Members enjoy play reflecting on ‘The Ghost of White Hart Lane’

Sporting Memories Scotland Club members, volunteers and staff were invited along to the Edinburgh Fringe festival to take in a performance of ‘The Ghost of White Hart Lane’, which focuses on the life of former Scotland and Tottenham Hotspur forward John White and the journey of his son Rob in getting to know the father and football legend who was tragically killed by lightning when Rob was just six months old.

Members and volunteers from across our Scottish Clubs in Broxburn, Juniper Green, Corstorphine, Musselburgh and Dalkeith all made their way to Underbelly Bristo Square in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 August to watch the play alongside John White’s son Rob.

The play, produced by Bruised Sky Productions, focuses on the life of John as a footballer for Tottenham in the 1960s, where he was part of the first ever team in the 20th century to win a league and FA Cup Double, and his subsequent passing in 1964 when he was struck by lightning whilst playing golf.

The play also follows Rob’s journey of discovery - getting to know the father, footballer and man he never got to properly meet, being just a baby at the time of his father’s passing when he was just 27.

The powerful production included a great one-man performance by Actor Cal Newman who played both John and Rob. Enjoyed by both our Club Members and Volunteers, they afterwards reflected on how emotional it made them feel, with familiar connections to football and family running deep throughout the show.

Following the performance, Members and Volunteers from Sporting Memories had the chance to meet Rob and Cal sharing both their enjoyment of the show as well as some of their own memories of John.

One Member, Bill Woods, from our Juniper Green Club and originally from Musselburgh where John lived as a boy, was able to share with Rob his own memories of playing football with John as a lad in the town.

Donna Mackey, Partnerships Manager for Sporting Memories, was also at the performance in Bristo Square, and commented on a pleasant day for all involved.

“A huge thank you to Rob and everyone involved in the production of The Ghost of White Hart Lane. We had some brilliant feedback from our Club Members and Volunteers on how much they enjoyed the show and talking to Rob, and how the story resonated with them and their own memories of his father’s playing days.”

“It's also great to bring Members and Volunteers together from different Sporting Memories Clubs - they enjoy it so much when they have the opportunity to undertake activities like this and share their memories - it's a nice reminder for them that there are other Clubs out there just like theirs!”

The Ghost of White Hart Lane is performing at Underbelly Bristo Square until Monday 26 August. For information on how to visit the play, please visit the website here.

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