Spurs in History - 23rd May

23rd May, 1984

Spurs 1 RSC Anderlect 1 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg) (aet) [Won 4-3 on penalties]

The 1st Leg in Belgium had ended 1-1, thanks to a Paul Miller goal and this match developed into a titanic struggle as Anderlect went ahead on the hour. Spurs were without Ray Clemence and Glenn Hoddle injured while Steve Perryman suspended after being booked in the first game.

Their stand-in Captain, Graham Roberts, now became their inspiration and drove them forward in search of the equaliser. It came six minutes from time when from a corner, Ossie Ardiles hit the bar and the ball rebounded to Roberts who blasted it home.

Extra time was tense and then the penalty shoot-out brought forward and unexpected new hero, Tony Parks.

Roberts led by example and scored the first penalty, then Parks deputising for Clemence, saved the first penalty and after Danny Thomas had missed what would have been the winning score he saved the final shot before setting off on a jubilant stampede across the WHL pitch followed by his exultant team mates. The other penalties were scored by Mark Falco, Gary Stevens and Steve Archibald.

Spurs had won the trophy for their departing manager, Keith Burkinshaw and the celebrations went on long into the night.

Team:Parks; Thomas, Roberts(Capt), Miller(Ardiles), Hughton;Hazard, Stevens, Mabbutt(Dick), Galvin; Archibald, Falco

Spurs in History - 15th May

15th May, 1963

A European Night to Remember!

Atletico Madrid 1 Spurs 5

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP FINAL in Rotterdam.

Spurs produced their best ever display in a Final to overcome difficult opponents who were the holders of the trophy. Spurs went into the game without their inspiration, Dave Mackay who was injured. Nicholson was reportedly very worried about the Spaniards and built them up but Blachflower reminded the players of their own success and capabilities.

Jimmy Greaves gave Spurs an early lead and John White added a second. Then Atletico came back at Spurs putting them under intense pressure, eventually conceding a penalty but Terry Dyson, playing the game of his life, increased Spurs lead with a long cross that sailed over the keeper’s head. Greaves scored his second and Dyson did likewise to complete a glorious European night for Spurs - the first British club to win a European trophy.

All of Tottenham had moved to Holland for that game and they celebrated long into the night.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower(Captain), Norman, Marchi; Jones, White, Smith, Greaves, Dyson.

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 - 21st March

21st March, 1999

Leicester City 0 Spurs 1 WORTHINGTON CUP FINAL at Wembley

A day filled with European and Cup drama.

In 1953 Spurs lost an F.A.Cup semi-final tie to Blackpool when an Alf Ramsey mistake saw Spurs concede the winning goal with ten seconds left.

In 1962 Spurs lost 3-1 to Benfica in the European Cup semi final 1st Leg tie in Lisbon.

Alan Nielsen celebrates winning the Worthington Cup and MOTM award

However to mark the last success experienced by Spurs we note this Cup victory thanks to a last minute goal from Allan Nielsen. In a rather dour game, Spurs only came to life when reduced to ten men when Justin Edinburgh was sent off. The game seemed to be heading for extra time when Iversen broke on the right to cross and Nielsen was there to head into the net after Kasey Keller, who later was to join Spurs, had pushed the ball out.

Team: Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh; Anderton, Freund, Nielsen, Ginola (Sinton); Iversen, Ferdinand.

Spurs in History - 13th March

13th March, 1982

Liverpool 3 Spurs 1(aet) LEAGUE/MILK CUP FINAL at Wembley.

Thirteenth, unlucky for some and certainly for Spurs in their centenary year. Two amazing records finally came to an end in this game – unbeaten in domestic Cup Finals and unbeaten at Wembley.

However, it looked to be going so well with Steve Archibald giving Spurs the lead after 11 minutes. Liverpool pressed but the Spurs defence was holding firm and then with four minutes remaining Archibald had a chance to secure victory but delayed his shot and the chance was gone. Within a minute Liverpool had equalised and in extra time they scored twice more against a deflated Spurs team. However, Spurs were still looking for success in the League, the F.A.Cup and in Europe.

Team: Clemence; Perryman, Hughton; Price, Hazard(Roberts), Miller; Ardiles, Archhibald, Galvin, Hoddle, Crooks.

13th March, 1936

On this day, one six line paragraph in the Weekly Herald, headlined 'On Trial' stated:

"Spurs are giving a month's trial to an amateur Wm. E. Nicholson, an inside right of Scarborough Working Man's Club. He recently celebrated his 17th birthday. His height is 5ft 8 ins and weight 10st 12 lbs."

And so Bill Nicholson arrived at Tottenham Hotspur where he served with distintion as a payer, coach and manager. He later returned as Consultant and became Club President.

Spurs in History - 3rd March

3rd March, 1973
Spurs 1 Norwich City 0 LEAGUE CUP FINAL at Wembley.

Ralph Coates scored the goal which took the League Cup to White Hart Lane for the second time in three seasons. He had been substitute on the day but an injury after twenty five minutes to the unlucky John Pratt gave Coates his chance.

Norwich defended stoutly throughout the game but the breakthrough came after 72 minutes. Spurs then became more dominant in a game that was memorable only to Coates and Spurs fans.

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Pratt (Coates), England, Beal; Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Pearce.

Spurs in History - 27th February

Two goal hero Martin Chivers celebrates winning the League Cup with manager Bill Nicholson and captain Alan Mullery

27th February, 1971
Aston Villa 0 Spurs 2 League Cup Final at Wembley

Having defeated Swansea, Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City and Bristol City to reach their first League Cup Final, Spurs had to play 3rd Division Aston Villa, not as easy a task as could have been expected.

Villa made it very difficult for Spurs but they eventually came through thanks to two excellent goals late in the second half. With twelve minutes remaining, Martin Chivers scored against the run of play and then three minutes later added a second.

Chivers' late strikes maintained Spurs 100% record in Cup Finals and Bill Nicholson had produced another winning team that was about to uphold the Spurs tradition of Cup success in the coming years at home and in Europe.

Team:Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery (Capt), Collins, Beal: Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Neighbour. Sub: Pearce.

Spurs in History - 24th February

24th February, 2002

Spurs 1 Blackburn Rovers 2 [Worthington Cup Final at Millenium Stadium, Cardiff]

Spurs' performance was very disappointing, especially after the excellent display in the semi-final when they defeated Chelsea 5-1 at White Hart Lane in the 2nd leg of the semi-final. Spurs were favourites but the Blackburn players were more up for the game, the whole Spurs team performing below par. Blackburn took the lead after 24 minutes, only for Christian Ziege to equalize nine minutes later.

In the second half Spurs missed opportunities, especially Les Ferdinand, and were denied by the Blackburn goalkeeper but a mistake by Ledley King let in Blackburn for the winner after 68 minutes. Spurs tried but weren’t going to score and even appeals for a late penalty were turned down.

It was a long way back from Cardiff for the disappointed fans as Spurs suffered only the fourth Cup Final defeat in their history -

1973-74 UEFA Cup Final v Feyenoord

1981-82 League/Milk Cup Final v Liverpool

1986-87 FA Cup Final v Coventry City

Team: Sullivan; Taricco (Davies), Ziege, Perry, Thatcher, King, Sherwood, Poyet (Iversen), Anderton, Sheringham, Ferdinand.