29th May - Spurs in History

Bill Nicholson was greatly disillusioned after Spurs' 1st Cup Final defeat in UEFA Cup

29th May, 1974

Feyenoord 2 Spurs 0 (Spurs Lost 2-4 on aggregate)

UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

Spurs knew that they were facing a very difficult task as they were going into the game on level terms, having twice been pulled back after going ahead in the 1st Leg at White Hart Lane. The task became even more difficult as fans rioted before, during and after the game.

Feyenoord went ahead in the first half and during half-time when Bill Nicholson should have been trying to focus the team on the task on hand, he was having to appeal to the fans for calm.

In the second half, Feyenoord continued to be in control and scored a second to end Spurs' record of never having lost a major Cup Final.

The behaviour of the rioting fans brought discredit on the Club, the team and those who went to loyally support the players as they tried to win another European trophy.

Bill Nicholson was greatly disappointed and disillusioned and his resignation a few weeks into the new season could be linked to the events in Holland, bringing to an end his long association with Tottenham Hotspur.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt (Holder), England, Beal; McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.