Ledley King admits he shed tears as Tottenham finally ended their long wait for silverware, lifting the Europa League trophy on a historic night in Bilbao.
Of course, every football club has that one memory they would cherish ever so dearly. For Liverpool, that night in Istanbul, 2005, for Manchester United fans it is the game against Bayern Munich in 1999, for Manchester City, the night in Istanbul as well, where they clinched their first ever UEFA Champions League trophy.
Tottenham Hotspur, as well, have had such nights in the past, but the most recent one would remain a fond memory for most fans, who had to wait 17 years for a first piece of silverware and four decades to celebrate a European triumph.
The night in Bilbao, Spain. The Johnson toe poke. The celebrations after. The trophy parade. Nothing comes close for many Tottenham fans in terms of footballing memories in the last two decades.
Ledley King reveals emotional reaction to Tottenham win over Manchester United
Spurs legend Ledley King, who was part of the last Tottenham side to lift a piece of silverware back in 2008 in the League Cup, has now opened up on how he felt after that historic night in Bilbao, Spain.
King was the captain in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, in a game that went into extra time, and despite lifting a trophy then, he has now revealed that he was moved to tears after Tottenham won the Europa League last season, beating Manchester United 1-0 on the night.
He also gave credit to the Tottenham players and former manager Ange Postecoglou for keeping their focus right to the end, despite a difficult season in the Premier League
He told OLGB: “It was emotional actually, there were a few tears which I did not expect. I think we have been to seven finals over the last 20 years or so, to get over the line was special.
“It has been such a difficult season during the Premier League. But the team managed to keep their focus right to the very end. They had their eye on the target of winning the Europa League, so fair play to the manager and the players for that.
“It was an emotional night and then we had the parade a couple of days later and the turnout was amazing. I am just pleased for the fans who have waited so long. They deserve that and hopefully the team can kick on now.
“The players have got that feeling of winning something, achieving something special, and they will be determined to repeat that.”
Spurs legend Ledley King reflects on proudest moment with Tottenham
Of course, Spurs have had several top players in the last decade, yet not everyone managed to win a piece of silverware, including the likes of Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
King continued, revealing that it took time to realise how special winning a trophy with Tottenham was, stating that while a player’s debut is special, nothing tops being part of a collective that goes on to win silverware.
He added: “It would have to be winning a trophy (was my proudest Spurs moment). I think that has probably grown over the years. Obviously, it has been such a long time since we achieved that. I think over the years I have started to realise how difficult it is to actually win a trophy.
“We have had some great players over the years. Look at players like Hugo Lloris who won the World Cup, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane. Some great Spurs players in a great team that did not achieve that.
“So winning a trophy for the club. Of course your debut is always special, but to be part of a team, a collective that goes on to do something special is the best.”
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