Artist’s Eye View of the Victory Parade

Did it happen or is this all an Aussie’s dream? He called it and what a feeling it has been celebrating Spurs Europa League win these last couple of weeks. As I type it’s almost a fortnight since the final and I’m still on cloud nine, still enjoying watching clips of Sonny lifting the trophy and still reliving the open top bus parade down the High Road.

I’m a professional artist and on the weekend before the final I was in Liverpool on a painting trip to capture the farewell to Goodison in oil paints. It was an inspiring experience and I was so impressed with the turnout from the Everton supporters and the feel good, celebratory mood they brought with them as thousands welcomed the players’ coach to the ground. The weather was great, the fans were on top form and I was squeezed into a tiny space painting as quickly as I could to capture the atmosphere and record a piece of footballing history. I felt privileged to be there.

The entire time outside Goodison I was thinking, hoping, praying, that Spurs would win the upcoming final and I’d be able to do a similar thing at Tottenham – but this time it would be my club making it extra special. Well, hallelujah! We won! And I made immediate plans to take my paints to the victory parade party on the Friday.

The first thing that struck me when I walked out of Seven Sisters underground station at about 3pm that afternoon was the large number of fans already making their way to the parade route. Not only that but there was a good number of stewards and police. Despite thousands of supporters turning out at Goodison there wasn’t a steward in sight and only closer to kick off time did police appear. The reason I noted the numbers of security at Spurs was because I was concerned I wouldn’t be allowed to set up my painting box. That would be hugely disappointing. I was desperate to capture the celebration in oils – the perfect painting medium to record this moment in history because of its longevity. Paintings make great heirlooms which if you come from a Spurs supporting family and plan to continue that tradition with generations to come, an oil painting is ideal.

Fortunately I needn’t have feared being asked to pack up my kit as I found the perfect spot to paint on the corner of Lansdowne Road. The bus would travel towards me and I’d have a great view of the stadium in the background. I chatted to a couple of stewards as I set up to get them onside and all was well.

One of the best things about plein air painting (outdoor from life) is meeting people and having conversations about painting and on this occasion conversations about Spurs. My two favourite things to talk about! I met a couple of brothers in their late teens/early twenties who could barely remember 2008! I can remember 1991! I also chatted with a lovely couple who had been married 40+ years and whose first date was at The Lane. They now live in Perth, Australia but made it over for the victory parade! That’s decades dedication to marriage and Spurs!

The painting developed and eventually I had to stop and wait like everyone else for the bus to arrive. I’d need to take reference photos for that part of the painting so I moved my easel over the barrier and created a bit more space for people to get closer to the road. I was then able to soak up the atmosphere even more and fully join in the celebrations as the players and staff drove by in the gloriously decorated open top bus. What a moment! It was fleeting but sweet and the best thing is I’ve been able to lock down the moment and the memories in paint.

As supporters began to disperse and head to train stations I continued to paint using my reference photos to help me develop the work on the High Road until light disappeared. It meant I was able to have more conversations with people and I met loads of very happy Tottenham Hotspur fans. One couple in particular stopped for a chat and I felt immediately comfortable to share with them how I was a Spurs fan because of my dad who was a season ticket holder for years in the 70s and early 80s. He was also an artist so that’s two things he passed down to me that I’m incredibly grateful for. I told them how he had died tragically and unexpectedly at the age of 38, one week after Spurs won the 1984 UEFA Cup. It somehow made winning this trophy again after 41 years all the sweeter.

Ultimately that’s what being a football fan is all about. I feel connected to my dad through supporting Spurs. I have so many connections with friends and family through a mutual love of this club. The football story with its ups and downs will never guarantee happiness or satisfaction but whatever is happening on the pitch the connection to people continues forever. It is these moments of glory that stay with us and give us memories to share and reminisce over for decades to come and for future generations who are yet to fall in love with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

I’m glad I was there to record it all in paint. Come on you Spurs!

Original Oil Painting of Spurs Victory Parade
Limited Edition Prints of Spurs Victory Parade