Ok, having said how I’m nostalgia-immune from the whole White Hart Lane thing, I’m now basking in the stuff. Positively wallowing. The little vignette they showed yesterday before the ‘legends’ walked onto the pitch in the pouring rain was wonderful. And so many times I called out (to no-one really, Mel was busy nearby but is generally football-intolerant so didn’t care). The 1972 UEFA cup final, Paul Robinson’s goal against Watford (I was behind him that day in the away fans’ bit, for some reason), Younis Kaboul’s equaliser in the 4-4 100th anniversary match against Villa… that was my life. Til Lila came along, of course.

So yesterday I went and watched the game with Lila. And it was uncanny. Even though she never appeared to be paying the slightest bit of attention to the on-field activity on the tv screen, her influence was unmistakably profound. She sneezed, we scored. She smiled, we hit the bar. Dele Alli had an amazing dribble into the box; Lila had dribble down her chin. Frikkin unbelievable. I really don’t think I’m reading too much into this. Though some say that Lila and Spurs is my own, personal version of images of Jesus in a chocolate cake. Difference is: I believe in Lila.

And we won the game. The last EVERRRRR at old White Hart Lane. Because they keep saying that there’ll be ‘no more White Hart Lane’. But the new ground is precisely, all but about 6 metres, where the old ground is. But will undoubtedly be called THE BETFAIR!! or THE CATHAY PACIFIC!! or THE GOOGLE!!! or THE LILA!!! depending on who we screw more money out of for the ‘naming rights’. Its big biz these days. First comes the corporate-isation of the ground, because corporate punters pay lots more than mere mortals. Unfortuately they’re much fatter so need bigger seats. Then you build them 15 fancy restaurants to eat their prawn sandwiches in, install the executive toilets with free wi-fi and even (so I’ve seen on the plans) real toilet paper! Then, with whatever meagre space is left over, you shoe-horn in a few paupers. The real fans. The ones who can only afford to pay £125 a ticket to see their beloved team play Stoke.

Then they spend the first 5 years wondering ‘where the atmostphere’s gone??’ Its in the car park, next to the Bentleys.

I hope Spurs get it right. Meanwhile, what a season to depart. 17 home wins out of 19 matches. Impressive. Bring on… errr… Wembley…

Happy Monday

A xxxx