Tottenham are yet to officially announce an opening date for the club’s new 62,062-seater stadium, but the project is evidently gathering pace as it reaches its closing stages.
Mauricio Pochettino told a press conference ahead of the 3-1 victory over Chelsea that he hopes his side will be playing in their new home towards the beginning of 2019.
It’s already been confirmed they will be at Wembley for their remaining fixtures in November and December, up until they host Wolves four days after Christmas.
“We are so disappointed because we expected to play in 2018 at the new stadium and it should have been ready to play before the end of the year but that is not going to be possible and we need to wish and hope that in January or February we can move there,” the Lilywhites boss said.
“We are so excited, we cannot wait to move there. We understand it is a fantastic project for the future of the club that will be for ever. To wait maybe one or two months more – we need to have patience.”
Spurs have limited control over the set-backs as construction company Mace still have jurisdiction over large areas of the land and have missed several deadlines.
The fixtures against Newcastle (February 2nd) and Leicester (February 9th) are now being talked about as possible curtain-raisers.
That won’t please some, who hoped for some more mouth-watering opposition in Manchester United on January 13th but meeting that date would be tight. A February target would allow for the test events to take place in January; these events were originally supposed to include a legends game against Bayern Munich and a ‘Premier League 2’ fixture.
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Regardless, latest footage of the ground shows a colossal centre-piece down the High Road and one which stands up proudly when compared to any of the stadia of top European clubs.
Unlike the old ground, the stadium can be seen clearly from White Hart Lane overground station through the tower blocks.
Stepping out onto the High Road, it dominates the area and the new infrastructure certainly stands out against the old Park Lane ticket office.
The club shop – or ‘Tottenham experience’ is already open and has already welcomed hundreds of fans. The custom kit printing area is based on the former Tottenham and Edmonton Dispensary - the wall has even been completed with bricks from the old building.
As it stands, the store contains the biggest collection official NFL merchandise in the city.
The new ground is full of personal touches from the old. The Golden Cockerel that sat on top of the West and East stands have been replicated and a 4.5m model will be placed on top of the one-tier South Stand – towering over 17,500 season-ticket holders - with its left wing facing the pitch to reflect the traditional club crest.
It’s on course to be the largest Premier League ground in the capital – at least for now, after West Ham announced they will apply for permission to increase the capacity of the London Stadium.
With nine floors and an inner structure that brings fans just five metres away from the action, this is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious stadium projects in history.
The anticipation is only increased by the continued delays, but it’s going to be well worth the wait.
