Spurs in History - 29th May

29th May, 1974

Feyenoord 2 Spurs 0 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

Spurs knew that they were facing a very difficult task in this game as they were going into it on level terms from the 1st Leg. 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 and shame 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 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.

Spurs in History - 21st May

21st May, 1974

Spurs 2 Feyenoord 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

Spurs had reached their third European Final, the first English club to achieve this, and were undefeated through the early rounds. In a thrilling game, Spurs led twice but were pulled back by the soon to be crowned Dutch champions.

Spurs started well and it was twenty minutes before Pat Jennings touched the ball, from a back pass. They took the lead in the 39th minute, Mike England scoring with a header from a Ray Evans’ free-kick. However, they held the lead for only four minutes, a free-kick being bent round their defensive wall.

Spurs regained the lead after an hour from another free-kick with England involved but a Dutch defender got the final touch. With nine minutes remaining, Phil Beal went off injured and three minutes later Feyenoord equalised to give them the upper hand going into the second leg.

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

Spurs - Another First in Europe

Tottenham - 8 Consecutive wins in Europe

Dimitar Berbatov - the Star of Spurs UEFA Cup campaign

Last night's win at White Hart Lane against SC Braga gives Martin Jol's side a new record - 8 consecutive wins in European competitions. No other British club has achieved that number of wins in Europe.

It is an amazing record and one which started in Prague in early September, when a goal from Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs their solitary goal victory over Slavia Prague. A late goal from Robbie Keane was enough to secure the tie on a 2-0 aggregate and into the Group stage of the competition.

Spurs headed the five team group with a maximum 12 points following wins over Besiktas in Turkey, FC Brugge at White Hart Lane, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and the final home game against Dinamo Bucharest.

In Turkey goals from Ghaly and Berbatov gave Spurs an impressive win, while Dimitar Berbatov's goal was an indication of the class and goal scoring ability of the player who joined Spurs in the summer.

At White Hart Lane Berbatov (2) and Robbie Keane scored the goals in a 3-1 victory over FC Brugge from Belgium.

The next game saw Berbatov return to Germany to the club he had left to join Spurs and he quietly scored the only goal of the game to secure Spurs' win. The final game against the team, Dinamo Bucharest, hoping to oust Spurs from the top of the group was won with goals from Berbatov and Jermain Defoe (2).

The next round draw saw Spurs to meet old rivals from Holland, Feyenoord. However, Spurs received a bye when the Dutch side where expelled from the competition due to the bad behaviour of some of their ans in an earlier game against Lens.

The round of 16, paired Spurs with SC Braga from Portugal. The two cubs had previously met in the opening round of the UEFA Cup in 1984-84 season when Spurs were holders of the trophy. Spurs progressed comfortably then with a 9-0 aggragate win, 3-0 in Portugal and 6-0 at home. Spurs again scored three in Braga but it was a closer affair after the home side pulled back from two down to level and it was only an injury time goal from Robbie Keane which gave Spurs the advantage for the home leg. He had earlier scored the first goal and Steed Malbranque got the second. Dimitar Berbatov was the star of the game in Portugal when he had run Braga ragged but somehow failed to score. He made up for that in the return game by scoring two great goals to give Spurs a half-time lead after they had unexpectedly found themselves a goal behind against the run of play. A further goal from Malbrangue, created by Berbatov, secured Spurs place in the Quarter finals of the competition, where they are only British club left and the only club able to win it for a third time.

• Berbatov scored in four consecutive games and his failure to score in Portugal prevented him from becoming the first Spurs player to score in five consecutive European games.

• Dimitar Berbatov has now scored 7 goals in the UEFA Cup.
  
  
  

Spurs Say 'Bye' to Feyenoord in UEFA Cup

Spurs became the first team to reach the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup when the 'bye' was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration who rejected Feyenoord's appeal.

The tie has been in doubt since the ban imposed on Feyenoord for the misbeheavour of their fans in an earlier round of the competition. Spurs progress was confirmed yesterday when the Dutch club lost their appeal. Spurs next opponents will be the winners of the tie between Parma (Italy) and Braga (Portugal).

There are problems surrounding this tie because of the difficulties in Italian football which was suspended last weekend when a policeman was killed by rioting fans. Now only grounds which have been passed as safe for play can be used and currently the Parma ground has not been included in the grounds that are fit for the resumption of play.

Spurs fans, while pleased to have qualified for the next round of the competition are disappointed that they have been denied the opportunity to renew acquaintances with the Dutch side which they have met on a number of previous European competitions.


Previous European meetings between Spurs and Feyenoord:

1961-62 European Cup (1st R) 1st Leg (a) Won 3-1, 2nd leg (h) Draw 1-1

1973 -74 UEFA Cup Final 1st Leg (h) Draw 2-2, 2nd Leg (a) Lost 0-2

1983 - 84 UEFA Cup (2nd R) 1st Leg (h) Won 4-2, 2nd Leg Won 2-0

1991 - 92 European Cup Winners' Cup (Q/F) 1st Leg (a) Lost 0-1, 2nd Leg (h) Draw 0-0

Spurs record against Feyenoord:

P 8 W 3 D 3 L 2 For 12 Ag 9

The most disappointing result was the UEFA Cup Final defeat in 1973 - 74. Spurs had been held at home in the first game but the 2nd Leg was ruined when Spurs fans rioted during the game and Bill Nicholson had to make an appeal for calm and restraint during the half-time interval.

1974: Spurs 2 Feyenoord 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

Spurs had reached their third European Final, the first English club to achieve this, and were undefeated through the early rounds. In a thrilling game, Spurs led twice but were pulled back by the soon to be crowned Dutch champions. Spurs started well and it was twenty minutes before Jennings touched the ball, from a back pass. They took the lead in the 39th minute, Mike England scoring with a header from a Ray Evans’ free-kick. However, they held the lead for only four minutes, a free-kick being bent round their defensive wall. Spurs regained the lead after an hour from another free-kick with England involved but a Dutch defender got the final touch. With nine minutes remaining, Phil Beal went off injured and three minutes later Feyenoord equalised to give them the upper hand going into the second leg.

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

Feyenoord 2 Spurs 0 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

For the 2nd Leg in Rotterdam a week later, Spurs knew that they were facing a very difficult and daunting task as they were going into it on level terms from the 1st Leg. 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 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.

Happier memories surround the contests between the two clubs in the UEFA Cup 2nd round tie in 1983-84. Keith Burkinshaw's team were looking to add the European trophy to the impressive list of silverware acquired in the previous three seasons.

October, 1983: Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest. It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals. He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald. Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin. Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass. In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game to score twice but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

November, 1983: Feyenoord 0 Spurs 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (2nd Leg)

With two goals in hand in the 2nd leg, Spurs assured themselves of qualification for the next round when they gave an impressive display and scored through Chris Hughton after 25 minutes and then confirmed victory with a late goal from Tony Galvin. spurs aggregaste victory being an impressive 6-2 score line.

Spurs in History - 19th October

19th October, 2006

Besiktas (Turkey) 0 Spurs 2 (UEFA Cup - Group Stages)

Scorers: Ghaly, Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov

Spurs produced their best performance of the season in what had been regarded as a tricky UEFA Cup group game in Turkey.  A goal in each half saw Spurs win comfortably and in the latter stages if they had taken their chances, the win could have been even more convincing.  Spurs settled quickly and went ahead after 31 minutes when Hossam Ghaly was put through by Berbatov with only the goalkeeper to beat.  He delayed his shot and the goalkeeper blocked it but the ball rebounded onto Ghaly and into the net.  It was his first goal for Spurs and gave them a deserved half-time lead.

At the start of the second half the home team increased the pressure but with Michael Dawson and Ledley King comfortable in central defence and the midfield players working tirelessly, Spurs maintained control and after 63 minutes Dimitar Berbatov showed why Spurs paid the £11 million transfer fee for him.  Put through from a pass by Robbie Keane, he took on the defender and went round the goalkeeper and with defenders covering coolly scored Spurs second to secure victory.

A more convincing win could have been achieved if Spurs had taken all their chances.  Berbatov again pressured the defender and set up Keane who hit the bar, later Keane blazed over when through on goal and Jermain Defoe shot wide with his first touch in the final moments.

Jermaine Jenas worked tirelessly, covering acres of ground, Berbatov showed his class and Dawson and King controlled the defence.  Paul Robinson showed his class with comfortable saves and a great double save from a free kick late in the first half.

A very pleasing performance and result with Spurs top of the group and looking forward to more European success.

19th October, 1983

Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 (UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

Scorers: Galvin (2), Archibald (2)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest.  It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals.  He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald.  Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin.  Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass.

In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

Team:

Clemence, Hughton, Galvin, Roberts, Stevens, Perryman, Mabbutt, Archibald, Falco, Hoddle, Brooke (Crook). Att. 35,404

Spurs in History - 17th October

17th October, 1885

Spurs First Competitive Match.

Spurs 5 St Albans 2 (London Association Cup 1st Round)

Spurs played their first competitive match in the London Association Cup.  Prior to this, all of Spurs games had been friendlies.  Four hundred spectators attended the game against St Albans, a London-based business house.

The Spurs team included six of the club’s founder members but the goal scorers were not recorded. Spurs’ Cup success was short lived as they lost heavily in the next round to the Casuals, one of the biggest names in football’s early history.

Team:

Bumberry, Jull, Tyrell, Bull, Lovis, Casey, Buckle, Harston, Mason, Amos, Cottrell.

In 1894 Spurs played their first FA Cup tie against West Herts who later became Watford FC.

17th October, 1972

Jimmy Greaves' Testimonial Game

Spurs 2 Feyenoord 1

Jimmy Greaves was the first player to be given a testimonial game by Spurs.   In recognition of his great service to the club the club decided to reward him with this game.  Greaves had left Spurs in March, 1970 when he was transferred to West Ham United as part of the deal which saw Martin Peters move to Tottenham.   Greaves retired at the end of the 1970-71 season at the age of 31.

Greaves who, unknown to most, had been suffering from alcohol related problems, turned back the years to score for Spurs.  Such was his peformance that it was thought that he might be tempted out of retirement but it was only in non-League football that he was to appear.   Ray Evans scored Spurs' other goal in front of 45,799 spectators.