Tottenham Hotspur football club is now 142 years old, and over 897 players have represented the Lilywhites over that period of time. Here we take a look at ten of the best, with our rundown of the club’s most iconic legends.
From Premier League greats to modern day goalscoring heroes, and right back to those who helped the club lift silverware many decades ago, Tottenham have a rich history of incredible players. Let’s get to know them a little better.
Bill Nicholson
Position: Right-back
Appearances: 314
Goals: 6
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1938-1954
Not only did Bill Nicholson help Spurs win their first-ever Division 1 league title in 1951 as a player, and go on to make over 300 appearances for the club, he is also the most decorated manager in the Lilywhites’ history.
Nicholson was manager between 1958-1974, and oversaw a genuine golden era for Spurs. His success included the league and FA Cup double in 1961, steering Spurs to the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 (the first British club to win a European honour), two more FA Cups in 1962 and 1967, the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, and the UEFA Cup in 1972.
Jimmy Greaves
Position: Striker
Appearances: 379
Goals: 266
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1961-1970
It can be argued that Jimmy Greaves is one of the most prolific, natural goalscorers in the history of the game, particularly when it comes to English football. His incredible record as Tottenham’s leading goalscorer stood for more than 50 years, before Harry Kane came along and surpassed him in 2023.
Greaves was a key figure in the FA Cup wins of 1962 and 1967, and was also integral in the club’s historic European win in 1963.
Steve Perryman
Position: Midfielder/right-back
Appearances: 854
Goals: 39
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1969-1986
Signed by Spurs as a schoolboy, Steve Perryman quickly rose through the ranks at the club and still stands today as the club’s all-time record appearance maker. A hard-working, versatile, and fiercely loyal footballer, Perryman spent almost his whole career with Spurs and captained the team from 1975 to 1986.
In that time, Perryman won two League Cups, two FA Cups, the Charity Shield, and two UEFA Cups. His finest moment was scoring two goals in the European semi-final against AC Milan in 1972.
Glenn Hoddle
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 490
Goals: 110
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1975-1987
Another schoolboy acquisition for Spurs, Glenn Hoddle made his debut at 17-years-old and never looked back. A legendary playmaker, capable of real magic and incredible skill on the pitch, Hoddle scored some of the finest goals in the club’s history and ranks as one of only 18 players to score more than 100 for Spurs.
He is also fourth on our list of all-time appearances and won two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup, and was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1980. Hoddle also went on to manage the club, albeit briefly.
Gary Mabbutt
Position: Centre midfield/centre-back
Appearances: 611
Goals: 36
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1982-1998
Only Steve Perryman has made more appearances for Spurs than Gary Mabbutt, and the midfielder-turned-defender ended up captaining the Lilywhite for 11 years, becoming one of our most successful and respected skippers.
Mabbutt was an outstanding professional on and off the field, and battled type 1 diabetes while continuing to perform at the highest level. He won the UEFA Cup in 1984, and went on to lift the FA Cup as captain in 1991.
Paul Gascoigne
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 112
Goals: 33
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1988-1991
Gazza’s time at the club was short but sweet, and he left on the high of winning the FA Cup in 1991. We all know what he was about, but Paul Gascoigne saved some of his finest moments for Spurs, including that stunning long-range free-kick against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.
He is truly one of the greatest to ever play the game, and became a hugely popular figure at Spurs in his relatively brief spell. It says it all that in just three years, Gazza endeared himself to the Tottenham faithful for life.
Ledley King
Position: Centre-back
Appearances: 323
Goals: 14
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 1999-2012
While we wish this wasn’t true, Ledley King is still the last Spurs captain to lift a trophy for the club, winning the League Cup in 2008. King came through the Tottenham academy, became club captain, and remained loyal to the Lilywhites until the end of his playing days. Now, he is Club Ambassador, and even spent time in the coaching staff in 2020/21.
Were it not for his persistent injuries, there is no doubt King would have been regarded as one of the best English centre-halves of all time. Incredibly quick, strong, and with an acute awareness of the game, King had it all, on his day.
Gareth Bale
Position: Winger/forward
Appearances: 237
Goals: 71
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 2007-2013, 2021-2022
While the numbers may favour the likes of Jimmy Greaves, Harry Kane, or Steve Perryman when it comes to Spurs specifically, Gareth Bale may well be the greatest footballer to ever play for the Lilywhites. Beginning his career as a left-back, the Welshman quite literally could not win a game with Spurs, but his game was transformed thanks to Harry Redknapp and a move to the wing.
In two spells with the club, Bale scored world class goals and won games almost single-handedly. He went on to achieve great things with Real Madrid, before returning to Spurs for a second spell and proving he hadn’t lost his touch.
Harry Kane
Position: Striker
Appearances: 435
Goals: 280
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 2004-2023
The club’s all-time leading goalscorer, but Harry Kane was so much more than that. He carried the team on his shoulders at times, and gave so much to the fans throughout his time at the club, delivering so many outstanding memories and special moments.
It is a crying shame that Kane was never able to see his talents and efforts rewarded with a trophy, and that pursuit of silverware ultimately led the England captain to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.
Heung-min Son
Position: Winger/forward
Appearances: 454
Goals: 173
Years at Tottenham Hotspur: 2015-2025
Heung-min Son firmly cemented his legacy as a Tottenham Hotspur legend when he finally achieved his dream of winning a trophy with the club.
Having given ten years of unwavering loyalty, when many other former team-mates had decided to leave in years gone by in the search for trophies, Son remained in North London.
His dream of ending Tottenham’s long wait for silverware was achieved when Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in May 2025. Son decided to call an end on his career at the club just three months later when he joined LAFC.