Spurs in History - 12th January

12th January, 1953

Spurs 9 Tranmere Rovers 1 (FA Cup 3rd Round Replay)

Tranmere were a mid-table team in the Third Division North and they had held Spurs to a 1 – 1 draw at home the previous Saturday when Les Bennett had been the goal scorer.

The Replay was a different matter. Played at White Hart Lane two days later, Spurs had to make four changes to the team as Clarke, Burgess, Bennett and Walters were missing through injury. Colin Brittan, Eddie Gibbins, Sid McClellan and Roy Hollis came in as replacements and helped Spurs win through goals from McClellan(3), Duquemin(2), Hollis(2)and Baily(2). Gibbins and Hollis were making their Spurs debut.

The successful team of the early 1950s had not made any impact in the F.A. Cup and many thought that this could be their year but after nine games, including four replays, scoring 21 goals with nine against, they failed in their fifth semi – final, against Blackpool by 2 – 1 when a late mistake by Ramsay, led to the winner.

Team: Ditchburn, Ramsay, Willis, Nicholson, Gibbins, Brittan, McClellan, Duquemin, Hollis, Baily, Medley.