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Tottenham Hotspur has been going through a rough patch recently. The club has undergone a couple of managerial changes and their sharpest spearhead, Harry Kane, has been unable to perform on top of his game this season.
Antonio Conte's reign was supposed to bring massive changes within the club and its performance. However, the former Inter Milan and Juventus boss is taking time to adapt to England's style of football.
Tottenham Hotspur haven't won a single major trophy since the 2008 EFL Cup. The last time the London club laid its hands on domestic silverware was in 1961. Even though the club has nurtured and purchased talented players, the team often loses them to bigger clubs.
Tottenham Hotspur has never shied away from giving opportunities to its young guns. In this article, let us take a look at a few such youngsters who were handed an opportunity at the club.
Ranking the 5 youngest debutants in Tottenham Hotspur's history.
#5 Frank Saul — 17 years 15 days
Frank Saul was part of Tottenham Hotspur's best ever season in history. He joined the London outfit in 1960 and was one of only 17 players used by the club in the double-winning side. Spurs swept the First Division title and the FA Cup title that year.
Frank Saul remained with the club for eight seasons between 1960-1968. The forward featured in 116 games and scored 37 goals for the team. Saul also earned an infamous record during his Tottenham Hotspur days for being the first red-carded Spurs player since 1928.
He left the club in 1968 for Southampton.
#4 Neil McNab — 16 years 09 months 30 days
Neil McNab started off his playing career with Greenock Morton in 1972. He became their youngest ever player. Aged 16, McNab joined Tottenham Hotspur two seasons later and became their youngest player as well.
While being a talented prodigy for the Scottish junior team at international level. McNab continued to play for the London outfit on a regular basis. He collected 72 games in the Spurs outfit in his four seasons with the team.
McNab's run of form attracted many top-level English clubs. He left London to join Bolton Wanderers and then Brighton and Hove Albion. McNab eventually joined Manchester City in 1983 and earned quite a reputation for himself.
McNab left Manchester City after playing over 221 games. He was one of their best players during the 80s.
#3 Ally Dick — 16 years 09 months 26 days
Alistair Dick, popularly known as Ally Dick, debuted against Manchester City at White Hart Lane. The feat took place on 20 February 1982 while Ally was a 16-year-old kid. Ally Dick earned widespread recognition during his youth days while playing for Scotland Schoolboys.
Ally Dick joined the Spurs as a trainee and played in 17 league games for the north London outfit. One of the highlights of Alistair's Tottenham Hotspur career was his appearance in the second leg of the 1984 UEFA Cup final. Ally got playing time as many senior and experienced players within the squad were unavailable due to injury.
The Scottish international himself was marred by injury but played regardless. The same injury went on to haunt him in the latter stages of his career. Ally Dick left Tottenham Hotspur to join Ajax after being spotted by Johan Cruyff.
#2 Dane Scarlett — 16 years 08 months 02 days
Dane Scarlett is one of the most notable talents within the ranks of Tottenham Hotspur and was influential in the U18 team's 2019-20 season. He was invited to train and play with the senior team in 2020-21 pre-season games. He had to return to the U18 squad as his services were much needed over there.
Dane Scarlett earned another call-up and was added to the bench ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League game against Ludogorets Razgrad. He came on for Lucas Moura. He kept shuffling between the senior team and the U18 side. He played his first Premier League game under Jose Mourinho on February 7 2021.
Aged 17, Scarlett has already made it into the England's U19 national team.
#1 Alfie Devine — 16 years 05 months 09 days
Alfie Devine broke Dane Scarlett's record to be the youngest player to debut for the London-based club. His debut at the age of 16 years and 163 days meant Dane's record was broken within two months. The feat came during Tottenham's third-round FA Cup match against Marine on 10 January 2021.
Devine was part of Liverpool's academy until he was released at the age of 11. Young Alfie Devine then joined Wigan Athletic's youth system and prospered with them. However, the club went into administration almost immediately and Alfie Devine was signed by Tottenham in July 2020.
The young midfielder impressed the London outfit during his Wigan Athletic days. Devine's Wigan defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the 2019–20 FA Youth Cup.
