Tottenham Hotspur's 10 Greatest Footballers of All Time

Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most iconic football clubs around, not only in London and England but throughout the whole world.

They have enjoyed great success in their 137-year history, winning two league titles across the 1950s and 1960s and also triumphing in continental competitions, though they have struggled for silverware in more recent times.

A fair few talented and mercurial players have strutted their stuff for Spurs in north London, but the stars below are the definitive top ten in their long history.


10. Ricky Villa

Ricky Villa

Tottenham Career: 1978-1983

Villa grew up playing football in Argentina and had obtained the nickname 'God' at the age of 18 due to his long hair and prominent beard, as well as the fact that he possessed the clutch ability to score whenever a goal was needed.

After he won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, ​Tottenham brought him to White Hart Lane. The Argentine scored on his debut and went on to make 133 appearances for the club from 1978 to 1983.

He famously bagged the winning goal in the FA Cup final replay against Manchester City in 1981 - which was later named the Wembley Goal of the Century - and was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame in 2008.

Major Achievements: FA Cup


9. Ossie Ardiles 

Ossie Ardiles of Tottenham Hotspur and David Rocastle of Arsenal

Tottenham Career: 1978-1988


As a player, it's got to be a great feeling having your own song. 'Ossie's Dream', one of the most famous examples, was a single released by Spurs to commemorate the team reaching the 1981 FA Cup final, and it's still sung fondly by Spurs fans to this day.


Ardiles won the World Cup, joined Spurs and was inducted into the Tottenham Hall of Fame all at the same time as compatriot Ricky Villa.


On April 3 1982, Ardiles helped Spurs beat ​Aston Villa 2-0 in the FA Cup semi final and two days later he left for Argentina during from the Falklands War. However, he returned a year later to help them win the UEFA Cup.


Major Achievements: FA Cup, UEFA Cup


8. Harry Kane

Harry Kane

Tottenham Career: 2009-Present 

Arguably Tottenham's best player of the last five years, Kane is a born goalscorer. With 136 strikes in 201 league appearances, it's easy to see that. 

He boasts two Premier League Golden Boots but is yet to win a major trophy with the club, despite coming so close in the Champions League last year.


Renowned for being 'one of their own', Kane is already a hero in north London, but if he can get his hands on a major trophy then that reputation will only increase.

Major Achievements: Tottenham Player of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot (x2)


7. Cliff Jones

Ron Henry,Cliff Jones,Dave Mackay,Jimmy Greaves

Tottenham Career: 1958-1968

Despite breaking his leg in 1958, Jones was considered one of the best wingers in the world during his time at Tottenham.


A hard worker and a prolific goalscorer, Jones bagged 159 goals in 378 appearances, making him the fifth top goalscorer in the club's history. He was an important part of the most successful Spurs side in history that won a league and FA Cup double in 1961.


Major Achievements: First Division, FA Cup (x3) UEFA Cup Winners' Cup


6. Dave Mackay

Dave Mackay

Tottenham Career: 1959-1968

Known as the heartbeat of the team in the 1960s, Mackay was a much appreciated player in Tottenham's best ever side. His determination and skill contributed to their double in 1961 and the club's further successes until he left after nine years in 1968.

Renowned for his shouting and fearlessness, he demanded total commitment from his teammates. Mackay broke his left leg twice in two years but returned and helped Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 in the 1967 FA Cup final.

Brian Clough described Mackay as Tottenham's greatest ever player in 2003, highlighting the legendary Scotsman's ability and influence.

Major AchievementsFirst Division, FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup


5. Pat Jennings

Pat Jennings

Tottenham Career: 1964-1977

Jennings was a special goalkeeper, and not just because he scored from his own box in the 1967 Charity Shield against Manchester United. In his 13 years at Spurs, he played a staggering 591 times in all competitions.

The Northern Irishman was the first goalkeeper to win the PFA Player of the Year award in 1976 and is now only one of two keepers to win it - the other being Peter Shilton.

Major AchievementsFA Cup, League Cup (x2), UEFA Cup


4. Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne of Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Career: 1988-1992

Described by the National Football Museum as 'widely recognised as the most naturally English footballer of this generation', Gazza was one hell of a footballer.

He netted 33 times during a positive four years at White Hart Lane after joining from Newcastle in 1988 for a then-British record transfer fee of £2.2m, one of them being that famous free kick against Arsenal.

He also impressed as part of the England team that finished fourth at the 1990 World Cup and reached the semi finals of the Euros in 1996. One of the highest points of his career came against Scotland at Euro 96, where he scored a stunning, instinctive volley.

Major Achievements: Tottenham Player of the Season, FA Cup 


3. Danny Blanchflower

Danny Blanchflower

Tottenham Career: 1954-1964

Captain. Leader. Legend.

Blanchflower wore the captain's armband during Tottenham's brilliant league double-winning season. During his ten-year spell at the club, he made an impressive 337 league appearances and was a hugely positive influence.

The midfielder was also known for his great quotes, which included: "Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” This reinforced his inspiring leadership skills on top of his brilliant passing and ability to dictate the tempo of a game.


Major Achievements: First Division, FA Cup (x2) UEFA Cup Winners' Cup


2. Jimmy Greaves

Jimmy Greaves

Tottenham Career: 1961-1970

One of the best attackers in English history, Greaves was the definition of a prolific goalscorer. His lethal finishing saw him score a ridiculous 266 goals for Spurs, contributing to an English top flight record of 357 goals - before the days of the Premier League, that is.

The striker won five trophies at the club during his nine-year spell before moving to West Ham. 'Greavsie', a film documenting his life, premiered on BT Sport on February 18, two days before he turned 80.

Major Achievements: FA Cup (x2), UEFA Cup Winners' Cup


1. Glenn Hoddle

Glenn Hoddle of Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Career: 1975-1987

Despite his wonderful career, Hoddle's greatest achievement was the release of pop single 'Diamond Lights' with England and Tottenham teammate Chris Waddle which reached number 12 in the charts, showcasing his talent as a musical artist. 

In all seriousness, the BT Sport pundit made 377 appearances for Spurs, grabbing 88 goals along the way before he moved to Monaco in 1987. He had been with the club since he was 12 and proved his ability with a sensational strike on his First Division debut, smashing one past Stoke goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

An integral part of the team that achieved glittering success in the 1980s, Hoddle was a creative and gifted footballer, though his stats don't tell the whole story.

Major Achievements: FA Cup (x2), UEFA Cup Winners' Cup


Source : 90min