Club History

Tottenham Hotspur began in 1882 as a schoolboy side called Hotspur Football Club. It has grown into one of the biggest clubs in England.

Founded	5 September 1882
Turned professional	20 December 1895
First FA Cup win	1901, as a non-league club
Double	1960-61, under Bill Nicholson
Latest European trophy	Europa League, 2025

The Spurs cockerel on the roof of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — The cockerel on the stadium roof. Photo: Hzh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Early years

Spurs turned professional in 1895 and won the FA Cup in 1901 while still a Southern League side. A second FA Cup followed in 1921.

Rowe and Nicholson

Arthur Rowe’s push-and-run side won the club’s first league title in 1950-51. Bill Nicholson took over in October 1958 and led Spurs to the Double in 1961, the FA Cup in 1962 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963, the first European trophy won by a British club.

Cups and Europe

Spurs won the UEFA Cup in 1971-72 and the FA Cup in 1981, with Steve Perryman, Osvaldo Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle among the stars of the era.

Modern era

Spurs reached the 2019 Champions League final and moved into their new stadium that April. In May 2025 they beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League. They finished 17th in the Premier League in 2025-26, and Roberto De Zerbi became head coach on 31 March 2026.

Sources

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (Wikipedia); Roberto De Zerbi joins (official).