1990

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A common feature at recent home games, apart from conceding sloppy goals, is for the Park Lane end to request “Paxton give us a song, Paxton, Paxton give us a song.” After an uncomfortable few seconds someone in the north lower may attempt to start a round of “Tott-en-ham, Tott-en-ham, Tott-en-ham” (sometimes yours truly) that will soon peter out before it has even got started.  It breaks my heart, it really does, as apart from a couple of seasons in the mid 90’s when the Paxton was being rebuilt I have always enjoyed my football there and it shouldn’t need prompting from elsewhere to start a song as if it’s the West Stand. What has happened to the Paxton? Why is there no atmosphere in the Paxton anymore? Where has the Paxton’s personality gone?

Traditionally the Park Lane end was the main Spurs end at White Hart Lane, so I understand, but for fellow supporters of the same generation as myself (I’m 24 years old) you would have grown up on the Paxton. As it is now, the Paxton Road end was the members end and the away supporters occupied half, if not all, of the Park Lane end from since I can remember – the mid to late 80’s. Because of this the Paxton is still perceived as the “home end” but I’m sure Park Laners would now argue this point and rightly so. It is they who are creating the noise and the atmosphere that Glenn Hoddle publicly attributed our win versus Leeds to and that is what being a “home end” should be all about. Of course, the team still favour attacking the Paxton in the second half just like the Scum with the North Bank, Liverpool with the Kop and Man Utd with the Stretford End, and being a Paxtonite this appeals to me, but I would not blame them if they were to suddenly decide to change this habit.

Growing up on the Paxton, as it was the members stand, it was cheaper to get in – £2 on the turnstile back in 1989 for kids – you were blessed with perks, such as free copies of the wonderful Spurs News which pisses on it’s current day equivalent Spurs Monthly, and the atmosphere was great. If you’ve never “yiddio-yiddioed” on the Paxton then you haven’t lived! I think I’m going to wallow in nostalgia for a bit longer if you don’t mind … queuing up from 12.30pm to make sure you’re one of the first in to get your favourite spot (me, at the front to the left of the goal); trying to avoid the weirdoes who latch on to you and then you’re their best friend for the rest of the season; the cry of “peanuts, peanuts”, Willie Morgan and “welcome to White Hart Lane the world famous home of the Spurs”, greeting a goal-kick with “Oooooh you’re shit aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!”, trying to catch Erik’s gloves at the end after another victory, ducking under the terrace barriers on the way out while humming along to Glory Glory …and I could go on! With the demise of the Shelf the Paxton was the place to be.

Initially, the restructuring obviously interrupted the Paxton’s rhythm as regulars were placed elsewhere in the ground. But this alone should not be the sole reason behind the Paxton losing it’s appeal as an atmosphere of sorts was still generated in the new all-seater north stand, although it goes without saying that it was not as good as before. However, the Paxton has gradually become quieter and quieter over the last few seasons and surprisingly at a time when the overall atmosphere has improved since the mid 90’s dirge. Characters don’t just disappear either, such as the weirdoes touched upon earlier, who add to unique atmosphere of somewhere like the Paxton. With terracing they can move freely but in seats they are confined to the one spot. The Paxton no longer holds special benefits, an example of which is the club bringing the season ticket prices in the north stand in line with those in the south stand last season. As the away supporters area is in the south-west corner this has become an attraction for some to choose the Park Lane end as the banter between the sets of supporters, because they are so nearby, creates a really good atmosphere. As the noise from the Park Lane became louder this never went unnoticed and prompted others to move to this area of the ground, which in turn produces an even better atmosphere there.

Where does this leave the Paxton? Well, there is still the Colonel selling his “’handsome” burgers behind the stand and one or two of us Paxton diehards clinging onto memories of yesteryear – a familiar trait for us Spurs fans. It looks as though more people will jump ship to the Park Lane and the Paxton will turn into the poor man’s West Stand if it is not already. With the team continuing to warm up prior to kick-off in front of the Paxton and choosing to attack this stand in the second half this will always hold appeal to some. How long before these habits change? Personally, I can’t see myself moving to another stand at White Hart Lane in the foreseeable future. I like being in the perceived home end and do not particularly want to be near the away supporters, I can hear them loud enough from where I am thank you very much! I’ll stay in my second home for now, ta, and I’ll continue to join the handful of others with an occasional chorus of “We’re the Paxton, we’re the Paxton, we’re the Paxton Tottenham…”

 

Lee Dumont
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