Tottenham's Disappointment of Losing The Cup

It was twenty five years ago today, 16th May, 1987 that Spurs lost their first FA Cup Final.  After seven successful Finals, Spurs' amazing record was gone as they lost to Coventry City at Wembley.  They had already sacrificed their record of never losing in a Cup Final or at Wembley in 1982 when they lost out in the League/Milk Cup Final to Liverpool but this was the big one.

Coventry City 3 Tottenham  Hotspur 2 (aet)

Scorers: Bennett, Houchen, Mabbutt o.g                          Allen, C., Mabbutt 

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Mabbutt, Gough, Thomas, T.; Allen, P., Ardiles (Stevens), Hoddle, Hodge, Waddle, Allen, C.

Spurs had arrived at Wembley after a very impressive season which had seen David Pleat's team finish third in the 1st Division behind Everton and Liverpool.  They had lost in the semi-final of the Littlewoods League Cup to Arsenal after a replay was required, the tie ending all square after home and away legs.  Arsenal's late winner at White Hart Lane in that third match was the only time they had led in the tie.  


Clive Allen had been the relevation of the season as he set a new goalscoring record for Spurs - 49 in all competitions, breaking the record previously held by Jimmy Greaves.  The season started with his hat-trick against Aston Villa at Villa Park as Spurs claimed a 3 - 0 success and carried on from there.  David Pleat introduced a system where he played as a lone striker supported by five in midfield and very successful it proved.


Spurs' Road to Wembley:
Spurs' progress to the FA Cup Final had been quite serene with few difficulties along the way with Allen scoring four goals in the competition.  This was to be Glenn Hoddle's last season with Spurs and so it was extra special for him to leave on a high note.

3rd R.  v Scunthorpe United (h)  Won 3 - 2  Mabbutt, Waddle, Claesen
4th R.  v Crystal Palace (h)  Won 4 - 0  Mabbutt, Allen, C. (pen), Claesen, Opp. o.g.
5th R.  v Newcastle United (h)  Won 1 - 0  Allen, C. (pen)
6th R  v Wimbledon (a)  Won 2 - 0  Waddle, Hoddle
Wimbledon often proved a difficult side for Spurs to beat as they disliked their long ball, high pressured play and often came off second best.  David Pleat’s side, however, showed their worth in a visit to Plough Lane and with application and commitment went through as the skill of Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle provided the goals to ensure the ‘Diamond Lights’ were still shining for the semi-final tie. 
S.F. (Villa Park)  v Watford  Won 4 - 1  Hodge (2), Allen, C., Allen, P.
This semi-final was one of the easiest Spurs have ever played. Watford went into the game at Villa Park with goalkeeping problems and had to call up an emergency keeper as their regular keepers were injured.   A 4-1 victory did not flatter Spurs as David Pleat’s side continued their good form and won through goals from Steve Hodge(2), Clive Allen and Paul Allen. Coventry City were their unexpected opponents in the Final.

FA Cup Final:   

'Gary Mabbutt's Knee'

Spurs were firm favourites to lift the trophy as they returned to Wembley for their third FA Cup Final in seven years while Coventry were at this stage of the competition for the first time.

A goal after two minutes from Clive Allen who headed in Chris Waddle's cross seemed to justify their position as favourites but it wasn't to be.  Coventry were level within seven minutes and although Gary Mabbutt had restored Spurs' lead before half-time, Coventry came back to take the game into extra time.  Their equaliser came from a diving header by Houchen, the goal that appears regularly in photographs and video shots of the 1987 Final.

After six minutes of extra time Coventry went ahead when a cross deflected off Mabbutt's knee and looped over Ray Clemence's head.  There was no way back for Spurs as they lost their first FA Cup Final.

BBC commentator, John Motson, described the game as 'the finest Cup Final I've ever had the pleasure of commenting on.'

That was little compensation for Spurs as they finished the season without a trophy as the 'nearly' men.

Read about some of Spurs successful Cup Finals:

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 

FA Cup Finals:

1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991

Spurs in History - 27th August

27th August, 1988

‘Game Off!’

While the rest of the football world got their season under way, Spurs had to call off their home game against Coventry City because they could not get a safety certificate. Work on the redevelopment of the East Stand had been going on through the summer and although the work was not complete, they had been assured that they would pass the necessary safety regulations. However, six hours before kick-off the safety authorities refused to issue the certificate. The fans were very upset as they had been awaiting the home debut of the new summer signing, Paul Gascoigne.

Spurs in History - 16th May

16th May, 1987

Spurs' First Defeat in the FA Cup Final

Coventry City 3 Spurs 2 F.A.CUP FINAL at Wembley (aet).

The unthinkable had happened, Spurs lost an F.A.Cup Final.

A season that had promised so much had ended disappointingly with Spurs having nothing to show for all their exciting play and effort – David Pleat's ‘nearly’ team – beaten semi-finalists in the League Cup and third in the League. Spurs were favourites to win the Cup against unfancied Coventry and it had started so well with Clive Allen scoring his 49th goal of the season after two minutes. Coventry equalised shortly afterwards only for Gary Mabbuttt to restore Spurs’ lead.

In a very open game Coventry drew level to take the game into extra time and eventually won the Cup when a cross hit Gay Mabbutt and looped over Ray Clemence’s head into the goal.

Great disappointment and very hard on the great club player Mabbutt. A very disappointing end to a long season and especially for Glenn Hoddle who was playing his last game for Spurs.

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Thomas,M.; Hodge, Gough (Captain), Mabbutt; Allen, C.,Allen, P.,Waddle, Hoddle, Ardiles (Stevens)

Spurs in History - 17th March

17th March, 1956
Manchester City 1 Spurs 0 F.A.Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park.


Spurs were finding it difficult to progress beyond the semi-final, for the third time since the war, Spurs lost a semi-final tie at Villa Park. Tommy Harmer had played an important part in ensuring Spurs' progress to the semi-final but the manager, Jimmy Anderson, decided to drop him from this game feeling his light build would struggle against the stronger City defenders. However, Spurs struggled without Harmer and went behind but with time running out, Captain Danny Blanchflower (pic.) moved centre half Maurice Norman forward as he had successfully done in the previous round.

Although Spurs should have had a penalty, they couldn’t equalize and afterwards the manager was furious at Blanchflower’s changes. As a consequence, Blanchflower, a man of principle, resigned as captain and didn’t hold that position for the next two seasons.

17th March, 2001

Spurs 3 Coventry City 0 Premiership

Spurs' last game on St Patrick's Day was a comfortable 3-0 win against Coventry City who were relegated at the end of the season and it was the first game after George Graham's departure from White Hart Lane. The goals were scored by Les Ferdinand, Steffan Iversen and Sergei Rebrov and supporters were almost treated to a once in a life time experience - it looked as if Steffan Freund (pic.) was about to core his first goal for the club. He broke clear on the right and cut in on goal, his shot across goal beat the goalkeeper and with everyone on their feet, the ball slid past the wrong side ofthe post. So nearly a 'classic' moment.

Freund was totally committed but in over 130 League and Cup appearances for Spurs during his five years at the club from 1999 to 2003, he failed to score a single goal in a competitive match. His only appearance among the goal scorers was in a pre-season friendly against Stevenage Borough.

The team against Coventry was under the control of Graham's Assistant, Stewart Houston but he was replaced on a temporary basis by Director of Football, David Pleat while we awaited the arrival of the manager everyone wanted at White Hart Lane. It was no secret that the position was for Glenn Hoddle, it was only a matter of time until agreement was reached with Southampton so that Hoddle and his assistant John Gorman could take control at Tottenham. It duly happened and their first game in charge was the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal three weeks later.

Spurs in History - 14th October

14th October, 1967

Coventry City 2 Spurs 3

This was Spurs’ first meeting with Coventry City in the First Division and their first visit to Highfield Road for eighteen seasons following Coventry’s promotion.

The game was entertaining and Spurs won thanks to goals from Jimmy Greaves (2) and Cliff Jones.

It was Spurs third away win of the season and restored some order as they had lost heavily in the previous three away games at Burnley, Highbury and Old Trafford.

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles, Mullery, England, Beal, Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables, Jones.

14th October, 2000

Sergei Rebrov

A less successful trip to play Coventry in the Premiership saw Sergei Rebrov score Spurs' only goal in a 1-2 defeat to make it four successive away defeats.   In his first season with Tottenham, this goal brought record signing Rebrov's total to 5 having scored twice the previous weekend in a 3-4 defeat at Leeds United.


Away from White Hart Lane, Spurs under George Graham had gained one point at Middlesbrough in the first away game in August and it was not until February that Spurs were to take all three points on their travels.  On that occasion another Rebrov goal was enough to beat Manchester City.

17th March - Spurs in History

Goodbye, George Graham.

Spurs 3 Coventry City 0

Out - George Graham

Rarely can a Spurs victory have been so overshadowed by events off the field.  The previous day, Spurs announced the departure of their manager George Graham.  The manager did not have the support of the fans because of his long association with Arsenal and his style of play also annoyed supporters who had to endure four successive 0-0 score lines in the League in January and February. The 'official' reason given was that Graham had made critical comments to journalists about money being available to sign players.

In - Glenn Hoddle?

However, the team had showed improved form and style in FA Cup, having reached the semi-final after victories over Leyton Orient, Charlton, Stockport and West Ham.  The win over West Ham had been on the previous Sunday and with a semi-final against Arsenal, his departure came as a complete shock.  Many rejoiced at his departure, especially with speculation that Glenn Hoddle would return as manager.  However, with such an important came to come, the timing may not have been the best.

With David Pleat in charge, once again, the players appeared to have no difficulty with the departure and performed well against a Coventry team who were finally to relinquish their Premiership position at the end of the season.  The goals were scored by Steffan Iversen, Les Ferdinand and Sergei Rebrov.

The star of the show was Stephen Carr who rampaged up and down the right wing at will to create opportunities for the fowrwards. This was Carr at his best, before his operation and before his attitude changed so dramatically.

The 35,606 supporters present almost witnessed a 'special' moment.  It would have been a collectors' item - a Steffan Freund goal.  He broke on the right towards the Paxton Road end, cut in on goal and shot across the goalkeeper - it looked a goal all the way but shaved the far post.  So close but so far and he never managed to score a competitive goal for Spurs.

A St. Patrick's Day trip to remember.