The Fighting Cock by Martin Cloake
There are some great independent Spurs blogs and podcasts being produced at the moment and I always try to make my small contribution to raising their profile when I can. Lately I’ve been picking up on The Fighting Cock and the 1882 movement. I’ve followed a couple of the lads involved on Twitter and recognise some names from back in the day on the old TopSpurs message board, and there’s a real energy to what they are doing.
I’m going to sound as old as I feel when I’m listening to the podcast now but it’s really encouraging to hear what sounds like a new generation creating something and questioning the blandification of modern football. The Fighting Cock is above all passionate about Spurs, but there’s a recognition of the bigger picture that chimes with a growing feeling that’s coalescing around the Stand Against Modern Football initiative. Having come from a generation at Spurs that, despite our fanzine experience and efforts with various independent supporter initiatives, has not really made the impression we once thought we could, what’s most encouraging is the can-do spirit that pervades The Fighting Cock crew. They are a reminder of what football supporters are capable of, and of a spirit that is, in one of the great Steve Perryman’s favourite words, “proper”.

1882: It’s Intoxicating
I arrived home on Thursday night after the Europa League game to FC Sheriff, suffering from a cold and exhausted but whilst I was giving the lowdown to my wife on the Spurs game I had just been to she asked, “How much have you drunk tonight?” I hadn’t touched a drop. I realised the reason for her question; I was euphoric – in the kind of delirium that, at least my wife says, only accompanies me when I have had a few drinks (I would like to state that this is in no way true and I don’t endorse the belief […]