Spurs fans were whipped up into a frenzy in Amsterdam this week when their team clinched a last-gasp winner against Ajax in the Champions League.
The army of loyal Tottenham supporters erupted inside the Johan Cruijff Arena when Lucas Moura slotted in the extra-time goal, aware that they had just witnessed one of the most spectacular nights in the north London club’s long history.
But as the Spurs chants swung around the stadium, three dejected lifelong fans had already plodded back to their hotel because, after sinking 12 pints each, they had mistaken half-time for full-time.
Michael Perkins and his sons James and Will missed Wednesday’s epic 3-2 comeback after leaving their seats when Tottenham was 2-0 down and ‘all hoped seemed lost’ of winning the cup semi-final.
Michael, James and Will Perkins, in their drunken state, mistook half-time for full-time and missed Tottenham’s epic second-half comeback against Ajax and were forced to celebrate the victory in their Amsterdam hotel bar (pictured)
Before kick-off the trio drank 12 pints each in the Dutch bars which caused them to miss one of the greatest night’s in the club’s history (Michael and Will pictured in Dam Square)
Before the game, the family of season ticket holders from south London had enjoyed a seven-hour knees-up in the Dutch bars.
And, in their drunken state, left just before the 45th minute because a supposed uphill struggle of three goals seemed impossible.
Social media producer James, 23, said: ‘We just thought there was no way we were going to score three goals in less than five minutes.
‘We were pretty poor and were having no chances at all. We all left just before half time – thinking it was full time.
‘We didn’t look like we were ever going to score. All three of us were pretty drunk and just didn’t think we were going to score.
‘No one was talking and everyone thought the game was over at that point. We thought we were leaving at the perfect time and wanted to beat the rush out of the ground.’
However, there was still a full half of football left to play in Amsterdam – which turned out to be a 45-minute spell that will go down in club history.
The family of season ticket holders left their seats when Tottenham was 2-0 down and ‘all hoped seemed lost’ of winning the cup semi-final (pictured outside the stadium)
After James received a call from a friend asking why they had left early, the penny dropped and James, Michael and Will rushed back to their hotel and managed to catch the last half an hour of the match in the hotel bar
Drunk and miserable, the three heartbroken fans began to make their way back to their hotel in central Amsterdam.
But as they stood on the metro station platform, James received a phone call from a friend just as the second half was getting underway.
It was then that the penny dropped and James realised he had walked out of the stadium at half time rather than full time.
Whilst he was on the phone to his friend, Spurs scored the first of their three goals, which sparked the start of a memorable comeback.
James, Michael and Will rushed back to their hotel and managed to catch the last half an hour of the match in the hotel bar.
He took off his shirt and ran around the bar and celebrated as if he was still stood in the stands when the final goal went in and Spurs sealed a sensational victory.
James paid 64 euros for his ticket and has travelled around Europe all season watching Spurs in the Champions League
James added: ‘We were stood waiting for the train and my friend called me. He couldn’t believe we had left. He said the game was still going on.
‘He told me when Spurs scored the first goal. I was so confused. But then I realised no one was stood around us waiting for a train.
‘We were able to watch in the bar and to be honest, I’m fine with it now. I was still excited to be watching because of what was happening.
‘I was just happy we were coming back. It’s still amazing to see us reach the final.
‘It was an unbelievable feeling when we had won. I took my shirt off and started running around.
‘Obviously, it would have been better to be there but it was still an incredible experience for sure. We celebrated as if we were still at the ground.’
James paid 64 euros for his ticket and has travelled around Europe all season watching Spurs in the Champions League.
James (pictured) , his dad and his brother arrived in Amsterdam for the Champions League semi-final second leg at 1pm on Wednesday. They arrived at the ground in time for the 8pm kick off, but due to a drunken mix-up, missed the start of the match
Blurry-eyed James even tried to get into the Amsterdam Arena using a ticket for an old Tottenham match
James, his dad and his brother arrived in Amsterdam for the Champions League semi-final second leg at 1pm on Wednesday.
They arrived at the ground in time for the 8pm kick off, but due to a drunken mix-up, missed the start of the match.
Blurry-eyed James even tried to get into the Amsterdam Arena using a ticket for an old Tottenham match.
He arrived at his seat ten minutes into the match – when Spurs were already losing – and meant he thought he had missed a full half of football.
James said: ‘We thought we had left at the perfect time to beat the rush at full time.
‘I left and my dad and brother followed me.
‘I’m still happy but that’s the last time I ever leave a football match early.’
James is hoping to attend the Champions League Final in Madrid with his dad and brother on June 1.
Spurs will take on Liverpool at the Estadio Metropolitano, where one team will be crowned the champions of Europe.