Credit: Imago

Jonathan Burnett

Sat 22 February 2025 11:30, UK

Tottenham Hotspur have made a bizarre request to broadcasters which was reflected by Sky Sports during their most recent match.

Tottenham are a club who go by several nicknames; with Spurs the most common, the Lilywhites another in reference to the colour or their shirts, and the shortened ‘Tottenham’ or ‘Hotspur’ also applicable.

In recent months, the joking nickname ‘Doctor Tottenham’ has also been raised amid the injury crisis which has engulfed Ange Postecoglou’s side and almost completely derailed their campaign.

However, decision-makers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have now drawn a line in the sand when it comes to the number of different names the club goes by, setting out their stall for broadcasters.

Tottenham submit new naming request to broadcasters

Though Tottenham are proud of their history and roots North London, a leaked email sent to Premier League broadcasters on 10 February has made their stance clear when it comes to their name.

The email, seen by journalists at The Athletic, requested that the club should no longer simply be called ‘Tottenham’, with ‘Spurs’ being the nickname that ‘Tottenham Hotspur’ should be shortened to.

As relayed by Jack Pitt-Brooke on 21 February, the email – titled “Tottenham Hotspur Naming Update” – read: “Tottenham Hotspur have provided clarification regarding the club’s name.

“They have requested that the club are primarily known as Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs being the preferred short version. The club have requested that they are not referred to as Tottenham.”

“In a world full of Uniteds, Citys and Rovers, there is only one Hotspur, Tottenham Hotspur.

“When referring to the team or the brand, please use ‘Tottenham Hotspur’, ‘Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’ or ‘THFC’. Never refer to our Club as ‘Tottenham’, ‘Tottenham Hotspur FC’ or ‘TH’.”

Leaked Tottenham email will leave supporters baffled

A football club’s brand and recognisability has become all the rage in the modern era of shiny new stadiums and multi-billion broadcast deals, but Spurs’ request appears to be hugely counter-productive.

Though the name ‘Hotspur’ is almost unique in the sporting world – and thus so is ‘Spurs’ as a result – their North London roots are reflected in the word ‘Tottenham’, which has been their home since 1882.

Given the extent to which Daniel Levy has succeeded in making the Lilywhites a global brand and one of England’s biggest clubs despite a lack of on-field success, cutting out ‘Tottenham’ is a bizarre move.

Albeit only a partial change, this apparent removal of the club’s home from their shortened title could set a dangerous precedent going forward, particularly given the location-less name of derby rivals Arsenal.

Arsenal, in the eyes of many Tottenham fans, are seen as a nomadic club with no real ties to any London community after their move from across the city in 1913, and Spurs’ strange request could spark worries that they’re headed for a similar fate in the future.