MY ACCOUNT
Lifelong Tottenham fan Danny Goffey cannot wait to see Antonio Conte’s men lock horns with rivals Arsenal in the North London derby on Saturday.
In an exclusive column for LiveScore, the solo artist and founding member of British band Supergrass reveals all about his love of Spurs and his thoughts on the Gunners.
Read on as Goffey talks us through his admiration of Conte, his latest music and why a Spurs cup final song is still in the offing if they make it to Wembley.
Supporting Spurs
I’ve got a big brother who is three years older than me. When I was really young, I always had to be Liverpool when we played football in the garden and one of you was in goal.
Then around the time of the FA Cup finals in 1981 and 1982, I thought I want to be like my brother and support Spurs. I’ve just been a fan since then really.
I’m not a season ticket holder or a regular or anything like that. Football doesn’t rule my life but it certainly helps it.
But ever since that time I have been going to games.
World-class stadium
I’ve actually only been once to the new stadium because I’ve been so busy. I also live in Somerset so it’s a trek to get there. But I am going again to see the Liverpool game in early November.
I really enjoyed it when I went. It was like going to a mate’s party when they have a new house or something — it was really familiar.
It didn’t feel too much of a change.
I went to Wembley a few times when Spurs were there. That was another big stadium and I got used to it.
But I think the new one is great and I’m really pleased with it.
Derby drama
At the moment, Spurs are about as predictable as my teenage daughter’s mood swings. It’s always impossible to gauge how they’ll play.
It’ll be interesting to see how up for it they are. There have been a few games this season where they have sort of gotten away with performances.
Then again, the international break was pretty good for us. [Harry] Kane, [Heung-Min] Son and Richarlison all scored and going forward that will give them a lot of confidence going straight into this game.
Arsenal are looking pretty good. If I wasn’t a Spurs fan, I think I’d quite enjoy watching them. Obviously I am, so I don’t.
They look smooth, they’re trying to play a style like Manchester City and they have clearly got something right at the moment.
It’s a weird one because they do have some likeable players. Sometimes you just have to give teams credit when they are playing well. I’m not going to try and pick faults in them.
The actual game will be hard because someone was telling me Spurs have never won a lunchtime kick-off at the Emirates. A score draw would be a good result. It might sound a bit pessimistic but there we are.
Friendly rivalry
When I was a kid, I didn’t really develop the whole Arsenal vs Spurs rivalry.
It came more when I was older and got to go to more games. As a kid, I can’t remember being too into the whole North London derby.
Maybe if I grew up in Tottenham, those feelings would be a lot stronger. But because I’m a country bumpkin, living out in the sticks, it isn’t as clear in my mind.
Classy Conte
Conte is great. I think he has changed the mentality of the team. He doesn’t take much s**t, I imagine. He’s brought out a meaner side to the team which we haven’t really had.
I would be really surprised if he leaves without us having won anything. I hope I don’t eat those words. But I am sure we’re going to win something either this season or next.
I guess it depends how long he sticks around. Levy seems to be backing him quite well. Maybe he is just a bit scared of him.
Cup final anthem
I keep trying to do a song every year, usually around Christmas time with my son, who is a musician too. We start writing lyrics and stuff.
I’m getting closer. I’ve got something quite good together — maybe I need to see if I can go and sell it to Daniel Levy.
I’ve got a good chorus that incorporates the Come on you Spurs chant with a sort of Sex Pistols vibe. I’ve got the singalong chorus and this idea in my head of the North London white and blues.
Solo single
The song is about putting yourself out and about for the family and work commitments, and sometimes you just forget stuff.
It’s not in a mental health way or anything, more you forget to brush your hair or buy a new pair of trainers, or holes in your jeans and things like that.
You think I’ve sorted everyone else out, but haven’t had a look in the mirror. Typical narcissistic musician!
Danny Goffey’s new single Looking Out For Number One is available now, taken from his upcoming album Bryan Moone’s DiscoPunk, out October 21 via Distiller.
Danny Goffey was speaking to Matthew Storey
