Spurs fan John, 87, completes The Dare Skywalk: “It was fantastic!”

At 87-years-young, 76 of those a Spurs fan, John Day probably felt like he’d seen it all.

He’d seen the Second World War unfold as a young man growing up in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, first visiting White Hart Lane aged 13 in 1947. He’d seen us win titles in 1950 and 1951, the double and the glory, glory years of the 1960s, more silverware in the early 1970s and early 1980s, and all those great, great players down the years. He’d seen attendances touch 70,000 - and occasionally go over that - at the old Lane, and then a new dawn with the arrival of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019.

And it’s at our world-class new home where John’s eyes were opened yet again where - once again, at 87 - he stepped out at the top of the South Stand as part of The Dare Skywalk with his daughter, Anne.

“The new stadium is fantastic, the best in the world, and when my daughter told me that there was a Skywalk I said, ‘count me in!’,” John told us. “It was a must, and I’m still getting over it! Words fail me. It was an experience which I am glad I had and I’m glad I didn’t miss it. Fantastic!

“I didn’t realise the cockerel was 14 foot tall! We also had a fantastic guide. Standing above the ground was excellent and the skyline and everything about it was brilliant.”

John’s daughter and fellow Spurs fan Anne added: “I thought the Skywalk was amazing! Every day I am proud of my dad, and I was so incredibly proud that, at 87, he climbed it with me. What an experience! The views from the top were fantastic, standing in front of the cockerel, 46.8 metres high, looking over the pitch was unbelievable. Dad’s enthusiasm meant everything!”

Like many fans, Spurs was all about family for John, who explained: “My Dad (Clem) was a Spurs supporter. Luckily, my older brother (Mick) and my cousin (Chris) didn’t have any influence on me, as they were both Gooners! Also, Spurs were the nearest professional team to where I used to live (Newgate Street, Cuffley).

“I started supporting Spurs when I was 11 years old, and I am now 87. I remember at school and at the weekends going over to the park to play football and we all had our various teams. Obviously, mine was Spurs.

“I can’t remember my first game exactly as it’s too far back! But I can remember a few names of the players that I saw play like Vic Buckingham, Ted Ditchburn, Ronnie Burgess, Len Duquemin, Alf Ramsey and Bill Nicholson, they were some of the stand-out players of that time.

“The glory, glory years of the 1960s were good times! The players were brilliant, and Bill Nicholson was one of the best managers. My wife and I had a Lambretta (moped) and would travel from our village in Hertfordshire to go to White Hart Lane. Then we would go to The Lane in our ‘Bubble’ car draped in Spurs flags and then in later years by train.

“In those days it was 1/6 (old money) admission and if you wanted to go in the enclosure, it was another 6d (about 18p + 6p in new money). A programme, which was just one white sheet, was 3p, not like the brilliant programmes we have today!

“It was a very exciting time. I wasn’t able to go to see every match so I would listen to the radio to find out the scores. I would have loved to have gone to every match, I just couldn’t, but I was always there in heart! The Club means everything to me, and that is why I have been supporting them for 76 years!”