Tottenham Hotspur players and staff pose for final photograph at White Hart Lane

The players, and all of Tottenham Hotspur's current staff, pose for a photo at White Hart Lane

The first of this type of snap was taken in 1951, as then-boss Arthur Rowe stood with his men

WITH Sunday’s match against Manchester United to be Tottenham Hotspur’s last-ever at White Hart Lane, emotions are running high in north London.

During various times in the Lilywhites’ history, players, management and staff have gathered together for iconic photographs on the hallowed turf, and this has been recreated one final time.

The Spurs ‘Class of 2017′ boasts over 450 staff members and they were all positioned across the playing surface at the Lane, with a picture taken from the upper tier of the West Stand.

The first of this type of snap was taken in 1951, as then-manager Arthur Rowe stood proudly on the pitch with the squad that had clinched the club’s first top-flight championship in the old First Division in 1950-1951, securing back-to-back titles after winning the old Second Division in 1949-50.

There were 34 players of 67 full-time staff in that photograph, including club legend Bill Nicholson, who would follow the success of his playing days by becoming Spurs’ most successful manager.

Nicholson is stood centrally in the 1951 image, in front of Sir Alf Ramsey, who would, of course, go on to lead England to victory at their 1966 host World Cup.

Just before clinching their famous double in 1961, Nicholson joined his players and staff for another classic photograph in N17, this time with 94 staff, taken by the Daily Mail.

Manager Nicholson, 13 first-team players and coach Eddie Baily were at the forefront ,with the rest of the club’s staff lined up behind them – including directors, trainers, doctor, groundsmen, scouts, office staff, reserve and junior players, maintenance staff, catering and even a member of the band that used to play on matchdays.

The photograph was taken in front of the old entrance to the West Stand – which, aptly, became Bill Nicholson Way, when it was unveiled by the great man and some of his former players, in April 1999.

Bill Nicholson joined his players and staff for another classic photograph in N17, in 1961

The latest picture includes noticeably more staff members, with the board, Mauricio Pochettino and the first team squad, coaching staff and medical team joined by all departments of the club.

The pieces of the club’s jigsaw which came out to commemorate White Hart Lane, involved: the academy, recruitment and performance, football operations, commercial and partnerships, communications, marketing, stadium & training centre operations, kit & equipment, finance, hospitality, ticketing and membership, IT/tech, new stadium, HR, safeguarding, global coaching, grounds, and retail and foundation.

SOURCE: DAILYMAIL