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Top 10 Best Tottenham Hotspur Players of All Time

Tottenham Hotspur, commonly known as the Spurs, is an English soccer club based in North London. Established in 1882, they have a rich history and passionate fans. Tottenham has been a prominent force in the soccer world and has had several legends on their roster. From goal-scoring prodigies to unstoppable defenders, listed below are the best Tottenham Hotspur players of all time.

Who Are the Best Tottenham Hotspur Soccer Players of All Time?

Jimmy Greaves
Glenn Hoddle
Danny Blanchflower
Ledley King
Steve Perryman
Pat Jennings
Dave Mackay
Gareth Bale
Cliff Jones
Teddy Sheringham

1. Jimmy Greaves

Two-time FA Cup Champion
Two-time FA Charity Shield Champion
European Cup Winners Cup Champion (1963)

Jimmy Greaves is considered one of the best goal scorers in not just the Spurs’ history but also in the history of the sport. Greaves made a total of 379 appearances and scored a remarkable 266 goals, making him Tottenham’s all-time leading goal scorer. Greaves had a goal-scoring average of 0.70 goals per game during his career. With Tottenham, Greaves won the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967, as well as the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963, and the Charity Shield in 1962 and 1967.

Greaves scored a total of nine hat-tricks for Tottenham, showcasing his ability to score multiple goals in a single game. In the 1960-61 season, Greaves scored 41 league goals, which remains a club record for the most goals scored in a single top-flight season. Greaves was named in the PFA Team of the Year three times while at Tottenham (1961, 1962, and 1969); this award recognized him for his strong performances and goal-scoring prowess.

2. Glenn Hoddle

Two-time FA Cup Champion
FA Charity Shield Champion (1981)
Five-time PFA First Division Team of the Year

Glenn Hoddle is one of the best midfielders in the history of Tottenham. Hoddle spent the majority of his career at Tottenham, playing for the club from 1975 to 1987, showcasing his enduring loyalty to the Spurs. He made a total of 490 appearances and scored 110 goals during his career, earning him a reputation as a strong attacking midfielder. He was known for his precise passing ability and provided numerous assists for his teammates.

Hoddle was renowned for his exceptional free-kick-taking ability. With Tottenham, Hoddle won the FA Cup in 1981 and the UEFA Cup in 1984 and was instrumental in both of these wins. Hoddle was honored as the PFA Player of the Year in 1981. Hoddle earned 53 caps for the England national team while playing for Tottenham. After retiring as a player, Hoddle went on to have a successful managerial career, including a run as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur from 2001 to 2003.

3. Danny Blanchflower

Two-time FA Cup Champion
Football League First Division Champion (1961)
European Cup Winners’ Cup Champion (1963)

Danny Blachflower was a beloved defensive midfielder for the Spurs. Blanchflower made a total of 384 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur from 1954-1964. He scored 21 goals during his career, primarily as a midfielder, and was known for his intelligence on the pitch and leadership abilities. With Blanchflower, the Spurs achieved a few successes, winning the league and cup double in 1960-61, the FA Cup in 1962, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

Blanchflower served as captain for Tottenham during their historic double-winning campaign in the 1960-61 season, leading the team to success while earning fans’ admiration for his leadership qualities. Blanchflower was named in the PFA Team of the Year twice, once in 1954 and again in 1961. Blanchflower earned the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1958, for his contributions to the sport. He’s remembered as one of the best playmakers in the team’s history and brought guile to any team he played on.

4. Ledley King

Football League Cup Champion (2008)
Premier League Player of the Month (September 2004)
Fastest Premier League goal (held for 18 years)

Ledley King is one of the best defenders in the history of the club. He began his career by working his way through the ranks of the youth team and had an innate defensive talent. King made his first-team debut in 1999. He spent his entire career with the club from 1999 to 2012. King made a total of 323 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, and despite being a defender, King scored 15 goals, an impressive feat for a defender. King played an important role in Tottenham’s success in the League Cup, helping the team secure the trophy in 2008.

King was appointed as the captain of Tottenham Hotspur in 2005, becoming the club’s youngest-ever captain at the age of 24. He is known for his ability to read the game and his intense focus. His later career was plagued by knee injuries until his retirement in 2012. Following his retirement, King continued to be involved with Tottenham Hotspur; he served as a club ambassador, a youth coach, and later became a first-team assistant coach under José Mourinho.

5. Steve Perryman

Two-time FA Cup Champion
Two-time League Cup Champion
FA Charity Shield Champion (1981)

Steve Perryman is one of the most iconic players in Spurs history. Perryman holds the record for the most appearances in Tottenham Hotspur history, making a total of 854 appearances during his career. He scored 39 goals during his time with the Spurs and earned a legacy of strong offensive contributions from the midfield. Perryman played a large role in Tottenham’s success in the 70s and 80s, winning two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the UEFA Cup.

Perryman also served as captain of Tottenham during their triumphs in the 1980s. Perryman was honored as the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1982. One of his most memorable career moments came when Perryman scored a goal in the second half of the 1972 UEFA Cup Final against Wolverhampton, which helped Tottenham secure a 3-2 victory and win the trophy. Perryman spent his entire professional career at Tottenham, remaining with the club from 1969 to 1986, earning a reputation for being a dedicated and loyal player.

6. Pat Jennings

FA Cup Champion (1967)
Two-time League Cup Champion
FA Charity Shield Champion (1967)

Pat Jennings was an iconic goalkeeper and is considered one of the best in the club’s history. Jennings made a total of 472 appearances for the Spurs and was one of the club’s most reliable and consistent players. He kept 180 clean sheets during his career. Jennings played a vital role in Tottenham’s success in the 60s and 70s, winning the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, and the UEFA Cup in 1972.

Jennings was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1973 due to his outstanding performances and influence as a goalkeeper. Jennings earned the PFA Merit Award in 2003 for significant contributions made to soccer. In one of his most memorable moments, he scored a goal from his own penalty area against Manchester United in a First Division match. Jennings spent a remarkable 13 seasons at Tottenham, from 1964 to 1977, a testimony of his loyalty to the club.

7. Dave Mackay

Football League First Division Champion (1961)
Two-time FA Cup Champion
European Cup Winners Cup Champion (1963)

Dave Mackay played left half/sweeper for the Spurs from 1959-1968. Mackay made a total of 318 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, and he scored 51 goals during this time. Mackay played a large role in Tottenham’s golden era, winning the league and cup double in 1960-61, the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

Mackay was known for his strong leadership qualities and was appointed as the captain of Tottenham Hotspur. Mackay was included in the PFA Team of the Year in 1960-61 and 1963-64, which recognized his performances and impact on the pitch. He was also named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1969. One of his most iconic moments came during the 1961 FA Cup Final against Leicester City. In the 70th minute of the match, with the scores level at 0-0, Mackay suffered a broken leg. Despite the injury, he continued playing. Four minutes after sustaining the injury, Mackay headed in a goal to give Tottenham the lead. The Spurs would win the game 2-0.

8. Gareth Bale

Football League Cup Champion (2008)
Two-time Tottenham Hotspur Young Player of the Year
Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year (2013)

Gareth Bale has had a long and successful career, including two runs with the Spurs. He played for them from 2007-2013 and 2020-2021 on loan from Real Madrid. Bale made 203 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in his first spell at the club and scored 55 goals. In his loan spell from Real Madrid, Bale made 34 and 16 goals during this period. He was also known for his ability to create scoring opportunities and provide assists to his teammates.

Bale won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award twice in his first spell at Tottenham, once in the 2010-2011 and again 2012-2013 season, recognizing his contributions to the team and to the Premier League. He was also included in the Premier League Team of the Year for three seasons in a row from 2010 to 2013. One of his most memorable moments came in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2011. In the game against Inter Milan where Bale scored a hat trick, earning the Spurs a 3-1 victory.

9. Cliff Jones

Three-time FA Cup Champion
European Cup Winners Cup Champion (1963)
Fifth all-time highest club scorer

Cliff Jones played for the Spurs during some of their most successful seasons. Jones made a total of 378, and he scored 159 goals during his career, showcasing his impressive scoring ability as a forward. Jones played an important role in Tottenham’s successes during the 1960s, where he helped them win the league and cup double in 1960-61, the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

Choosing one memorable moment from Jones’s career with the Spurs is nearly impossible, and most fans usually remember Jones for his quick, darting runs and incredible speed, which came to benefit the team and lead them to win awards. Additionally, while playing for Tottenham, Jones represented the Wales national team and earned 59 caps. He played a key role in helping Wales go far in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, helping them reach the quarterfinals.

10. Teddy Sheringham

Premier League Golden Boot (1993)
Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year (1995)
Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame inductee (2009)

Teddy Sheringham played for the Spurs twice, his first run from 1992 to 1997 and his second run from 2001 to 2003. Sheringham made a total of 166 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur and scored 76 goals during his career, making him one of Tottenham’s strongest goalscorers. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 1992-1993 season and also finished as the league’s top goalscorer by scoring 22 goals for his team.

While playing for the Spurs, Sheringham also made his English national team debut. He earned 51 caps and scored 11 goals for his country. Sheringham was known for his intelligence, technical ability, and leadership ability and served as the captain of Tottenham Hotspur during his second run with the club. Sheringham was popular with Tottenham fans and, by the mid-1990s, was established as one of the best strikers in the club’s history.