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The North London Derby Part 1: History
The local rivalry between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC, better known as the North London Derby, is still noted as one of the most vicious and spiky rivalries in English football. The bitterness between the two clubs has never seemed to pale, and over the past two decades the spite has only increased between the two sets of fans...
07-Jul-2008 5:46:22 PM
The Rivalry Begins...
The first meeting on the football pitch between these two teams can be traced back to 1887, when the match was abandoned 15 minutes before the end due to ‘darkness’, with Spurs leading 2-1. Tottenham had been founded 5 years earlier in 1882, and Arsenal in 1886. Arsenal were then known as “Royal Arsenal”, and played their football in Plumstead, south-east London, at the Manor Ground. Tottenham, on the other hand hadn’t shifted to White Hart Lane as yet, and played their home games at Tottenham Marshes.
Spurs made their move to White Hart Lane in 1899, and Arsenal shifted to Highbury, four miles from the Lane, in 1913. They in turn became each other’s closest neighbours, and so a natural local rivalry took root. Even though the rivalry had been formed, the initial years lacked that bite and ferocity that we associate it with these days. However, all that was about to change in 1919, with an incident that no Spurs fan will forget.
After the World War ended in 1919, it had been decided that the First Division be expanded by 2 teams. The League decided that these 2 teams would be selected on the basis of voting. Chelsea, who had finished 19th and would have been otherwise relegated, were allowed to stay up and hence filled one of those two extra slots. The second spot seemed likely to go to Tottenham, who had finished 20th, or to Burnley, who were in 3rd place in the Second Division. Arsenal, despite finishing only 6th in the Second Division, also placed a bid for that second spot.
The then League President and Liverpool Chairman John McKenna endorsed Arsenal’s bid on account of their longer membership of the League, and the voting took place. As the situation would have it, Arsenal received 18 votes to Spurs’ 8, and were promoted to the top flight. The decision infuriated Tottenham and its fans, who were left licking their wounds as their local rivals literally snatched their place among the cream of English football (Ironically, Tottenham had themselves been promoted to the top flight in 1908 even though they finished 7th in the Second Division, at the expense of Queen’s Park Rangers).
Till today, it is often alleged that Arsenal’s charismatic Chairman at the time, Sir Henry Norris, brought about the promotion by under-the-table dealings, and various other dubious means. Arsenal fans, however, weren’t complaining, and the club never got relegated again. Spurs didn’t take time in recovering from the aforementioned incident, and gained promotion a year later in 1920. They then won the first fully competitive derby match against Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane in January, 1921.
The passion and commitment with which the derbies were played could not be understated. The fans, owing to the history between the two teams, made each match a memorable occasion, and ensured that their players fought for their pride on the pitch. The bitterness boiled over on a number of occasions, with a particularly vicious match in 1922 resulted in both clubs being censured by the FA, and were also threatened with being forced to play behind closed doors.
The two clubs have been playing regularly against each other ever since, except for a few periods. Spurs plied their trade in the Second Division between 1928-1933 & 1935-1950, as a result of which the meetings between the two rivals became less frequent. Since then however, there has only been one season (1977-78) when the two teams haven’t been in the same division. Relations between the respective administrators too, improved after the Second World War, as Spurs allowed Arsenal to play their matches at White Hart Lane for a period of time due to the bombing at Highbury during the war.
More Recently…
As Arsenal grew more and more successful during George Graham’s reign and then during Wenger’s time, Spurs fans naturally felt a larger sense of resentment towards their local rivals. There was also a sense of frustration creeping in as they had beaten Arsenal only 6 times in 23 matches throughout the 90’s and failed to win even a single game against them between 1999 and 2008.
Then there was the infamous transfer of Spurs’ homegrown defender Sol Campbell to Arsenal in 2001, which turned into an acrimonious affair, with the player being nicknamed “Judas” by Spurs fans. There were other players who were notably despised by rival fans too, such as Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, and Teddy Sheringham. Till today, Arsenal fans jeer at any former Tottenham player at their stadium, and vice versa.
During the 2005-06 Season, Spurs finally looked like they would banish all those painful memories of being in their local rivals’ shadow for years, when they were in pole position all season to clinch the 4th and final Champions League spot in the Premier League. Arsenal were suffering from indifferent form throughout the season, and were languishing between 5th-8th for most of that time. Wenger’s men, however rediscovered their winning touch March onwards, and took the battle to the last day. Arsenal were playing Wigan in the last game to be played at Highbury, and they needed to better Spurs’ result, who were away at West Ham, in order to finish above them in the table. Unfortunately for Spurs, a number of their players suffered food poisoning just two days prior to the fixture, and were forced to play with a largely second string side. As a result, they lost their game to West Ham, and a Thierry Henry inspired Arsenal beat Wigan 4-2 to clinch 4th place and give Highbury a grand farewell.
Now and ahead…
Spurs have remained dangerous and a difficult side to beat for the past 4 years, but they had to wait until January 2008 before they could finally taste victory against the men in red and white. On the road to Carling Cup glory in 2007-08, they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in the second leg of the semi finals at White Hart Lane, sending their fans into delirium, and in the process healing many wounds of the recent and distant past.
Arsenal, after two 4th place finishes in 2006 and 2007, put together a great season in the league in 07-08, and finished just 4 points behind winners Manchester United. Spurs on the other hand, had a forgettable league campaign, but were able to seal a spot in the UEFA Cup by virtue of being winners of the Carling Cup, under the tutelage of Juande Ramos. Spurs have also made a few exciting signings in the summer, and while Arsenal struggle financially due to the debt of their new stadium, this rivalry looks set to produce some memorable contests in the near future.
Atishay Agarwal
The first meeting on the football pitch between these two teams can be traced back to 1887, when the match was abandoned 15 minutes before the end due to ‘darkness’, with Spurs leading 2-1. Tottenham had been founded 5 years earlier in 1882, and Arsenal in 1886. Arsenal were then known as “Royal Arsenal”, and played their football in Plumstead, south-east London, at the Manor Ground. Tottenham, on the other hand hadn’t shifted to White Hart Lane as yet, and played their home games at Tottenham Marshes.
Spurs made their move to White Hart Lane in 1899, and Arsenal shifted to Highbury, four miles from the Lane, in 1913. They in turn became each other’s closest neighbours, and so a natural local rivalry took root. Even though the rivalry had been formed, the initial years lacked that bite and ferocity that we associate it with these days. However, all that was about to change in 1919, with an incident that no Spurs fan will forget.
After the World War ended in 1919, it had been decided that the First Division be expanded by 2 teams. The League decided that these 2 teams would be selected on the basis of voting. Chelsea, who had finished 19th and would have been otherwise relegated, were allowed to stay up and hence filled one of those two extra slots. The second spot seemed likely to go to Tottenham, who had finished 20th, or to Burnley, who were in 3rd place in the Second Division. Arsenal, despite finishing only 6th in the Second Division, also placed a bid for that second spot.
The then League President and Liverpool Chairman John McKenna endorsed Arsenal’s bid on account of their longer membership of the League, and the voting took place. As the situation would have it, Arsenal received 18 votes to Spurs’ 8, and were promoted to the top flight. The decision infuriated Tottenham and its fans, who were left licking their wounds as their local rivals literally snatched their place among the cream of English football (Ironically, Tottenham had themselves been promoted to the top flight in 1908 even though they finished 7th in the Second Division, at the expense of Queen’s Park Rangers).
Till today, it is often alleged that Arsenal’s charismatic Chairman at the time, Sir Henry Norris, brought about the promotion by under-the-table dealings, and various other dubious means. Arsenal fans, however, weren’t complaining, and the club never got relegated again. Spurs didn’t take time in recovering from the aforementioned incident, and gained promotion a year later in 1920. They then won the first fully competitive derby match against Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane in January, 1921.
The passion and commitment with which the derbies were played could not be understated. The fans, owing to the history between the two teams, made each match a memorable occasion, and ensured that their players fought for their pride on the pitch. The bitterness boiled over on a number of occasions, with a particularly vicious match in 1922 resulted in both clubs being censured by the FA, and were also threatened with being forced to play behind closed doors.
The two clubs have been playing regularly against each other ever since, except for a few periods. Spurs plied their trade in the Second Division between 1928-1933 & 1935-1950, as a result of which the meetings between the two rivals became less frequent. Since then however, there has only been one season (1977-78) when the two teams haven’t been in the same division. Relations between the respective administrators too, improved after the Second World War, as Spurs allowed Arsenal to play their matches at White Hart Lane for a period of time due to the bombing at Highbury during the war.
More Recently…
As Arsenal grew more and more successful during George Graham’s reign and then during Wenger’s time, Spurs fans naturally felt a larger sense of resentment towards their local rivals. There was also a sense of frustration creeping in as they had beaten Arsenal only 6 times in 23 matches throughout the 90’s and failed to win even a single game against them between 1999 and 2008.
Then there was the infamous transfer of Spurs’ homegrown defender Sol Campbell to Arsenal in 2001, which turned into an acrimonious affair, with the player being nicknamed “Judas” by Spurs fans. There were other players who were notably despised by rival fans too, such as Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, and Teddy Sheringham. Till today, Arsenal fans jeer at any former Tottenham player at their stadium, and vice versa.
During the 2005-06 Season, Spurs finally looked like they would banish all those painful memories of being in their local rivals’ shadow for years, when they were in pole position all season to clinch the 4th and final Champions League spot in the Premier League. Arsenal were suffering from indifferent form throughout the season, and were languishing between 5th-8th for most of that time. Wenger’s men, however rediscovered their winning touch March onwards, and took the battle to the last day. Arsenal were playing Wigan in the last game to be played at Highbury, and they needed to better Spurs’ result, who were away at West Ham, in order to finish above them in the table. Unfortunately for Spurs, a number of their players suffered food poisoning just two days prior to the fixture, and were forced to play with a largely second string side. As a result, they lost their game to West Ham, and a Thierry Henry inspired Arsenal beat Wigan 4-2 to clinch 4th place and give Highbury a grand farewell.
Now and ahead…
Spurs have remained dangerous and a difficult side to beat for the past 4 years, but they had to wait until January 2008 before they could finally taste victory against the men in red and white. On the road to Carling Cup glory in 2007-08, they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in the second leg of the semi finals at White Hart Lane, sending their fans into delirium, and in the process healing many wounds of the recent and distant past.
Arsenal, after two 4th place finishes in 2006 and 2007, put together a great season in the league in 07-08, and finished just 4 points behind winners Manchester United. Spurs on the other hand, had a forgettable league campaign, but were able to seal a spot in the UEFA Cup by virtue of being winners of the Carling Cup, under the tutelage of Juande Ramos. Spurs have also made a few exciting signings in the summer, and while Arsenal struggle financially due to the debt of their new stadium, this rivalry looks set to produce some memorable contests in the near future.
Atishay Agarwal
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