A few weeks ago when Tottenham Hotspur unveiled ambitious plans to rebuild its White Hart Lane stadium, little attention — if any — was given to the fate of the old red Victorian house at the corner of Bill Nicholson Way and High Road, the house that is the physical address of the club at 748 High Road. Unfortunately, according to the latest stadium plans, The Red House — Tottenham’s historical home, in many ways — will be demolished.

Built around the mid 1850’s, The Red House is probably most famous for Tottenham fans as being the place for the cockerel on top of the clock on High Road. Sadly, the cockerel was removed in 2008. But the image of the cockerel is pictured above (and was snapped during the EPL Talk Tour of White Hart Lane from 2006).

When I took that photograph, I had no idea about the history of the Red House. But thanks to campaign organized by Save The Red House, all can be revealed.

Tottenham’s history with The Red House began when they bought the house after they won the 1921 FA Cup. The distinctive cockerel and ball on top of the clock was added in 1934. By 1974 or earlier, the red brick building housed Bill Nicholson’s offices as well as the Tottenham board room, in addition to trophy cabinets.

When the rebuilding of the West Stand was completed by Tottenham in 1982, The Red House was abandoned until, in the early 1990s, the building was used as a ticket collection point.

Today, the building is used by the Tottenham community officer while the stadium manager, security and health and safety departments also are housed in the building.

The Red House, 1974

This is a building with too much history and architecture to demolish to make way for the new Tottenham stadium to replace White Hart Lane. I’m sure, if pushed, the architects and stadium developers could find a way to keep this historic building standing and find a way to make better use of it.

To learn more about the Save The Red House campaign, visit the website. And if you’re interested in joining the campaign by sending letters to Daniel Levy, the English Heritage Foundation and other organizations, go here.

If you’re a Tottenham supporter or if you’ve visited White Hart Lane, share your feedback by clicking the comments link below and let us know if you’re aware of The Red House and whether you care about it’s possible demise.