Tottenham Hotspur 1985/87 Home Shirt

Home shirt worn by Tottenham Hotspur F.C. during the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons, a memorable period that saw Spurs establish themselves as one of England’s most entertaining sides while producing one of the club’s most iconic shirt designs.

The shirt features a white base with a distinctive diagonal line pattern across the upper section of the body, ending midway down the shirt with a bold horizontal row of navy arrows. Matching arrow detailing runs down both sleeves, while a simple white neckline completes the striking design. Its unique styling has made it one of the most recognisable Tottenham shirts ever worn.

The 1985–86 season saw Spurs finish 10th in the First Division, with the side continuing to showcase exciting attacking football through the creativity of Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle. While consistency proved elusive in the league, the squad remained one of the most watchable teams in English football.

The following campaign under manager David Pleat was considerably more successful. Tottenham finished 3rd in the First Division, reached the FA Cup Final, and advanced to the League Cup semi-finals, spending much of the season in contention for multiple honours.

At the heart of the team was prolific striker Clive Allen, who produced one of the greatest individual seasons in the club’s history during 1986–87. Allen scored a remarkable club-record 49 goals in all competitions, winning the First Division Golden Boot and becoming the driving force behind Tottenham’s attacking success.

This shirt is also forever associated with one of football’s most famous testimonial appearances. On 1 May 1986, Diego Maradona wore the Tottenham shirt during Ossie Ardiles's testimonial match against Inter Milan at White Hart Lane. Maradona borrowed Clive Allen’s boots and was handed the number 10 shirt by Glenn Hoddle, creating an unforgettable moment as four of the era’s most gifted footballers shared the pitch in Tottenham colours. Spurs won the match 2–1 in front of more than 30,000 supporters.

Remarkably, this remains the only occasion Maradona ever represented an English club side, adding further significance to an already legendary shirt.

Overall, the 1985–87 Tottenham Hotspur home shirt is remembered for its distinctive design, Clive Allen’s record-breaking goalscoring exploits, the club’s challenge for major honours, and the unique sight of Diego Maradona wearing the famous lilywhite colours at White Hart Lane.