Spurs in History - 22nd October

22nd October, 1977
Spurs 9 Bristol Rovers 0 (2nd Division)
Following relegation at the end of the previous Spurs set about righting that situation in a positive way. The Directors had shown confidence in manageer, Keith Burkinshaw and the players led by captain, Steve Perryman were determined to win promotion at the first attempt and restore the club to its rightful in the top division of English football.


The season had started well and the fans, whose support never wavered, were enjoying the experience of visiting new grounds up and down the country. Having won all five home games, Spurs' first defeats had been in their previous two away games at Hull City and Charlton Athletic. The reverse in the London derby had seen Spurs give a poor performance as the lost 1-4, the first time the clubs had met competitively in league football for twenty years.


Spurs wanted to show that they could recover from this set-back and what a way to do it.


This was the first time that the clubs had met in League competition and what a memorable game and what a debut for Colin Lee (Pic. above Colin Lee as manager at Millwall) . The game got top billing on ‘Match of the Day’ and showed Spurs at their very best.


Injuries meant that Lee made his debut two days after signing from Torquay United for £60,000. Lee opened the scoring after twenty minutes and headed his second four minutes later. Peter Taylor scored before half-time and in the second half Lee scored two more, his strike partner, Ian Moores completed a hat-trick and the rout was completed with a goal from Glenn Hoddle who had created so many chances throughout the game.


This is Spurs' record Football League winning margin and what an important result it proved to be come the end of the season when Spurs won the final promotion place on goal difference from Brighton, exactly nine goals better than the south coast club.


Team:


Daines, Naylor, Holmes, Hoddle, McAllister, Perryman, Pratt, McNab, Moores, Lee, Taylor.


22nd October, 1932


Spurs 5 Southampton 0 (2nd Division)


Spurs were in their fifth season in the 2nd Division following relegation in May, 1928 and they had started disappointingly with only two wins in their opening eight games, although they had been very convincing wins over Charlton and Manchester United, 4-1 and 6-1 respectively.


Their form seemed to change through October following a 1-1 home draw against Oldham on the first day of the month. They won the next game at Preston (6-2), defeated Burnley 4-0 at White Hart Lane and this game against Southampton was another easy victory and two points which helped them move towards the top of the division.


'Taffy' O'Callaghan scored a hat-trick, with George Hunt and Willie Evans scoring the other goals.


Team:


Nicholls, Felton, Whatley, Colquuhoun, Rowe, Meads, Howe, O'Callaghan, Hunt,G.S., Greenfield, Evans,W.


[Centre half was Arthur Rowe who was to become Spurs' manager after the war and lead the club out of the 2nd division in 1949-50 and be 1st Division Champions the following year with his 'Push and Run' side.]


Spurs' good form continued in subsequent matches with victories at Millwall (4-0) and a similar score at home to Port Vale. They drew at Lincoln City before defeating Chesterfield 4-1 at home, winning 1-0 at Bradford City and hammering Swansea Town 7-0.


December was such a good month as they picked up only three points from three draws and one defeat. However in the new year their form returned and they managed to gain promotion in second place in the division.


This team became known as the 'greyhounds' such was the speed with which they played and the fans enjoyed a couple of exciting seasons watching them as they went on to finish 3rd in the 1st Division the next year. Unfortunately, it was a short period of success as they were unable to maintain this form and were relegated at the end of the following season, 1934-35.