SPURS IN THEIR HERTS: WHERE LOYALTY LIVES

June 13, 2025

“I started tearing up, I couldn’t hold it back. The genuine realisation that my boyhood club, who I’ve seen fail at the final hurdle, who I’ve travelled far and wide for, were about to win the UEFA Cup.”

In the days following Tottenham’s dramatic Europa League final win, Shipton & Gibbons hit the streets of Hertford and Ware, Hertfordshire — AKA Herts — traditional Spurs strongholds, to meet the fans living and breathing the afterglow of European glory.

From lifelong supporters to the new generation, we photographed and spoke to locals whose stories show just how deep the love for Spurs runs in these towns.

Zack: The Lone Spurs Fan

Zack grew up in an Arsenal-supporting household — his dad’s side of the family are all Gunners. But everything changed the day his grandad, John, took him to his first Spurs match:

“It was against Man City at the old White Hart Lane. The atmosphere hooked me in — and I loved spending time with my Grandad.”

From that moment on, Zack was converted. His decision to swap allegiances shocked the family:

“They were asking why I wanted to switch teams. I didn’t even fully understand the rivalry at the time.”

There’s always been speculation that Grandad John bribed him, but Zack laughs that off:

“No, he didn’t bribe me. He just wanted me to come and support Spurs.”

Still, being the only Spurs fan in a family full of Arsenal diehards hasn’t always been easy:

“Of course I’ve felt outnumbered — I’d always want Arsenal to lose while my cousins were the opposite. I’ve gotten loads of stick over the years. They’d call Spurs a banter club, always going on about how we hadn’t won a trophy in 17 years.”

But Wednesday night changed everything. When Spurs lifted the Europa League trophy, it wasn’t just about silverware — it was vindication:

“Winning a European trophy was very special. It made all the stick worth it.”

And through it all, his relationship with John has only grown stronger:

“Spurs brought us closer — that’s all we talk about. We go to every home game together. And when we’re away, he always comes round to watch.”

When asked who had the better season — Spurs or Arsenal — Zack was certain in his response:

“Spurs. Arsenal’s aim at the start of the season was to win the league, and they failed. Our aim was to win the Europa League — and we did.

“Yes, we finished 17th and they finished 2nd, but if you asked most Spurs fans whether they’d rather finish top five with no trophy or 17th and win one, they’d say trophy. The wait had gone on far too long.”

John: “Didn’t Want My End of the Family Supporting Arsenal”

For John, steering Zack away from Arsenal was instinctive:

“Just didn’t want my end of the family supporting Arsenal — the opposition!” he laughs.

What followed was years of games, travel, and a bond rooted in much more than just the club:

“Zack lives and breathes football and Spurs. 15 to 20 of us from Hertford, Ware, and the wider Hertfordshire area, friends I’ve known for years, all travel up together for the games. Everyone loves Zack’s company.”

When asked for a favourite memory, John answered without missing a beat:

“Oh my god — every game. Zack’s sheer enthusiasm is infectious.”

He’s also got stories of his own in a Spurs kit. One moment in particular lives on — and it just so happens to be the same kit we shot him in:

“A mate of mine organised a charity game at White Hart Lane. I bid for a chance to play and ended up winning! They stuck me in the goal, and I let in four goals in the first half.”

The photo from that day now hangs proudly on the wall of the Quiet Man pub.

Henry: “So This Is What It Feels Like, Huh?!”

“And as that whistle blew, an outpouring of tears and joy commenced. Our Tottenham — Europa League winners! A feeling I just cannot describe after going through so much pain and disappointment. So this is what it feels like, huh?!”

For Henry, the road to Bilbao wasn’t just about football. It was about legacy:

“When Dad told me he’d been to both of Tottenham’s previous UEFA Cup triumphs, it got me thinking. Could luck be on our side for a third time?”

Without hesitation, he entered the ballot and secured two tickets to the final — one for him and one to surprise his Dad.

The weight of the moment didn’t hit him until the 96th minute:

The city of Bilbao became part of the magic:

“The Basques, the locals, were amazing. So kind, friendly, and welcoming. People in the streets and in bars were constantly congratulating us.”

And after full-time, as fans poured out of the stadium in disbelief, Henry and his Dad made one last memory:

“This Europa League sign caught my eye. So Dad and I ripped it off and took it home. We had to cut it in half to get it in my suitcase — but it’s coming with me. I’m going to stick photos from the trip onto it. A proper reminder of that night.”

“Genuinely… the best day of my life.”

Leo: “Monkey Off My Back”

Leo runs a butcher’s in Ware — a local spot where football chat is as common as the orders. And Wednesday night’s final? It meant everything:

“I know for the neutrals out there, it wasn’t a spectacular final. But as a fan, it was massive.”

For Leo, the turning point was clear:

“Van de Ven’s save off the line — that was my moment. From then on, the final whistle couldn’t come quick enough.”

Years of frustration lifted in one night:

“I’m now a very proud supporter with a monkey off my back.”

Jessie: “It Still Feels Like a Dream”

Jessie watched the final from Tottenham’s own ground — but by the end of the night, he was on the pitch, heart racing and hands full:

“My heart felt like it was going to come out of my chest. It still feels like a dream — such a surreal feeling, one I’ll remember and cherish for the rest of my life.”

Caught in the moment, he couldn’t leave empty-handed:

“I got on that pitch and had to grab a couple souvenirs — some grass for my garden, and I helped myself to a ball boy’s stool while I was at it.”

“Honestly, the best day of my entire life.”

Ben: “All the Pain Was Worth It”

Having only landed back in the UK at 7 am after being in Bilbao for the final, we caught Ben draped in a Spurs flag and rushing to that afternoon’s victory parade:

“All I can say is,” he grinned, “it’s made all the painful trips home from White Hart Lane worth it.”

Ellis: “A Reason to Be Proud Again”

We met Ellis in a pub not far from the station in Ware, where he was joined by a bar full of Tottenham fans — all sneaking in a quick pint before catching the train into London for the victory parade.

His bucket hat stuck out to us immediately:

“The win means absolutely everything. After the season we’ve had, it gives us all a reason to be proud again. COYS!”

Keth: “We’re Not So Spursy Anymore”

For Keth, Wednesday night’s victory was more relief than pure excitement:

“The longer the trophy drought continued, the more pressure there was on the club, the players, and those poor supporters.”

He remembers watching Ricky Villa’s legendary FA Cup goal back in ’81 — a moment etched in Spurs history:

“I was behind the goal when he turned one way, then the other, then back again to slot that magical goal in.”

A frank fan with strong opinions, Keth isn’t a fan of Daniel Levy:

“There’s no argument — he’s an incredible businessman. The best stadium in the world, millions made from boxing, concerts, even a pitch that elevates for American football. It’s mind-blowing!”

“What’s the point of having a Ferrari on the drive if you have no petrol in it?”

It’s a metaphor he’s used for years — and one that hits harder this season. With Spurs finishing 17th in the league, only the Europa League win, and the Champions League millions that follow, saved the story:

“I feel my friend Mr. Levy has got out of jail big time.”

Now the question remains:

“Will he finally put petrol in the Ferrari to take Spurs to the next level? Because the fans deserve it!”

And in case you’re wondering about the name — yes, it’s Keth, not Keith. He’s only got one eye, and his mates have leaned into the humour: on the back of his shirt, “Keith” is printed with the “I” cheekily blocked out with a bit of tape.

At least one thing’s for sure:

“We’re not so Spursy anymore.”

Sophia: “It wasn’t that fun… but we won!”

On the high street in Hertford, we met 10-year-old Sophia out with her friends and their dog, Bella — proudly wearing her Spurs shirt with “10 Sophia” on the back:

“I watched the final with my dad,” she told us. “It wasn’t that fun… but we won!”

When asked her favourite player, she didn’t hesitate:

“Son is a LEGEND!”

Vinny: “It’s in the Blood”

We met Vinny on his bike, donning his Spurs cap proudly. He shared his plans to head straight to the parade, soaking up every last bit of the celebration:

“Being a Tottenham fan is massive — my whole family have supported them. Growing up, there was nothing better than going to the stadium with the old man.”

Reflecting on the celebrations, he said:

“The parade was brilliant — best couple of days of my life. Seeing the boys enjoying it, the manager and staff enjoying it. It’s what we’ve needed. It’s been 17 years, and now we’ve made history.”