White Hart Lane Finale uncovers a Bill Nicholson player

THE SOLE AIM OF THE AUCTION IS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE TOTTENHAM TRIBUTE TRUST, AN INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CHARITY ESTABLISHED TO HELP FORMER PLAYERS AND STAFF WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN TIMES OF NEED. THE TOTTENHAM TRIBUTE TRUST HAS PREVIOUSLY HELPED THE LIKES OF CLUB LEGENDS LES ALLEN, BOBBY SMITH AND DAVE MACKAY TO NAME JUST A FEW.

Auction items include signed, match worn shirts uniquely featuring the Tottenham Tribute Trust’s emblem and with less than 48 hours to go the auction has already raised in excess of £55,000.

As well as raising funds for the Tribute Trust, the featuring of the charity’s logo on the match day shirts and the warm up tops worn for the Manchester United game has led to an immediate and remarkable outcome. It truly helped to raise global awareness of the unique charity.

Trustee Lauren Crader, explained, “The day after The Finale the Tribute Trust was contacted by Julia Hoy, whose husband Roger was a player during the Bill Nicholson era at Spurs. Mrs Hoy explained that as a very young girl she was a regular on the terraces at White Hart Lane. By sheer coincidence, as a young woman she met and married Roger. The couple have since emigrated to Australia after an injury caused Roger’s retirement from the game. Still a fan herself, she had been watching the final game at White Hart Lane on TV in Australia, when she heard the commentators mention the Tribute Trust logo on the shirts. With Roger now in permanent residential care, she googled and researched the charity and then contacted us.”

Lauren explained that the Trust, having quickly assessed Roger’s situation are now able to offer assistance towards the costs of his residential care.

Tribute Trust Chairman Jonathan Adelman said, “We knew the the Club’s decision to make the Tribute Trust the designated charity for the Finale would help us raise much needed funds, not just from the auction but from the sale of thousands of commemorative pin badges, the special edition programme and proceeds of sales of their seats to season ticket holders. We further hoped the publicity from having our emblem on the match shirts, would help us increase awareness with our fans and former players. It is however quite remarkable that as a direct result of the Finale we have been able to reconnect with, and help, a member of Bill’s playing staff living literally on the other side of the world. Once again, our thanks are extended to AIA and The Club for facilitating the opportunity for this to occur”.