31st March - Spurs in History

A Good Day for Spurs

31st March, 1962

Spurs 3 Manchester United 1 F.A.Cup Semi-final at Hillsborough

A second successive semi-final victory as Spurs endeavoured to retain the Cup. Victories over Birmingham City, after a replay, Plymouth Argyll, West Brom and Aston Villa had brought Spurs to this stage. United were in the lower half of the League but it would be a difficult game as the teams had drawn 2-2 at White Hart Lane and Spurs had lost by the only goal of the game earlier in the season at Old Trafford.

Goals from Jimmy Greaves, Terry Medwin and Cliff Jones ensured that Spurs won comfortably and returned to Wembley to meet the team they defeated in the previous year’s semi-final.

Greaves and Jones gave Spurs a two goal half-time lead. United scored with seven minutes remaining but Medwin ensured Spurs victory, scoring three minutes later.

31st March, 1961

Spurs 4 Chelsea 2 (1st Division)

Spurs won the first of the 'double-header' Easter games. Spurs were comfortable at the top of the 1st Division, closing in on their second championship in ten years and the first part of the 'Double.' Easter was a very busy period with three games in four days. This game was played on Good Friday, the next day Spurs entertained Preston North End and on Easter Monday they had the return game with Chelsea.

Spurs recovered their form over easter, winning all three games, having suffered a mini-slump in the previous three League games, losing at Cardiff City and at home to Newcastle while only drawing at Fulham.

Cliff Jones(2), Frank Saul and Les Allen scored the goals.

The following day, Jones scored a hat-trick and John White and Saul added the others in defeating Preston. The return against Chelsea was won 3-2 with goals from Norman, Smith and Medwin.

31st March, 1990

The last win on this day was against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Spurs won 4-2 and the goals were scored by Paul Allen, Gary Lineker(2) and Paul Stewart.

31st March, 2002

The last game played by Spurs saw them lose 2-0 to arsenal, with David Pleat in caretaker mode while Glenn Hoddle waited for clearance from Southampton.

31st March, 1917

During the 1st World War, Spurs played at Highbury against Portsmouth in the London Combination. They won 10 (ten)-0.

White Hart Lane was not available as it was being used as part of the war effort.