in the English league. The total stadium capacity was now nearly 80,000. The East Stand was officially opened on 22 September 1934 for a match against Aston Villa.<ref name="stadium history" />

In the 1930s, football had a popular following, and despite Tottenham's relative lack of success at the time, 75,038 spectators squeezed into White Hart Lane in March 1938 to see Spurs' performance against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in the [[FA Cup]]. The redeveloped stadium was also used for international matches; in 1935 it hosted a game between Nazi Germany and England that England won, 3–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cityam.com/264631/tottenham-hotspur-27-iconic-photos-capture-white-hart-lanes|title=Tottenham Hotspur: 27 iconic photos that capture White Hart Lane's storied history|first=Joe|last=Hall|date=13 May 2017|work=City AM|access-date=16 May 2017|archive-date=16 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516155419/http://www.cityam.com/264631/tottenham-hotspur-27-iconic-photos-capture-white-hart-lanes}}</ref>  The venue also hosted some of the [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|football]] preliminaries for the [[1948 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|title=1948 Summer Olympics official report|pages=45–46|via=LA 84 Foundation|date=1951|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=11 January 2022|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716035822/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[Second World War]], Spurs shared the ground with rival Arsenal when [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] was requisitioned by the government and used as an [[Air Raid Precautions in the United Kingdom|Air Raid Precautions]] centre.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/8803645.When_Spurs_and_Arsenal_shared_the_same_pitch/ |title=When Spurs and Arsenal shared the same pitch |date=20 January 2011 |work=Enfield Independent|access-date=11 January 2022|publisher=Newsquest Media Group}}</ref>
[[File:The Park Lane Stand at Tottenham Hotspur in 1991 - geograph.org.uk - 2839297.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The old South Stand before it was rebuilt in the 1990s]]
Tottenham became firmly established as one of England's biggest clubs that attracted some of the highest attendances in the country on a regular basis. Attendance at White Hart Lane averaged at over 53,000 in 1961, their [[1960–61 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|double winning year]].<ref name=Chapter7>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S07SDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT107 |title=People's History of Tottenham Hotspur: How Spurs Fans Shaped the Identity of One of the World's Most Famous Clubs|author1=Martin Cloake|author2=Alan Fisher |publisher=Pitch Publishing |date=15 August 2016 |chapter=Chapter 7: A Tiny Part of Tottehnham Hotspur|isbn=978-1-78531-246-5|via=Google Books}}{{dead link|date=January 2022}}</ref> Between the late 1920s and 1972, White Hart Lane was one of very few British football grounds that featured no advertising hoardings at all.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

1953 saw the introduction of floodlights, with their first use being a friendly against [[Racing Club de France Football|Racing Club de Paris]] in September that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://footysphere.tumblr.com/post/207640289/first-floodlit-match-white-hart-lane-spurs|title=First floodlit fixture at White Hart Lane|work=Footysphere|first=Karl|last=Footysphere|access-date=20 February 2011|archive-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816135656/http://footysphere.tumblr.com/post/207640289/first-floodlit-match-white-hart-lane-spurs}}</ref> They were upgraded in 1957, and in 1961, floodlight pylons were installed. These were renovated again in the 1970s, and in 1990 the floodlight pylons were replaced with spotlights mounted on the East and West stands.<ref name="stadium history" />

===All-seater stadium===
The stadium as designed by Archibald Leitch stayed in the same form for a few decades, seating sections however were progressively introduced. In 1962, 2,600 seats were fitted at the back of the South Stand (on Park Lane), followed the next year by 3,500 seats at the North (Paxton Road) Stand, which was further extended in 1968 to link up with the West Stand to give a further 1,400 seats.<ref name="stadium history" /> The South and West stands were linked in 1973, adding further seats, but the capacity of the ground dropped overall as seats replaced standing terraces.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

In 1980, in a bid to improve facilities and upgrade what was then considered an outdated stadium, a new phase of redevelopment began that transformed the ground. The new chairman, Arthur Richardson, green-lit the project over the scepticism of previous chairman Sidney Wale.<ref name="donovan"/> The old West Stand was demolished in November 1980 to be replaced by a new stand designed by Ernest Atherden that had 6,500 seats and featured 72 executive boxes.<ref name="standard">{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/from-a-balaclava-melee-to-tottenhams-uefa-cup-victories-118-years-of-history-at-white-hart-lane-a3537796.html |title=From a 'balaclava melee' to Tottenham's Uefa Cup victories – 118 years of history at White Hart Lane |first=Martin |last=Cloake |date=12 May 2017 |work=Evening Standard|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> The new West Stand opened 15 months later on 6 February 1982 for a match against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]], won by Spurs 6&ndash;1, with a hat-trick from [[Ricky Villa]].<ref name="donovan"/> However, cost overruns in the project, which rose from £3.5 million to £6 million, and the cost of rebuilding the team, resulted in financial difficulties for the club.<ref name="donovan">{{cite book |last= Donovan |first= Mike |title= Glory, Glory Lane|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SpTTAQAACAAJ|publisher= Pitch Publishing |year= 2017 |isbn= 978-1-78531-326-4 |page=129|via=Google Books|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> [[Irving Scholar]] took advantage of a rift in the boardroom and bought out the shares of Wale, leading to a change of directors.<ref name="randall">{{cite news|title=How they won their Spurs |date=10 November 1991 |work=The Sunday Times Magazine |pages=34–44|first=Jeff|last=Randall}}</ref>
[[File:The main stand at Tottenham Hotspur in 1991 - geograph.org.uk - 2839301.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The East Stand in 1991 – the upper part of The Shelf had been replaced by executive boxes, but the remaining standing terraces had not yet been replaced by seats]]

In 1985, a plan to demolish and rebuild the East Stand was rejected by Haringey Council. In 1988, the club decided to proceed instead with a refurbishment of the East Stand despite objections by fans. The long stretch of raised standing terrace on the East Stand, known by fans as The Shelf,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/the-shelf-at-tottenham-once-made-white-hart-lane-londons-most-hostile-stadium-fa3537971.html |title=The Shelf at Tottenham once made White Hart Lane London's most hostile stadium |first=Tony |last=Evans | date= 13 May 2017 |work=Evening Standard|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> was redesigned to include the installation of executive boxes replacing the upper section of the standing terrace. Work on the East Stand however caused the opening game of the 1988–89 season against Coventry to be postponed a few hours before kickoff.<ref name="standard" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2019/jan/09/spurs-white-hart-lane-stadium-tottenham-spurs |title=When building chaos kept Spurs out of White Hart Lane ... 30 seasons ago |first=Steven |last=Pye|date= 9 January 2019 |via=The Guardian |access-date=9 January 2019|work=That 1980s Sports Blog}}</ref> The East Stand was closed that season. Work on the stadium continued in the summer of 1989 and the refurbished East Stand opened on 18 October 1989 for the [[North London Derby]].<ref name="stadium history">{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |title= History of White Hart Lane |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202050413/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |archive-date=2 December 2016}}</ref> The cost of the project however, doubled to over £8 million; this, together with other financial problems, would again lead to a change of directors at the club in 1991.<ref name="randall" />
[[File:White Hart Lane Football Stadium, Bill Nicholson Way N17 (geograph 2560956).jpg|thumb|left|Front entrance of White Hart Lane]]

There was perimeter fencing in the 1980s between the stands behind the goals and the pitch;<ref name=Chapter7></ref> high fencing in British football stadiums was erected to segregate away fans and to combat the threat of pitch invasions from [[Football hooliganism|hooligans]] in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bZZECgAAQBAJ&pg=PA72 |title=Violence and Racism in Football: Politics and Cultural Conflict in British Society, 1968–1998 |page=72 |first= Brett|last= Bebber |isbn=978-1-84893-266-1 |date=2011 |publisher=Routledge|via=Google Books|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> Fencing began to be removed in the later part of the 1980s, and all the fences were removed on 18 April 1989 for safety reasons in reaction to the [[Hillsborough disaster]] three days earlier, in which 97 [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] fans were fatally injured, most of them crushed to death against the perimeter fencing in an overcrowded standing area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/28/liverpool-fans-death-ruled-as-97th-victim-of-hillsborough-disaster|title=Liverpool fan's death ruled as 97th of Hillsborough disaster|access-date=11 January 2022|first1=David|last1=Conn|first2=Robyn|last2=Vinter|work=The Guardian|date=28 July 2021}}</ref> The fencing at the same place had also previously caused an incidence of crushing of Spurs fans during a cup tie in 1981.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10863068/Hillsborough-style-disaster-narrowly-avoided-eight-years-before-tragedy.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10863068/Hillsborough-style-disaster-narrowly-avoided-eight-years-before-tragedy.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Hillsborough-style disaster 'narrowly avoided eight years before tragedy' |first=Alice |last=Philipson |date= 29 May 2014 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/ITN/1989/04/18/BSP180489009/?s=hillsborough|title=HILLSBOROUGH FA CUP DISASTER: Fences Dismantled|work=ITN Collection|via=Getty Images|access-date=15 April 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212204/http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/ITN/1989/04/18/BSP180489009/?s=hillsborough}}</ref>
[[File:White Hart Lane Aerial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Aerial view looking east over the stadium]]
[[File:The South Stand of Tottenham Hotspur's football stadium - geograph.org.uk - 2167351.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Outside View of stadium from south-west corner]]
Also as a response to the Hillsborough disaster, and the subsequent [[Taylor Report]] of 1990 that called for all-seater stadiums, standing areas were removed over the next few years, further reducing the capacity of the ground. Standing areas on the lower terraces of the East and South stands were replaced with seating in 1992, followed by the North Stand the next year. The South Stand was demolished in 1994, and its redevelopment completed in March 1995. The work was partly funded by the [[Football Trust]]. The first [[Jumbotron]] video screen for live coverage and screening of away matches was also installed above the South Stand,<ref name="stadium history" /> and there would eventually be two screens, one above each penalty area. The renovation, and the addition of a second tier to the Members' (North) Stand on Paxton Road, was completed in 1998, leaving the stadium with a capacity of 36,240.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=748756 |date=2015 |title=Tottenham Hotspur Design and Access Statement 2015 |publisher=Haringey Council |access-date=11 January 2022 }}</ref> The stadium would stay in this form, bar some minor adjustments, until 2016, when the north-east corner of the stadium was demolished to allow for the construction of a new stadium, while the final [[2016–17 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2016–17 season]] was being played at White Hart Lane.<ref name="standard 2016"/>

===Redevelopment and demolition===
By the turn of the millennium, the capacity of White Hart Lane had fallen significantly behind compared to other major Premier League clubs who had plans to expand further (for example, proposed development of [[Old Trafford]] had a projected capacity of 79,000, while Arsenal planned to build a [[Emirates Stadium|new stadium]] that would seat 60,000).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spurs1882.org/misc/WHL_EastStand2001_PlanningStatement.pdf |title=Proposed New East Stand Redevelopment for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=June 2001 |work=Spurs Since 1882 |access-date=22 June 2017 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816121006/http://www.spurs1882.org/misc/WHL_EastStand2001_PlanningStatement.pdf }}</ref> Talks began over the redevelopment and future of White Hart Lane, and many stadium designs and ideas were mooted, including the possibility of Tottenham Hotspur moving home. However, a move to [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] was ruled out by the club, as was talk of moving to the [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]] in [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] after completion of the [[2012 Olympic Games]]. Ultimately the club's owners, [[ENIC Group]], decided to focus solely on the ongoing redevelopment plan for White Hart Lane as part of the [[Northumberland Development Project]].<ref name="collett"/>

Sections of the North and East Stands at the north-east corner were removed in 2016 to allow construction of the new stadium next to the old stadium in the final season at the Lane.<ref name="standard 2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenhams-new-stadium-will-have-better-atmosphere-than-arsenals-emirates-says-spurs-director-a3429286.html |title=Tottenham's new stadium will have better atmosphere than Arsenal's Emirates, says Spurs director Donna-Maria Cullen|first=Tom |last=Dutton |date=29 December 2016 |work=Evening Standard|access-date=11 January 2022}}</ref> As this reduced the stadium capacity below that required for European games, Tottenham Hotspur played every European home game of the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League|2016–17 competition]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/28/tottenham-champions-league-fixtures-wembley-stadium |title=Tottenham Hotspur to play Champions League matches at Wembley|access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Observer |date=28 May 2016}}</ref> On 14 May 2017, White Hart Lane hosted its final match in a Premier League encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. It ended in a 2–1 victory for the home side, securing the highest league ranking for Spurs since 1963, with goals from [[Victor Wanyama]] and [[Harry Kane]]. The last goal at the stadium was scored by Manchester United striker [[Wayne Rooney]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10877706/white-hart-lane-celebrated-as-tottenham-legends-and-fans-say-goodbye |title=White Hart Lane's illustrious history celebrated on momentous final day at Tottenham's great home |first=Lyall|last=Thomas|date=14 May 2017 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Demolition work on the stadium began the following day and was completed by August 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/15/tottenham-waste-no-time-white-hart-lane-demolition-work-begins/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/15/tottenham-waste-no-time-white-hart-lane-demolition-work-begins/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Tottenham waste no time as White Hart Lane demolition work begins |first=Mark |last=Molloy |date=15 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
{{wide image|Tottenham Hotspur LFC v West Ham United LFC, 19 April 2017 (436).jpg|900px|align-cap=center|A panorama of White Hart Lane from the North-West corner. The North-East corner (left) was removed for the duration of the 2016–17 Football season for the construction of the new stadium}}

==Other uses==
The stadium hosted many international football matches. One notable match took place in 1935 when England played [[Nazi Germany]], which led to protests by Jewish groups. The match ended in a 3–0 win for England.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/nazis-tottenham-why-did-swastika-fly-white-hart-lane |title= The Nazis at Tottenham: Why did the swastika fly at White Hart Lane?|work=FourFourTwo|first=John|last= Harding|date=16 May 2017 }}</ref> During the construction of the new [[Wembley Stadium]], White Hart Lane hosted full [[England national football team|England]] international matches, such as a 2–0 defeat to [[Netherlands National Football Team|Holland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/3010808/Nationwide-International-Dutch-master-poor-England.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527032555/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/3010808/Nationwide-International-Dutch-master-poor-England.html|archive-date=27 May 2012|title=Holland 2–0 England|publisher=Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 January 2009 |location=London |first=Henry |last=Winter |date=15 August 2001}}</ref> Following the opening of the rebuilt Wembley, the Lane was occasionally used to host [[England national under-21 football team|England Under-21s]] international matches, most notably a 1–1 draw against [[France national under-21 football team|France Under-21s]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=348928&&cc=5739|title=England 1–1 France|publisher=espn|access-date=5 January 2009|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026105602/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=348928&&cc=5739}}</ref>

The ground was used for other sports and events since the early years such as baseball (there was once a [[Baseball in the United Kingdom|Spurs baseball team]]).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OuIADgAAQBAJ&pg=PT254 |title=Baseball Beyond Our Borders: An International Pastime|year=2017|publisher=U of Nebraska Press |editor1=George Gmelch |editor2=Daniel A. Nathan |isbn=978-1-4962-0103-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8aiPZw3rh2IC&pg=PA16 |title=British Baseball and the West Ham Club: History of a 1930s Professional Team in East London |date=30 January 2007|author1=Josh Chetwynd|author2=Brian Belton |page=16 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-0-7864-2594-5}}</ref> It was used for many boxing matches over many years, the earliest matches being held in 1922.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sO1zDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT287|title=White Hart Lane: The Spurs Glory Years 1899-2017 |first= Martin|last= Lipton |publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|date= 2017 |isbn=978-1-4091-6928-4 |chapter=Chapter 13: Tragedies, Tears ... and Touchdowns}}</ref> There were a number of notable boxing matches at the stadium; for example, the match between [[Jack London (boxer)|Jack London]] vs [[Bruce Woodcock (boxer)|Bruce Woodcock]] in 1945,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/when-boxers-were-kings-4423771 |title=When boxers were Kings |date=19 September 2011 |first=Mike |last=Kelly |work=The Journal |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044630/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/when-boxers-were-kings-4423771 }}</ref> the [[Frank Bruno]] vs [[Joe Bugner]] bout in 1987,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bendirs/2010/11/brian_london_v_henry_cooper.html |publisher=BBC News |title=Heavyweight battles of Britain |date=15 May 2017}}</ref> and the fight on 21 September 1991 where [[Michael Watson]] collapsed with a near fatal brain injury after a bout with [[Chris Eubank]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/1077797.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=The fight that changed boxing |date=19 December 2000}}</ref>

In 1995 and 1996, White Hart Lane also hosted [[American football]], as the home ground of the [[London Monarchs]]. Because the pitch could not accommodate a regulation-length American football field, the Monarchs received special permission from the [[NFL Europa|World League]] to play on a 93-yard field.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/tottenham-hotspur-nfl-stadium-mutual-benefits |title=Tottenham and NFL confident London link-up will provide mutual benefits |first=Dave |last=Caldwell|work=The Guardian |date=1 October 2016 |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued this association with American football, as an [[artificial turf]] field is located beneath its retractable grass pitch, to be used for the American gridiron code of football.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-s-move-to-their-new-stadium-will-be-a-seamless-transition-from-white-hart-lane-a3374856.html |title=Tottenham's move to their new stadium will be a 'seamless transition' from White Hart Lane|first=Sam|last= Long |date= 21 October 2016 |work=Evening Standard}}</ref>

==Structure and facilities==
[[File:David Lammy on White Hart Lane.ogg|thumb|Audio description by [[David Lammy]]]]
[[File:WHLPLAN.PNG|thumb|right|White Hart Lane plan]]
The outer White Hart Lane frame was designed in a rectangular shape, with the inner seating tiers being rounded to maximise the number of seats possible within the structure. The cockerel was placed upon the West Stand, with the West Stand located on Tottenham High Road, the East Stand being on Worcester Avenue, the North Stand on Paxton Road and the South Stand on Park Lane. The stands were officially named after compass points, but were more colloquially referred to by the road onto which they back.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/stadium/stadium_seating.html|title=Tottenham Seating|publisher=TottenhamHotspur.com|access-date=5 January 2009}}</ref>

The capacity of the stands before the demolition of part of White Hart Lane, in summer 2016, was as follows:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
!style="background: navy; color: white" | Stand
!style="background: navy; color: white; width: 100px;" | Capacity
|-
| '''North Stand''' – ''(Paxton Road)''
!align="center"| 10,086
|-
| '''South Stand''' – ''(Park Lane)''
!align="center"| 8,633
|-
| '''East Stand''' – ''(Worcester Avenue)''
!align="center"| 10,691
|-
| '''West Stand''' – ''(High Road)''
!align="center"| 6,890
|-
!style="background: white;" | '''Total capacity'''
!style="background: white;" align="center"| '''36,300'''
|}

The pitch at White Hart Lane, at 100 × 67 metres (or 6,700 square meters), was one of the smallest in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squawka.com/news/how-tottenham-must-adapt-to-the-size-of-the-wembley-pitch-if-they-are-to-continue-developing-next-season/937074 |title=Explaining why Wembley's pitch size is such a serious issue for Spurs |first=Oliver |last=Young-Myles |date=13 May 2017|work=Squawka.com}}</ref>

==Records==
Tottenham's biggest ever win came at the stadium in an [[FA Cup]] tie against [[Crewe Alexandra|Crewe]] in February 1960, with a 13–2 final score. This was also the highest score seen at the stadium.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/records|title=Tottenham Hotspur scoring and sequence records – Statto.com|first=Statto Organisation|last=Ltd}}</ref> The biggest win in the [[Football League]] at the stadium took place on 22 October 1977 against [[Bristol Rovers]], which finished 9–0.<ref name="stats" /> On 22 November 2009, Tottenham defeated [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] 9–1 in the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=Tottenham 9–1 Wigan|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8365091.stm|access-date=13 May 2014|newspaper=BBC}}</ref> The club's biggest defeats at the venue were 0–6 scores in [[Football League First Division|Division One]], firstly against [[Sunderland F.C.|Sunderland]] on 19 December 1914 and later against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on 6 March 1935.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

The player with the most appearances at White Hart Lane is [[Steve Perryman]] who played 436 games, while [[Jimmy Greaves]] scored the most goals, with 176 goals at The Lane. The highest attendance recorded at The Lane was 75,038 for the Sixth Round FA Cup tie against Sunderland, 5 March 1938.<ref name="stats" /> It was also the highest ever gate for a home match at the club until 2016 when over 85,000 attended the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] match against Monaco, held at Wembley Stadium, which was their temporary home for European matches that season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/tottenham-vs-monaco-wembley-sells-out-as-more-than-85000-fans-buy-tickets-for-champions-league-clash-a7307286.html |title=Tottenham vs Monaco: Wembley sells out as more than 85,000 fans buy tickets for Champions League clash |first=Samuel |last=Lovett |date= 14 September 2016 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

==Transport==
The area close to the stadium is regularly served by many different bus routes and services.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/events/location.html|title=Tottenham location
|publisher=Tottenhamhotspur.com|access-date=5 January 2009}}</ref> Bus routes [[London Buses route 149|149]], [[London Buses route 259|259]], [[London Buses route 279|279]], and [[London Buses route 349|349]] stop outside the ground. [[White Hart Lane railway station|White Hart Lane]] and [[Northumberland Park railway station|Northumberland Park]] National Rail stations are {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} and {{convert|0.7|mi|km}} away, respectively. [[Tottenham Hale station|Tottenham Hale]], a rail and [[London Underground|tube]] station, and [[Seven Sisters tube station]] are also nearby. There are controlled parking zones in operation in the area on all match days.

==Future with new stadium==
{{Main|Tottenham Hotspur Stadium}}
[[File:New White Hart Lane from above 2017-05.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|White Hart Lane in May 2017 with new stadium being built next to it. West Stand partially demolished.]]
The first plan for relocation, reported in 2001, was to relocate to a proposed 43,000-seat stadium at [[Picketts Lock|Pickett's Lock]], intended for the [[2005 World Championships in Athletics|2005 World Athletics Championships]] to be held in London. However, the stadium was never built as the government deemed the project too expensive, and the games eventually took place in [[Helsinki]].

Over the next few years various other schemes were suggested, including a relocation to the rebuilt Wembley Stadium (which finally opened in 2007).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/sep/14/sport.comment3 |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Kelso |title=Digger: Tottenham consider Wembley bid |date=14 September 2006}}</ref> On 1 October 2010, ostensibly as a back-up to the plans for a new stadium, Tottenham registered interest in making use of the [[London Stadium|Olympic Stadium]], being built for the [[2012 London Olympics]], in conjunction with [[Anschutz Entertainment Group|AEG]], owners and operators of [[The O2 (London)|The O<sub>2</sub>]] in London's [[Greenwich]], formerly known as the [[Millennium Dome]].<ref name="ley">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8036137/Tottenham-interested-in-making-London-2012-Olympic-Stadium-their-new-ground.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8036137/Tottenham-interested-in-making-London-2012-Olympic-Stadium-their-new-ground.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Tottenham interested in making London 2012 Olympic Stadium their new ground |first=John |last=Ley|date=1 October 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The club also proposed rebuilding on the site after the 2012 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/12/tottenham-west-ham-olympic-stadium |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Owen |last=Gibson |title=Tottenham plan to demolish Olympic Stadium and rebuild |date=12 March 2015}}</ref> However, Spurs bid for the stadium was rejected on 11 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12424549 |title=West Ham Chosen as Preferred Olympic Stadium Tenant |publisher=BBC News |date=11 February 2011}}</ref> Spurs pursued legal action over the ruling to give the Stratford stadium to [[West Ham United]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14646806 |title=Spurs win right to challenge 2012 stadium decision |publisher=BBC News |date=24 August 2011}}</ref> but later withdrew.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/spursstadiumnews/9310655.Spurs_drop_Olympic_Stadium_legal_bid/ |title=Tottenham Hotspur drop Olympic Stadium legal bid |publisher=Tottenham and Wood Green Independent |date=17 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127214512/http://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/spursstadiumnews/9310655.Spurs_drop_Olympic_Stadium_legal_bid/|archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15344523 |publisher=BBC News |title=Tottenham Hotspur ends 2012 Olympic Stadium legal bid|date=12 March 2015}}</ref>

The club also pursued another option, namely the [[Northumberland Development Project]] (NDP). This involved a plan to build a new stadium, partly on the site of the existing White Hart Lane ground, and include leisure facilities, shops, housing, a club museum, a public space and also a new base for the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. The NDP was announced on 30 October 2008 to develop the current site and land to its north, to construct a totally new [[Northumberland Development Project|56,250-seat stadium]]. On 26 October 2009, the club submitted their planning application, hoping to start work on the new ground in 2010, and to be playing in it come 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7699135.stm|title=Tottenham reveal new ground plan |publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 October 2008|access-date=30 October 2008}}</ref> But in May 2010, following adverse reaction, this was withdrawn in favour of a substantially revised planning application. [[Haringey Council]] were requested on 30 September 2010 to grant permission for the new stadium and other associated developments (subject to negotiation of [[Town and Country Planning Act 1990|'Section 106']] developer contributions). The new plans were referred to [[English Heritage]], the [[Mayor of London]] and the [[Secretary of State (United Kingdom)|Secretary of State]] for a final decision.<ref name="NDPPressrelease">[http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/futureplans/news/stadium-plans-011010.html Stadium Plans "THFC Official website] Accessed 2 October 2010</ref> The Mayor of London, [[Boris Johnson]], approved the plans on 25 November 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/9228658.stm|title=Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium plans approved |publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2010|access-date=25 November 2010}}</ref> On 20 September 2011, planning permission was granted (planning reference HGY/2010/1000).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14996725|title=Tottenham sign planning agreement to build new stadium|publisher=BBC|date=20 September 2011}}</ref>
[[File:White Hart Lane - demolition and rebuilding.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|White Hart Lane in July 2017. Only the South Stand still standing here (visible behind new stadium under construction), but soon to be completely removed.]]

The development plans were revised several times during a lengthy delay because of a compulsory purchase order (CPO). This CPO was eventually issued in July 2014, giving approval for the new stadium scheme to proceed,<ref name="DCMS">{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-tottenham-hotspur-stadium-scheme-gets-the-green-light|title=New Tottenham Hotspur stadium scheme gets the green light|date=11 July 2014|publisher=Department for Communities and Local Government|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> but was subject to an unsuccessful legal challenge by a business located within the proposed site in February 2015.<ref name="highcourt">{{cite web |title=Tottenham plans for new stadium given massive boost as business looking to block move loses High Court appeal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11424828/Tottenham-plans-for-new-stadium-given-massive-boost-as-business-looking-to-block-move-loses-High-Court-appeal.html |url-access=subscription |website=[[Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409110502/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11424828/Tottenham-plans-for-new-stadium-given-massive-boost-as-business-looking-to-block-move-loses-High-Court-appeal.html |archive-date=9 April 2023 |date=20 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 July 2015, Tottenham announced brand new revised plans, including a larger 61,000 capacity, making it the biggest club stadium in London. The revised stadium design also included a 17,000 seat single tier stand, the biggest of its kind in the UK.<ref name="2015revisions">{{cite news |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/northumberland-development-project-updated-designs-and-plans-080715/ |title=Northumberland Development Project updated designs and plans |website=tottenhamhotspur.com |date=8 July 2015 |access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref> The new plan also included a combination of 585 new homes, a 180-room hotel, an extreme sports building, a community health centre, enhanced public spaces and 'The Tottenham Experience' – an interactive museum and club shop complex incorporating the listed Warmington House.<ref name="2015revisions" /> Additionally, on 8 July 2015 it was announced by the club that the new stadium would host two [[NFL International Series]] games, every year, for ten years.<ref name="2015revisions" />

On 16 December 2015, the revised plans were approved by Haringey Council (planning reference HGY/2015/3000) that would enable Phase 2 of the [[Northumberland Development Project|NDP]] to begin, as Phase 1 (Lilywhite House) had already been completed in February 2015.<ref>[http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-announcement-160215/ CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT ''Tottenham Hotspur'']. Retrieved 17 December 2015</ref> This therefore allowed widening of the High Road pavement leading to the new stadium by demolishing three buildings (Edmonton Dispensary, The Red House, and the former White Hart Public House). Construction work on the stadium began in early 2016.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35118953 Tottenham's revised stadium plans approved by Haringey Council, BBC News]. Retrieved 17 December 2015</ref>

On 28 April 2017, it was announced that Tottenham would play all its home matches in the 2017–18 season at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]], in order to complete the demolition of White Hart Lane and the construction of the new stadium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Club Announcement – 2017/18 season al Wembley confirmed|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-announcement-%E2%80%93-2017/18-season-at-wembley-confirmed-280417/|access-date=28 April 2017|work=Tottenham Hotspur|date=28 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilpatrick |first=Dan |date=2017-04-28 |title=Spurs to play at Wembley, demolish WHL |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37520404/tottenham-play-wembley-2017-18-season-demolish-white-hart-lane |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Sam |date=2017-04-28 |title=Tottenham confirm move to Wembley for 2017-18 season |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-confirm-temporary-move-to-wembley-stadium-for-201718-season-a3497686.html |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-28 |title=CONFIRMED: Tottenham to play all home games at Wembley for 2017/18 season |url=https://talksport.com/football/225947/confirmed-tottenham-hotspur-play-all-home-games-wembley-201718-season-170428237201/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref> The new stadium was scheduled to open for the start of the 2018/19 season,<ref name=stadiumopening>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30831515 Tottenham Hotspur stadium dispute firm in court challenge BBC News online 15 January 2015], Accessed 12 March 2015</ref> but the opening was delayed until 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-new-stadium-latest-update-opening-date-february-fixtures-wembley-games-crystal-a8718736.html |title=Tottenham hoping to open new stadium in March against Crystal Palace as Wembley stay extends through February|first=Jack |last=Pitt-Brooke |date=9 January 2019 |work=The Independent }}</ref> The White Hart Lane name would be abandoned in favour of a [[naming rights]] sponsorship link.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/tottenhamhotspurconfirmsnorthumberlanddevelopmentproject.html|title=Tottenham Hotspur confirms Northumberland Development Project |publisher=www.tottenhamhotspur.com|date=30 October 2008|access-date=30 October 2008}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|White Hart Lane}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |title=History of White Hart Lane |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202050413/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/history/ |archive-date=2 December 2016 |work= Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}}

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