The flags have been flying at half-mast today over my beloved White Hart Lane. Billy Nick died this morning. At 85 years old he was our club president.

Most of the world won’t know this man’s name or how important he was to us. He was our rock. Our leader.

I have shed many tears today. This man led us as a player, later as a manager and more recently as our president. He was ‘Spurs through and through’. He knew the meaning of the words ‘loyalty’ and ‘commitment’ unlike our erstwhile ‘spurs till I die’ players like Sol Campbell, he knew what it was like to be a true Blue.

Some things are fate and just meant to be – I was meant to be a Spurs fan….I was born on the first day of their double winning season in august 1960 and although I didn’t realise the magnitude of that until sixteen year later, in 1976, when I started watching the Spurs, I now know it was fate that drew me to the North London club that has become my home.

My photo today is of Bill Nicholson Way – the main entrance into White Hart Lane.

Nothing I can say can capture the way I feel tonight. I feel such a deep sadness, such a hole in our history, such a gap in our leadership.

I have in my possession a treasure – a pin badge of the Spurs Cockerel on a football. I was given it by my friend Audrey, who was given it by Billy Nick himself many years ago. I have always treasured it and now it has an especial poignancy.

Today the ground resonated to the sound of ‘Billy Nick’s blue and white army’ , there was a video tribute and a minute’s silence. During the silence, all that could be heard was the sound of rain on the roof. And it rained. It came down in sheets. It bucketed. The silence was deafening. There could be no doubting Billy Nick’s place in all of our hearts.

We got wet but we never forgot our hero. Billy Nick. We love you Billy.

The team didn’t do Billy’s memory justice – we lost 1-2 but we, the fans, remember nevertheless. I don't begrudge Sam Allerdyce's men - they are playing out of their skins. Good on them I say.

So tonight, Billy Nick, the hero of White Hart Lane, we salute you and everything you did for our club. Billy Nick’s blue and white army sing for you and grieve for the club and your family.

Night Night Billy – may you rest in peace. We will never forget what you did for us.