Spurs in History - 1st May

1st May, 1963

Spurs 3 OFK Belgrade 1 European Cup Winners Cup Semi Final (2nd Leg).

Holding a one goal lead from the 1st Leg, Spurs progressed to their first European Final. However, it was a difficult match and Spurs were made to fight all the way. Without Jimmy Greaves who was suspended, having been sent off in the first game, Spurs took the lead through Dave Mackay.

OFK fought back to equalize and put Spurs under considerable pressure. In a tense game, Bill Brown and all of the defenders had to be at their best and it was a relief to everyone when Cliff Jones restored Spurs lead before half-time. Bobby Smith completed the scoring in the second half to make Spurs the first English club to reach a European final - progressing 5-2 on aggregate.

In the Final Spurs would play Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam.

Spurs in History - 24th April

24th April, 1963

OFK Belgrade 1 Spurs 2 European Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final (1st Leg)

Spurs went into this important game without their captain Blanchflower who still hadn't recovered from a long term injury and Cliff Jones injured in the previous weekend's game against Everton. Tottenham took the lead in this tie after 25 minutes when John White volleyed home a shot after Bobby Smith had nodded down a Tony Marchi free kick. OFK equalised nine minutes before half time from the penalty spot.

Into the second half Spurs continued to attack but they lost Jimmy Greaves who was unluckily sent off after 55 minutes. Not deterred, Spurs continued to push forward and took the lead when Terry Dyson scored with twenty minutes left.

Greaves was the first Spurs player to be sent off in over 39 years. On the night, Greaves was consoled by the Spurs trainer, Cecil Poynton, who had been the last player dismissed all those years earlier.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry, Marchi, Norman, Mackay; Greaves, Smith,J., Smith,R., White, Dyson.

Spurs in History - 21st April

21st April, 1982

Barcelona 1 Spurs 0 European Cup Winners’ Cup Semi Final (2nd Leg)

Following the brutal game at White Hart Lane which ended in a 1-1 draw there were many concerns over this match and while it never reached the same level of hostility, Barcelona carried on in much the same vein. The tie was settled in the second half and although they pushed forward Spurs could not find a way through the Barcelona defence.

The trophy targets that Spurs had had earlier in the season were gradually slipping away and now they were left with the F.A.Cup as their only chance of silverware.

Could they overcome the weariness of an arduous season to have something to celebrate?

5th March - Spurs in History

5th March, 1938

The record attendance at White Hart Lane is 75,038 and was achieved for a FA Cup 6th Round game against Sunderland.

Spurs were in the 2nd Division and Sunderland were the Cup holders. One goal separated the teams and it went to the visitors but before Sunderland scored Spurs had a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances. Colin Lyman fired in a shot which beat the goalkeeper but Jack Gribbons following in to make sure the ball was over the line, handled the ball. The referee gave the goal but the linesman was of the view that he had handled the ball before it crossed the line. The referee had been closer to the incident but he took the linesman's advice and disallowed the goal.

1963 - Not a good day in Europe.

Bill Nicholson was furious after Spurs lost the 1st Leg of the European Cup Winners' Cup tie against Slovan Bratislava. Two goals behind after the away game was going to make the return match at White Hart Lane very difficult. The mangaer accused the team of being sloppy and half-asleep. Would the harsh criticism inspire the team to greater effort in the second leg?

1921 - Spurs are on their way to a second FA Cup win.

Playing Aston Villa in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, Spurs won by a single goal at White Hart Lane. Thew teams had met at the same stage of the competition in the previous season when Spurs has lost. However, they gained revenge this time with a goal scored by Jimmy Banks. The goal was created by two of the star members of the team - Jimmy Dimmock and Jimmy Seed. Spurs' win was more convincing that the single goal suggests.

Spurs next oppentents in their quest for the Cup would be Preston North End in the semi-final.