SPUR ANNOUNCE STADIUM DELAY

Tottenham are to move out of White Hart Lane for a period of one season after announcing a delay in the construction of their new stadium.

Tottenham are to move out of White Hart Lane for a period of one season after announcing a delay in the construction of their new stadium.

A High Court challenge has resulted in a revised construction programme, with the shortest build time meaning Spurs must leave White Hart Lane to allow the new stadium to be built.

However, this will not be in time for the start of the 2017-18 season.

A statement on the club's website read: "We should like to advise supporters that it is highly unlikely we shall be able to open the new stadium at the start of the 2017/2018 season.

"The club has revised its construction programme in order to take the shortest possible time to construct.

"This now therefore involves the club moving away from the Lane during construction for a period of one season, to start at the beginning of a season in order to comply with Premier League rules.

"We are currently undertaking due diligence on alternative stadium options."

Spurs plan to build a 56,250-capacity stadium next to the existing White Hart Lane ground, which holds around 36,240.

In July Spurs overcame a major hurdle after the government approved a compulsory purchase order allowing building work to begin.

However, seven years of negotiations with one landowner are still to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

"Archway Sheet Metal Works Ltd and the Josif Family have exercised their right to seek to challenge the secretary of state's decision in the High Court," the Spurs statement added.

"We remain committed to finding the earliest possible resolution and shall continue to engage with Archway regarding a possible agreement reached by private treaty."

Spurs believe moving to the three-hectare site will help them increase their revenues and compete better against Europe's top clubs.

In 2011, Tottenham lost out to West Ham in a bid to move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Whether sharing the Olympic Stadium with the Hammers, who move to the site in 2016, is an option remains to be seen.