Photo: Acabashi / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Australia's official Tottenham supporters club, OzSpurs, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week as the club tours Sydney. The group, founded in 2002, is one of the largest official Spurs supporters clubs worldwide.
Sean Bielski, OzSpurs president, has been based in Australia since 1998 and has followed the club from afar for nearly three decades. He traced his support back to a chance moment in the late 1970s when his grandfather, Fred, a Fulham fan, introduced him to the game.
"My grandad was from London and he was a massive Fulham fan," Bielski said. "It just so happened Fulham were playing Spurs that day, and I'm like, 'I think I love this team'. That's where it all started."
Bielski described the logistical demands on Australian supporters, with Sydney sitting nine hours ahead of London. A 5.30pm UK kick-off translates to a 2.30am local start, yet members gather at chapter venues across the country.
"We're all pretty dedicated, getting up at stupid o'clock every weekend," Bielski said. "It's not just about football, it's about bringing people together."
The club's Europa League final drew 200 fans to a single venue for a 5am local kick-off, with every OzSpurs venue selling out that night.
Tottenham have visited Australia five times in the past 11 years, having returned in 2015 after a 30-year absence. For Bielski, the Sydney trip coinciding with the anniversary carries particular significance.
"We're celebrating 25 years, so what better time to do it," he said. "I'm sure we'll create memories for life for a lot of the younger fans. That's what it's all about."