WHITE HART SHAME
Twitter users mock Spurs new stadium opening ceremony as ‘cringeworthy’ ahead of Palace clash
Fans were encouraged to take their seats early for a stellar display of lights, music and fireworks - but plenty were far from impressed
TOTTENHAM splashed the cash to unveil their new stadium with a grand opening ceremony - only for it to be blasted as "cringeworthy".
The spectacle was ridiculed on social media as both fans of Spurs and other teams watched on through their fingers.
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A host of club legends such as Robbie Keane and Ossie Ardiles were in attendance, as was comedian Michael McIntyre, while chairman Daniel Levy joined 62,000 others in the stands for the start of a new chapter in the club's history.
Supporters were told to get to their seats early to watch the ceremony - and they duly did, with some even getting in almost three hours early.
It all started with a video played on the giant TV screens showing everything from the farewell to White Hart Lane to the construction of the stadium to the promise of being "one of Europe's top clubs".
"Welcome home," the video finished, before a stunning musical performance by a choir of school children from Gladesmore Community School and two young singers including X Factor's Lanya Matthews.
The marching band - who played for 45 minutes earlier in the evening - then returned to welcome the players out of the tunnel to the chorus of 'When The Spurs Go Marching In'.
But then fans thought it had gone too far when a rendition of 'Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur' was finished off by a Neil Ruddock-or-Mike-Ashley-lookalike tenor, who was actually Welshman Wynne Evans - better known as the Go Compare man.
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And with Crystal Palace players and the referees had no doubt seen enough of the NFL-esque ceremony, a rapid firework display from the roof of the stadium capped it all off.
But while some described the occasion as "emotional" and "spine-tingling", others could not believe what they had witnessed and even labelled it "embarrassing".
Ben Kirby said: "Well that opening ceremony was cringeworthy."
Jamie Wright added: "Spurs obviously spent every last penny on building the stadium so couldn't afford a decent opening ceremony."
Bill Douglas, meanwhile, wrote: "Whoever organised that as an opening ceremony needs sacking!! Woeful."
And the derogatory comments continued to flood in.
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Max Napier described the event as "the worst thing I’ve ever seen," while Josh Dean "felt bad for the palace players and fans having to endure it live".
Spurs will be desperate their performance against Crystal Palace can live up to the elaborate pre-match festivities.
After all, Mauricio Pochettino's men have won just one point from 15 and are now in a battle to finish in the top four.
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