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”.
Why can’t we get a squad together?
Throughout my life Tottenham have never had a properly rounded squad. I’m approaching thirty now, and ever since I can remember there have been gaping holes in the first team and yet some positions have experienced overcrowding akin to rush hour on the Victoria Line. We are talking real feast and famine, and I cannot fathom why. Back in the mid-nineties the squad was, to be honest, s**t. Then, when David Ginola left, we had no left winger pretty much until Gareth Bale arrived. Under Martin Jol, when the team started to pick up, we had no left side, with […]
The evolution of Gareth Frank Bale
What sets apart Bale’s Player of the Year award from those of Ginola or Klinsmann’s? What is it about the two latter awards that, whilst making me reminisce on what achingly wonderful players they both undoubtedly were (and probably still are) just don’t offer the same kind of moment of almost paternal pride that this weeks awards did? The answer is simple although layered; Ginola and Klinsmann joined us as established players, one a world class forward who had almost won the lot. Ginola was a superstar for Newcastle, and the Premier League. When the pair signed for us, they […]
Ratings: Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 2 April 2013
Another month, another undefeated month, our worst month of the season. Bizarre, to say the least but this has been our lowest rated month with 6.09, beating the previous worst of 6.14 in November. We were knocked out of the Europa League on penalties after two 2-2 draws and won 1 and drew 2 of our three Premier League games, all games ending with 4 goals. We beat last season’s champions 3-1 but this was only our 15th best match of the season, even surpassed by a 0-0 draw vs Lazio back in September. The 6.80 in this game and […]
Kriss Kross, Spurs and 90’s Disco Pop
It may not be a “where were you when you heard” moment, but the death of Chris Kelly, one half of Kris Kross still resonates. When I look back to my youth, I remember fondly attempting to dance and rap to “Jump” at my first year 7 disco, it was a song perfect for that time. Unfortunately, most of the 90’s wasn’t that great for the Spurs. With Kelly now chilling alongside other great rappers such as 2Pac, Biggie and Scatman John, perhaps its time to reflect how the music from the 90’s related to the Spurs of that time? […]