Tottenham Hotspur has always cherished its goal-hunters. In this article, DuitKick will take you on a journey through the ages to discover the best Tottenham strikers of all time — those nocturnal poachers, clinical finishers, and inspiring leaders who made the Lilywhites roar.
We will measure greatness not by myth, but by goals, impact, longevity, and legacy. Whether you’re a die-hard Spurs fan or just a neutral who respects true striking excellence, this is your definitive guide.
Why ranking Tottenham strikers matters
When fans debate the best Tottenham strikers, they’re really debating eras, styles, and what “greatness” means. A striker, the constants remain: finishing, movement, leadership, consistency, and the ability to create iconic moments. At Spurs, strikers have carried weight not just in scorelines but in club identity — the attacking DNA that makes Tottenham a feared name. In this list, we consider:
- Total goals for Tottenham in all competitions
- Goals per game / scoring frequency
- Heroic performances in big matches
- Longevity and influence
- Cultural and emotional impact on fans
Below, DuitKick ranks with passion and precision — here are the 10 best Tottenham strikers of all time.
Top 10 all-time Tottenham strikers
Here they are, in rough descending order, though comparing legends always carries debate.
1. Harry Kane
The modern benchmark. Kane is Tottenham’s all-time top scorer, with 435 appearances and 280 goals across all competitions.
He bridged style and substance — leading the line, dropping deep, serving as captain, winning Golden Boots — he gave fans the sense that Tottenham now “owned” the striker role.
His influence went beyond mere statistics: under pressure nights, derby goals, late comebacks — he delivered. Few strikers have worn the shirt with such complete dominance.
2. Jimmy Greaves
A name that evokes pure striking poetry.s scored 266 goals in 379 games for Spurs.
His 15 hat-tricks is a club record. He dominated the 1960s and remains one of England’s sweetest finishers. He held the club’s scoring crown until Kane’s era.
Greaves had the instinct — almost preternatural — to be in the right place, and his finishing was merciless. His legacy lingers in every young English forward who looks for the net.
3. Bobby Smith
Often overshadowed by the luminaries above, Bobby Smith still ranks high: 208 goals in 317 Spurs matches.
He was a workhorse, a consistent scorer through the 1950s and early ’60s — smart, robust, reliable when the team needed a focal point.
His name is less glamorized but essential in the tapestry — a link between post-war stratagem and the rise of Tottenham’s attacking identity.
4. Martin Chivers
Elegance meets ruthlessness. Chivers scored 174 goals in 367 matches for Spurs.
He could finish with either foot, had aerial prowess, and delivered in European nights. His movement and understanding of space made him a forward ahead of his time.
5. Cliff Jones
A winger/forward hybrid — but his goalscoring and attacking instincts put him in contention. He scored 159 goals in 378 games for Tottenham.
Jones brought flair and pace. In an era when the line between forward and wide player was fluid, he added unpredictability and depth to Spurs’ attack.
6. Jermain Defoe
In the modern era his name becomes inevitable. Defoe scored 143 goals in 362 Tottenham appearances.
He’s also among the Premier League’s top scorers ever. A cold finisher, especially with late runs behind defenses, and unmatched energy even in declining years.
He owns the record for most goals scored as a substitute in Premier League history.
7. George Hunt
Older generation legend — 138 goals in 198 matches.
His goalscoring rate remains exceptional. In the 1930s, he redefined what it meant to be a Spurs forward. He set a tone for later stars.
8. Len Duquemin
A frontman who bridged post-war Britain. 134 goals in 307 matches for Spurs.
He wasn’t gaudy, but dependable. In tougher footballing times, he gave teams a threat, especially inside the box, that is underrated by modern fans.
9. Alan Gilzean
Creative, elusive, with a penchant for spectacular goals: 133 goals in 439 matches.
His link-up play with Greaves remains legendary. He is less of pure poacher and more of an attacking shape-shifter, but for that reason he deserves his place.
10. Teddy Sheringham
Asterisks apply — his time at Spurs overlapped with midfield roles. But as a striker, he scored 124 goals in 230 appearances.
He brings nuance: technique, clutch deliveries, soccer IQ. In an age of big forwards, he showed finesse and versatility.
Honorable mentions and modern challengers
Football evolves, and new names push through:
- Heung-min Son: Though departing recently, Son scored 173 goals for Spurs in 446 appearances and became a talismanic figure.
- His two-footed finishing, pressing, workrate and attitude made him beloved. While not a pure “striker” in system, his scoring record demands respect.
- Robbie Keane: Not quite in top 10, but with 122 goals in his Spurs spells, his dynamism and clutch scoring make him a modern fan favorite.
- Clive Allen: A flurry of goals in short time, but not sustained enough; he’s often in “greatest striker” lists despite limited longevity.
If a new striker at Tottenham replicates Kane’s dominance, expect him to jump this list fast.
Why Kane is undisputed at the top
Sure, you can argue stylistic merits. But in pure file statistics: Kane’s 280 goals in 435 games make him the club’s No. 1 scorer of all time. kipedia])
He combined volume with consistency — scoring across every competition, in big games, over a long tenure.
His presence also marks a change: whereas earlier legends were deadlier but active for shorter eras, Kane held the mantle for a decade+.
In impact, leadership, clutch goals, and loyalty, Kane’s era will remain the standard for many years to come.
How eras change the striker’s task
When comparing the best Tottenham strikers of all time, we must factor in the shifting context:
- Tactical evolution: Old forwards often stayed central. Modern strikers drop deep, press, and play link roles.
- Defensive sophistication: Defenses now are zonal, fast, with pressing. Getting space is harder.
- Physical demands: Nutrition, fitness, speed matter more now than ever.
- Media and expectations: Every miss is magnified. The psychological load is heavier.
So when you see someone scoring 100 goals today, it’s not directly equivalent to 100 in the 1960s — the game has changed.
Debate points
- Was Greaves more electric than Kane, even if Kane scored more?
- Do we count only matches at Tottenham, or overall careers? (We stick to Tottenham)
- Does versatility hurt or help ranking?
- What about strikers who never made this list but had moments? (Fans’ sentimental votes abound)
These debates are healthy — they keep conversations alive. And the very existence of this article will stir fan arguments, as it should.
Final Thoughts
Best Tottenham strikers of all time is not just a phrase — it’s an invitation to relive glory, glory nights, hat-tricks, derby winners, and goals that echo through White Hart Lane (and its modern successor). This ranking by DuitKick isn’t the last word — it’s a passionate assembling of legends.
If you disagree, if your favorite striker isn’t here, tell us — leave a comment, share your top 5. And if you want deep dives on any of these names — stats, biography, highlights — I’m ready to dig in. Let’s keep celebrating those who made Spurs feared and loved.
