Tottenham Hotspur have written to the Premier League’s broadcasters – to ask them to stop referring to the club as Tottenham.
The club has made it clear that they want to be known either by their full name, Tottenham Hotspur, or by the common nickname of Spurs.
In an email sent to broadcasters earlier this month, first reported by the Athletic, Spurs said: “Tottenham Hotspur have provided clarification regarding the club’s name. They have requested that the club are primarily known as Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs being the preferred short version. The club have requested that they are not referred to as Tottenham.”
The club’s rejection of the name “Tottenham” has been the case for more than a decade, with Spurs sources saying the policy dates back to 2011. The club regards “Tottenham” as the area of London in which they are based, rather than being an appropriate name for the club itself.
A source compared the situation to the clubs in Manchester, saying that neither Manchester United nor Manchester City would be referred to simply as “Manchester”.
The formal message to broadcasters comes a few months after Spurs unveiled an updated version of their club badge, which is the same as the previous edition but without the words “Tottenham Hotspur” written beneath the image of the club cockerel.
The updated branding came after nine months of work with specialists Studio Nomad, with the club saying there was input from more than 300 current and former players, coaches, staff and fan groups.
In previous brand identity documents, Spurs have said: “In a world full of Uniteds, Citys and Rovers, there is only One Hotspur and therefore the Club should always be referred to in full, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR or TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOOTBALL CLUB.
“We’re proud of our full name so we never refer to the Club as Tottenham, Tottenham Hotspur FC or THFC. Of course, we’re also called SPURS but we only refer to ourselves as this when talking to our fans, the foundation of this Club.”
Spurs, who are currently 12th in the Premier League, face Ipswich Town this weekend.
