Who next for the Spurs Hall of Fame?

The most recent additions to the Tottenham Hotspur hall of fame are Chris Waddle and Paul Allen. The inclusion of these two stars of the 1986/87 team means the 1980s have been well represented in the pantheon of Spurs legends and with older players from the club’s history already covered, it is the men who have played a part in recent times who will next get recognition.

Gary Mabbutt, Gary Lineker, Teddy Sheringham and David Ginola, four players who have helped shape the club’s fortunes in the 1990s, are already included and their existence in the hall of fame hints at the qualities which are required to be held in such esteem.

Devotion to the club, class on the pitch and honour were exhibited by this quartet, with the last of these characteristics perhaps the most important. Each were voted player of the season during their Spurs career, but the way they represented the club on and off the field is what made them stand out.

Mabbutt is perhaps the best possible Tottenham role-model of recent times, combining fine leadership, durability and respect for the game. His natural successor is Ledley King, right down to the unluckily brief England career and triumph in injury and illness adversity.

Players are inducted into the hall of fame in retirement and it is hoped Ledley will not take his place for a few years yet. Unfortunately his career appears to be in its twilight years at the age of 28 and hall of fame recognition is the least a player who has served the club with such distinction deserves.

It is an oddity that King has never been voted club player of the year – three-time winner Robbie Keane took the honour in 2005/06, King’s most influential season in Spurs colours to date – and this is a reminder that the two lists don’t always go hand-in-hand.

However, the recently-retired Darren Anderton, player of the year in 1993, perhaps deserves to be a hall of fame inductee. He ticks all the boxes mentioned above, although cynics would say the club served him during his injury-hit Spurs career as much as the other way round.

Paul Gascoigne, Jürgen Klinsmann, Stephen Carr (and it need not be said Sol Campbell) were players of the year in the 1990’s who should not expect an invite due to failure in the devotion to club or honour categories. Keane might also be excluded in the future along similar lines.

‘Back-dated’ additions to the hall of fame are always possible and there are of course many Spurs legends from bygone glory eras that are missing from the list of those with special recognition.

The hall of fame should retain a sense of exclusivity, but the absence of Steve Perryman, Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean appears puzzling. Do they have an awkward relationship with the club that I’m not aware of? (Ed:- I believe that Steve Perryman does not agree with the commercial aspect of the Spurs Hall of Fame. Jimmy Greaves is too busy with his own regular tour dates. Alan Gilzean was last heard of back in Scotland, but is very elusive. he would be a wonderful "catch" for the Hall of Fame!)

Admiring the Tottenham hall of fame reminds fans of better, more glorious days and perhaps some current squad members will join the list to reflect a new era of glory we hope is around the corner. Argentina is well represented, so why not Honduras!

Written by Philip Oliver, a Tottenham Hotspur fan and a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting at Betfair.