TOTTENHAM have buried the ashes of legendary former manager Bill Nicholson under the pitch at their new stadium.
Nicholson is still the most successful manager in the club’s history and guided them to the league and cup double in 1961.
After dying in 2004 his ashes were interned under the turf at White Hart Lane along with those of his wife Darkie.
But once building work began on the club’s new home they were removed and stored overlooking the site as construction began.
Now Tottenham have held a special ceremony with members of Nicholson’s family to re-intern the couple’s ashes in the new ground ready for the pitch to be installed above.
The new location is in an area of the new pitch that overlaps where the old White Hart Lane pitch used to be.
Nicholson’s daughter Jean helped plan the move, and says she is delighted her parents remain together in such a special place.
Jean said: “My sister Linda and I are so grateful for the respect and affection that everyone at the club continues to show towards our father.
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“There is no more fitting memorial than for him to rest below the new pitch, and having Mum by his side makes it even more special.
“Dad’s dream was always for his beloved Spurs to be the best in the world and it is clear that this new stadium project is a giant step towards that aspiration.
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“We are proud that Dad played a major role in developing the club’s history and that his contribution is being remembered in this way.
“We’re sure Dad would have enjoyed watching the current team play, in the way that he always advocated.
“The fact that the Spurs are taking him with them into the future means so much to us all.”
Building work on the new 61,000-seater stadium continues at a pace, with the first parts of the pitch due to arrive later this month.
The club have been playing at Wembley this season while the old White Hart Lane was demolished and the giant new ground was constructed.
And Mauricio Pochettino’s side are on course to play their first home match in the new stadium by the end of August.
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