The deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Michael Ashcroft, has bought a four per cent stake in Tottenham.

The Telegraph says Lord Ashcroft also bought a stake in Watford in March 2006. Like Spurs, Watford has plans to increase capacity at its matches by providing additional seating at its Vicarage Road stadium.

Spurs, currently 11th in the Premiership and listed on the Alternative Investment Market, has watched its shares soar in the past 12 months on hopes that it's improving performances and plans for a new stadium could make it a takeover target.