Why do Tottenham wear all-white in Europe? The genius of Bill Nicholson
Tottenham continue to wear an all-white kit in Europe, but where did that tradition come from?
After winning the UEFA Europa League last season, Tottenham will compete in the Champions League during the 2025/26 campaign, kicking things off against Villarreal on Tuesday night in North London.
Thomas Frank has already demonstrated that his side will be able to hold their own after coming close to beating last season’s Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, in the UEFA Super Cup, ultimately losing out on penalties, with Micky van de Ven issuing an apology to supporters.
Fans might notice their side wearing all-white on European nights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rather than the white shirt and navy shorts combination they’ve become accustomed to in domestic competition.
It is a tradition which stretches back 64 years, and Tottenham News takes a closer look at the history behind Spurs’ decision to wear all-white in Europe.
Bill Nicholson’s genius inspires famous Tottenham tradition
Tottenham were founded in 1882, and in the early days, the North London club wore a navy blue kit with a scarlet shield and white breeches.
However, in 1898, Tottenham began to wear white shorts with navy blue shorts, colours that remain synonymous with the club in the present day.
On Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup matchdays, these are the colours that will be worn by Tottenham for home matches – but in Europe, they wear all-white, a tradition which was inspired by arguably Tottenham’s greatest legend – Bill Nicholson.
Nicholson’s record as a player and manager for Tottenham
- Appearances: 314
- Goals: 6
- Years at Tottenham: 1938-1954, 1958-1974 (as manager)
- Trophies: Division One 1951, 1961, Division Two 1950, FA Cup 1961, 1962, 1967, League Cup 1971, 1973, European Cup Winners’ Cup 1963, UEFA Cup 1972
Nicholson switches to all-white in Europe for practical reasons
In September 1961, Tottenham played their first-ever competitive European fixture against Polish side Gornik Zabrze.
When the players made their way onto the pitch, they were wearing white shorts instead of their traditional navy. Some supporters might have heard that Nicholson made this switch because of his admiration for Real Madrid, who won the first five European Cups in the 1950s.
However, the real reason is far less romantic, but also an example of the genius that made Nicholson the greatest manager in Spurs’ history.
Top managers are always looking to gain even the slightest advantage, and Nicholson believed that playing in all-white would improve the players’ visibility.
Floodlights weren’t as useful as they are in the modern game in the 1960s, and the players were often playing in gloomy conditions.
Therefore, Nicholson thought that by playing in all-white, the players would be able to spot each other a little easier, which would give Tottenham that edge.
That strategy clearly paid dividends to some end, as in 1963, Spurs would lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup, and to this day, other than on a handful of occasions in the 1990s, Tottenham have always worn all-white in Europe, a tradition which will continue this season under Frank.
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