Jimmy Robertson - Unique at Tottenham Hotspur

Jimmy Robertson

This arose as a question on the COYS message board earlier today.


Which player who has played for both Spurs and Arsenal in a North London derby has scored for both clubs? - only one player has achieved this feat!

An update: (26th February, 2012) On this day, Jimmy Robertson lost his unique position in Tottenham history as Emmanuel Adebayor scored for Tottenham against Arsenal to add to his many goals scored against Spurs. (Read more)

Over Spurs' 125 years history there are only a small number of players who have played for both clubs and transfers between the two North London clubs are rare.

However, only one player has managed to score for both clubs in a North London derby and it was Jimmy Robertson.

He joined Spurs from St Mirren in 1963 and was a member of Spurs FA Cup winning team in 1967, scoring in the Final against Chelsea.

His goal for Spurs against Arsenal was in the 3-1 home win in October, 1964, the other goals scored by Jimmy Greaves and Frank Saul.

He was transferred to Arsenal in October, 1968, in exchange for David Jenkins - not one of manager Bill Nicholson's best transfer deals. Jenkins made only a few appearances for Spurs while Robertson played for Arsenal for two seasons before moving on to Ipswich Town and Stoke City.

His goal for Arsenal against Spurs was at Highbury in September, 1969 when Spurs won 3-2 with goals from Alan Gilzean, John Pratt and Martin Chivers.

Spurs in History - 3rd August

3rd August, 1974

Hearts 1 Spurs 1 (Pre-season Friendly)

On holiday in Edinburgh I went to this game and when Spurs scored I was the only person celebrating in the stand – much to the concern of my girlfriend.

The game was very low key, Spurs were playing their first pre-season game and were without Chivers, injured, and had Chris Jones leading the attack.

Spurs goal was scored by substitute John Pratt when he equalised late in the second half from what looked like a decidedly off-side position – but they all count!

My girl friend then insisted on walking away from the ground as close to the nearest policeman that she could find. It's the one and only Spurs' match she has ever attended and we've been married 31 years.

John Pratt - Spurs Legend

John Pratt was born on 26th June, 1948

He was a loyal servant to the club for whom he signed as an amateur, before signing as a professional in 1965. His debut was against Arsenal at Highbury in March,1969. Although the team lost 0-1, Pratt kept his place and started eight of the last ten games of the season.

For the next three seasons he made infrequent appearances although his first goal was in a 3-2 victory at Arsenal in September, 1969.

At the start of season 1972-73 following the departure of Mullery, he got his opportunity in midfield. He was part of the successful League Cup winning team that season but his appearance in the Final lasted only 20 minutes before he went off injured.

He was part of the UEFA Cup team which reached the Final in 1974 and continued to be an important member of the team until 1980.

In all he made over 300 League appearances and scored 39 goals. A fully committed Spurs player, he went to America but later returned as a coach and was Assistant manager under Peter Shreeves.

Spurs in History - 25th June

25th June, 1984

Following the departure of Keith Burkinshaw after the club won the EUFA Cup, Spurs required a new manager.

The appointment was confirmed on this day that Peter Shreeves, Burkinshaw’s Assistant would take control. Shreeves had joined Spurs in 1974 as youth team manager and then reserve team manager before being appointed assistant manager in 1980.

He had the backing of the players who made the Board aware of their support for Shreeves. He appointed John Pratt as his Assistant.

Spurs in History - 19th April

19th April, 1972
A C Milan 1 Spurs 1 UEFA Cup Semi-Final (2nd Leg)

In the early stages of the 1st Leg at White Hart Lane AC Milan had given Spurs a footballing lesson in retaining possession and generally having them chasing shadows, taking the lead after 25 minutes.

However, as the game progressed, Spurs came more into it, particularly due to the leadership of Alan Mullery and the tenacity and determination of Steve Perryman who equalised after 33 minutes and scored the winner in the second half after an Italian player had been sent off. In a recent interview Perryman described this game as the match of his life - everything that he did in that game worked perfectly.
For the return, Milan were confident that the away goal would be vital to them. However, Spurs produced a most accomplished and assured performance to progress to the Final. Captain, Alan Mullery was the inspiration, giving Spurs an early lead (7th minute) to score the important away goal. With twenty minutes remaining Milan were awarded a penalty to equalise but Spurs held out to reach their second European Final.

Mullery had missed a portion of the season through injury but on regaining fitness was unable to get back into the team. He went to Fulham on loan and it was only due to an injury to John Pratt over the Easter games that Mullery was recalled to play in the 1st leg of the semi-final. He led from the front and was an inspiration to everyone around him.

Spurs in History - 14th January

14th January, 1978

Notts County 3 Spurs 3 (2nd Division)

Spurs' season in the Second Division was going well and this game came in the middle of an unbeaten run of nineteen League games. However, eleven games were drawn and this was making the promotion that should have been a certainty a little more difficult.

Spurs were also were involved in a number of high-scoring matches and against County, John Pratt scored twice and Colin Lee got the other goal.

This gave Spurs another point which would ensure their immediate return to the First Division.

Team: Daines, Naylor, Holmes, Hoddle, McAllister, Perryman, Pratt, McNab, Duncan, Lee, Armstrong.

Read more about John Pratt at www.Topspurs.com
John Pratt


14th January, 1956

Arsenal 0 Spurs 1 (1st Division)

A goal from left winger, George Robb, was sufficient to overcome North London neighbours, Arsenal, at Highbury. This win enabled Spurs to complete the 'double' over Arsenal, having won 3-1 at White Hart Lane in mid-September. That game had been Spurs first win of the season as they struggled against relegation.

Ironically, the four points gained from their local rivals enabled Spurs to retain their 1st Division place. Spurs finished the season in 18th place with 37 points, two points ahead of Huddersfield in 21st position and 4 points above Sheffield United in 22nd place.

Spurs in History - 13th January

The Tale of Two Non-League FA Cup Ties

13th January, 1923

Spurs 0 Worksop Town 0 (FA Cup 1st Round)

What an embarrassment this First Round tie was.

Spurs were at home to a team from the Midland League. Spurs, the Cup winners in 1921, semi – finalists in the Cup and runners up in the League in 1922 and with six members of the Cup winning team still playing - failed to score and overcome determined opposition.

Wintry weather conditions made the pitch difficult to play on but the non–League team adapted to the conditions and showed greater determination and bravery to earn their place in Cup history.

After the game the Worksop officials decided to play the replat at White Hart Lane rather than on their home ground. Spurs quickly agreed to this request and the game was arranged for two days later, Monday, 15th January.

Team: Blake, Clay, Pearson, Smith, Lowe, Grimsdell, Walden, Seed, Lindsay, Handley, Dimmock.

13th January, 1973
Margate 0 Spurs 6 (FA Cup 3rd Round)


Another non-League opponent was Margate in 1973. The UEFA Cup holders having been to the vast San Siro Stadium to play AC Milan the previous spring had to adapt to the closeness of the Margate ground at Hartsdown Park.

In the Margate team that day was former Spurs' player, Eddie Clayton. He made over 100 appearances for Spurs before signing for Southend United in 1968 and joined Margate two years later.

Margate should have scored first but Spurs ran out easy winners through goals from Cyril Knowles, Martin Peters, Martin Chivers (2), John Pratt and Jimmy Pearce.

The term "Nice one Cyril" was coined that day.

The attendance that day was 14,169 although the official ground limit had been 8500. Extra tickets had been sold to meet the demand to see the game swelling the crowd to that much higher figure with chair5s being placed around the side of the pitch. Health and Safety regulations would prevent anything like that happening today.

Team: Jennings, Evans, Knowles, Pratt, England, Naylor, Gilzean, Perryman (Pearce), Chivers, Peters, Coates.

3rd March - Spurs in History

3rd March, 1973

Football League Cup Final at Wembley.
Spurs 1 Norwich

Ralph Coates

As in their previous League Cup Final two years earlier, Spurs were expected to win this game with ease but Norwich made it very difficult by playing very defensively.  In a dull game, the goal was the only memorable moment.

John Pratt started the game ahead of Ralph Coates.  He was injured early on, however, and Ralph Coates replaced him after twenty five minutes.  Coates duly took his moment and scored the goal which won the trophy to maintain Spurs' unbeaten record in Finals and at Wembley.  It also ensured that Spurs played in Europe the following season.

This was possibly Ralph's greatest moment in a Spurs' shirt.  He had signed from Burnley in May, 1971 but had taken time to settle having moved to London, although he had played in the successful UEFA Cup winning team the previous season.

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

The following week, the two teams met at White Hart Lane in a League game and Spurs won
3-0, with the goals coming from Martin Chivers (2) (1pen), Jimmy Pearce.