Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 5 (1972)

Tottenham have enjoyed success in Europe and Bill Nicholson is quoted, "It's magnificent to be in Europe, and this club - a club like Tottenham Hotspur - if we're not in Europe, we're nothing." The UEFA Cup campaign of 1971-72 was a long and tiring road but ultimately successful.

Tottenham won the League Cup in 1971 by defeating Aston Villa at Wembley.  They qualified to play in the first UEFA Cup competition which replaced the old Inter Cities Fairs Cup.  This was Spurs' first appearance in a European competition for five years since a rather brief and disappointing foray in the European Cup Winners' Cup.

The UEFA Cup, like all European competitions of the time was knock-out tournament over two legs with the Final also played on a home and away basis.  Tottenham played twelve games, visiting four different countries en-route to the joy of winning the Cup.

1971-72 UEFA Cup Final
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2 (1st Leg)
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (2nd Leg) 
                                                          [Tottenham Won 3 - 2 on aggregate]

Chivers the Inspiration for Tottenham

Martin Chivers

Martin Chivers showed all his power and goal scoring ability to give Tottenham the advantage in the first game at Molineux.  Captain, Alan Mullery, in what was to be his final match in a Spurs' shirt, scored the goal which ensured that Spurs became the first winners of the UEFA Cup and the first English team to win two European trophies.


Road to the Final:
1st Round (1st Leg) v Keflavik (Iceland) (a) Won 6 - 1 Mullery (2), Coates, Gilzean (3)
The anticipated routine win for Spurs with the main interest surrounding Ralph Coates who scored his first goal for Spurs since signing from Burnley during the summer.  The match was also significant as the only occasion when a young Graeme Souness played for Tottenham.  An exciting prospect in the mould of the great Dave Mackay, he came on as a substitute for Mullery.  Impatient for a place in the senior team Bill Nicholson reluctantly sold him to Middlesbrough in January, 1973.

1st Round (2nd Leg) v Keflavik (h) Won 9 - 0   
                                 Knowles, Coates, Perryman, Chivers (3), Holder, Gilzean (2)  (Agg. Won 15 - 1)
A full strength team played in the second game at White Hart Lane and gave Spurs an their highest ever aggregate success in European football.

2nd Round (1st Leg) v FC Nantes (France) (a) Draw 0 - 0
A much more difficult match saw Spurs relieved to return home with the tie in the balance but with home advantage in the next match making them slight favourites.


2nd Round (2nd Leg) v FC Nantes (h) Won 1 - 0 Peters  (Agg. Won 1 - 0)
In a close encounter Martin Peters scored the all important goal in what was a very tense, nervy evening for everyone at White Hart Lane.

3rd Round (1st Leg) v Rapid Bucharest (Romania) (h) Won 3 - 0 Chivers (2), Peters
An early goal set Spurs up to take a three goal advantage to Romania thanks to the two Martins whose understanding and link up play along with Alan Gilzean was a feature of the season. 

3rd Round (2nd Leg) v Rapid Bucharest (a) Won 2 - 0 Chivers, Pearce  (Agg. Won 5 - 0)
On paper, this result looks quite straightforward but Spurs had to deal with some of the most robust tackling and tactics that they had ever met in European football.  For the players, it was the survival of the fittest, many finishing the game with knocks and bruises, leaving Bill Nicholson so infuriated that he branded Rapid as the dirtiest team he had ever experienced.  Chivers and substitute, Jimmy Pearce scored.  Pearce replaced the injured Gilzean but was only on the pitch for  twelve minutes, just long enough to come on, score the first goal and get sent off.

4th Round (1st leg) v UT Arad (Romania) (a) Won 2 - 0 England, Morgan
After the previous round, the last thing Spurs wanted was a return trip to Romania but this time they recorded an uneventful but comfortable win with goals from Mike England and Roger Morgan who was trying to come back after being out through injury for eighteen months. 


4th Round (2nd Leg) v UT Arad (h) Draw 1 - 1 Gilzean  (Agg. Won 3 - 1)
The draw provided Spurs with a comfortable passage into the semi-finals - Gilzean getting the goal.

Semi-Final (1st Leg) v AC Milan (Italy) (h) Won 2 - 0 Perryman (2)
Alan Mullery and Steve Perryman were the names which made the headlines from this game.  Mullery had been out with injury earlier in the season and when fit had been unable to displace John Pratt.  Wanting to be playing he asked to go out on loan and joined Fulham.  However, an injury to Pratt just before the semi-final saw Nicholson unexpectedly recall his captain and instal him in the team.  

Steve Perryman produced a man of the match performance to give Spurs a slender advantage going into the second leg.  Spurs found themselves a goal down early on and being outplayed by the experienced Italian team.  Perryman showed industry and endeavour to drag Spurs back into the game, scoring from the edge of the box just before half-time and then repeated the exercise late in the second half.

Semi-Final (2nd Leg) v AC Milan (a) Draw 1 - 1 Mullery  (Agg. Won 3 - 2)
Spurs withstood Milan's expected early onslaught and on seven minutes mounted an attack from which Mullery scored.  Mullery was the inspiration as they then defended as if for their lives and although Milan scored with a penalty twenty minutes from time, they held out to reach the Final.

Final (1st Leg) v Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) Won 2 - 1 Chivers (2)
Tottenham's season started with a League game against Wolves and there was some disappointment that it was going to end there against an English team rather than in a glamorous European setting.  It was Martin Chivers and Pat Jennings who inspired Tottenham to grab the first leg initiative.  Jennings produced a series of outstanding saves to foil Wolves while Chivers scored two goals of amazing quality.  The first was a powerful header and although Wolves levelled, he then scored a late winner with a ferocious shot following a powerful run from halfway.

Final (2nd Leg) v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) Draw 1 - 1 Mullery  (Agg. Won 3 - 2)
Alan Mullery played a captain's part in this game and led by example, putting Spurs ahead after half an hour, injuring himself as he dived to meet Peters' free-kick.  Wolves battled back to equalise before half-time but Spurs held on, exhausted after playing 68 matches during the season.  It was a night of triumph for Mullery - to score and lift the trophy in his last game for Tottenham.  During the summer he was transferred to Fulham.  Bill Nicholson was so disappointed with Tottenham's performance that he first went to commiserate with the Wolves players.
     

1972 UEFA Cup Winners - Tottenham Hotspur

At the end of a long, exhausting season Spurs had won a trophy - they missed out in returning to Wembley in the League Cup when Chelsea scored a very late equaliser, they lost in the 6th Round of the FA Cup to eventual winners Leeds United and finished 6th in the League.  A second European triumph was added to those 'Glory, Glory Nights' at White Hart Lane.

In Search of Alan Gilzean (a book by James Morgan)

Alan Gilzean signed for Spurs in mid-December, 1964 and made his debut in a home game against Everton. He scored his first goal for the club a week later on Boxing Day as Spurs achieved their first and only away win of the season at Nottingham Forest. Two days later he scored his first League goal at White Hart Lane when Spurs defeated Forest 4-0 in the return match. This was the game which saw me become a Spurs supporter and so following the team closely through the rest of the 1960s and early 70s, I am familiar with Gilzean’s successful career at White Hart Lane.

However, what of Gilzean before and after his Tottenham days? I knew that Gillie had signed from Dundee for a fee of £72,500 and that he had already played for Scotland before coming to Tottenham and that after retiring in 1974 he had played in South Africa before returning to manage a transport business and that his son, Ian, had been a young player at Tottenham. Beyond those few basic points very little was known of Alan Gilzean who while at the club was ‘The King of White Hart Lane’.

In the summer of 2005, into this vacuum came some internet rumours of Gilzean being down and out and living somewhere in the west of England but no-one knew for certain whether this was true or not but with the immediacy of the internet, rumours very quickly become fact. There was much disappointment and sadness among Spurs’ fans that one of their ‘legends’ who had brought such enjoyment and success to the club, could be living in hardship.

It was at this point that James Morgan, a sports journalist with the The Herald newspaper in Glasgow, set about trying to establish the truth of the matter. Morgan is a Spurs’ supporter and Alan Gilzean was his late father’s favourite player and he had frequently heard of Gilzean’s talent and contribution to Spurs’ success. His early research into Alan Gilzean yielded little, even Hunter Davies ‘The Glory Game’ shed little light on the subject, leading the author to feel that Gillie had become the forgotten man of both Scotland and Tottenham.

Morgan’s research has been extensive and he used his numerous contacts as a journalist to speak to former friends, colleagues and acquaintances of Gilzean in his endeavours to discover the truth. Everyone whom he spoke to regarded Gillie highly – in awe at his talent as a player and of his generosity as a person. His former colleagues recounted many stories of his playing days both north and south of the border and they regretted having lost touch with him and asked the author to pass on their best wishes to Alan if he managed to track him down.

Today, many sporting biographies detail the sensational lifestyle of a celebrity sportsman to shock the public and grab a striking headline for the newspaper serialisation. James Morgan has written this book about Alan Gilzean as a fitting tribute to the private man who displayed an exceptional talent as a player for Dundee, Tottenham Hotspur and Scotland.

‘In Search of Alan Gilzean’ covers his life from his youngest days in Coupar Angus in Scotland where he grew up and played football for the local team. It discovers the difficulties of combining National Service in the army with a developing football career. It details his successful career with Dundee when Gilzean was a vital member of the team that won the Scottish Championship in 1961- 62 and then was their star player as Dundee took European football by storm to reach the semi-final of the European Cup, only to lose in controversial circumstances, something all Spurs’ fans can relate to with their club’s experience against Benfica a year earlier.

Gilzean progressed to the Scotland team but suffered first with the selectors’ preference for players from the two Glasgow clubs while he was with Dundee and then their opposition to Anglo-Scots during his years at Tottenham. In total he made 22 appearances for his country and scored 12 goals but with a professional career spanning fifteen years in top flight football in Scotland and England, he surely deserved many more.

Gilzean arrived at Spurs following a protracted transfer saga as Bill Nicholson considered his suitability as the player to replace Bobby Smith. It was perhaps the two goals that Gillie scored for a Scotland XI at White Hart Lane in John White’s Memorial game that finally persuaded the manager to go ahead with the transfer. Gilzean immediately hit it off with his strike partner, Jimmy Greaves, who described him as ‘the greatest player I played with’.

Alan Gilzean was an adaptable player with an outstanding ability to head the ball both to score and to create chances for his team. He was a goal-scoring inside forward with Dundee but he played as centre forward for Spurs to support Greaves and when Martin Chivers arrived in 1967 he again adapted his style to play alongside the strong running centre forward. The arrival of Ralph Coates at Tottenham in 1971 suggested Gillie might be on his way out but he continued to be a part of the Tottenham team which won the UEFA Cup and a second League Cup to add to his earlier FA Cup success.

Gilzean seemed to improve with age and he grew in popularity among the fans as his partnership with Chivers and Martin Peters developed to such an extent that he was an important part of Spurs' creativity as his delicate headers created many goals for himself and his two colleagues.

His eventual departure from White Hart Lane in 1974 meant that Gilzean slipped off the football radar. Not for him, the corporate, hospitality work that many retired players have now become involved with. He moved out of football circles to retain his privacy and so became largely forgotten by all but a few ardent fans. Morgan discovered that many in Coupar Angus, his home town, had never heard of Alan Gilzean and the local council had done nothing to mark his contribution to Scottish football. The ‘forgotten man’ of Scottish football has only recently been inducted into both the Dundee and the Scottish Football Association’s Halls of Fame due to pressure from James Morgan who put Gilzean’s name forward as a worthy recipient for the award.

Many books have been written about Spurs since the 1950s and this book is a worthy addition to that collection and a fitting tribute to a Spurs great. Many players who have contributed much less to the Spurs' cause have had books written about them so it's good to have Gilzean's contribution marked in this way.

The author did a great job weaving the past detail of Gilzean's career with his search for the great man and his struggle to keep his emotions as a Spurs’ supporter in control was clearly evident as he met some of his past heroes for the first time so that his journalistic endeavours would be rewarded.

Many rumours and stories existed about Gilzean’s career and his life after football and Morgan has endeavoured to find answers for them and as one reads the book there is the constant temptation to turn to the final chapters to discover if the search was successful.

Why did Alan Gilzean so dislike Bob Wilson, the Arsenal goalkeeper? The comparisons with Dimitar Berbatov are considered. Did Morgan meet up with Gillie? Those are some of the issues and questions you will have to read the book to find out about.

While Alan Gilzean has spent the last thirty six years avoiding the spotlight in order to maintain his privacy, perhaps this excellent book by James Morgan will demonstrate to him how highly he is regarded by those colleagues whom he played with and by those supporters who sang his name every week from the terraces and that if he were to return to White Hart Lane he would receive a rapturous reception.

A place awaits Alan Gilzean in the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame – a true legend of White Hart Lane.

Spurs in Switzerland

Tottenham Hotspur face Swiss opponents, Young Boys Berne, as they strive to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history.  Spurs supporters will of course point out that their club did appear in the European Cup, the fore-runner to today's Champions League, in season 1961-62 when they were unfortunate to lose in the semi-final to Benfica.

This is only the second occasion in all their European ties that Spurs have been drawn against a team from Switzerland.  The previous meeting with a Swiss club was in 1973-74 in the 1st Round of the UEFA Cup when Spurs played Grasshopper Zurich.  The aggregate win was 9-2 in Spurs' favour which suggests a very comfortable passage for the north London team but this could not be further from the truth as Spurs endured a very difficult evening in Zurich for the first leg.  It was the goalkeeping talent of Pat Jennin which kept Spurs in the game as he produced save after save.  Spurs took an early lead from a Martin Chivers' header but then Grasshopper created chance after chance only to be thwarted by Jennings.  On the half-hour Ray Evans added a second for Spurs, very much against the run of play.  Just before the interval the home side finally beat Jennings from the penalty spot to reduce the arrears. 

In the second half Jennings continued to deny the Swiss with a succession of outstanding saves and then Chivers scored his second while Alan Gilzean added two more to add insult to injury and produce a quite extraordinary score line.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Knowles, Coates (Holder), England, Beal; Pratt, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Neighbour (Gilzean).

The second game was much more comfortable - Mike England, Martin Peters (2) and an own goal ensured a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane.

Team: Daines; Evans, Knowles; Pratt, England, Beal; Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Coates

Previous visits to Switzerland have included a tour in 1966-67 following Spurs FA Cup success.  The second game of the tour saw then play Young Boys Berne.  Spurs won the three games they played:

FC Zurich - Won 2-0 Robertson (2)

BSC Young Boys - Won 3-2 Greaves (2), Bond

FC Servette - Won 4-1 Greaves (2), Venables, Saul

In season 1957-58 Spurs went to Basel to play a match against the Swiss National XI.  They won the game by 5-4 with Bobby Smith scoring four goals and Dave Dunmore getting the fifth.

In May, 1914 Spurs undertook an end of season tour of Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  Two games were played in Switzerland - a 6-0 win over Zurich and a 3-0 success against St Gallen.

The next tour that the club undertook was eleven years later when they played seven games in Switzerland in May, 1925.  Again they were successful in each match:

v Basel Old Boys Won 3-0

v Zurich Young Fellows Won 2-0

v Wintherthur Won 4-0

v Lausanne Won 6-1

v La Cheux de Fonds Won 8-1

v Berne Won 5-0

v Basel Won 1-0

In March, 1955 Spurs played FC Servette in a friendly at White Hart Lane.  They had a 5-1 victory with goals from Gavin (2), Brooks, Duquemin, McClellan.   

Players from Switzerland:

Spurs have had two players from Switzerland on their books in recent years - Ramon Vega and Reto Ziegler. 

Ramon Vega

Vega made 64 appearances for Spurs and was a member of the Worthington Cup winning team in 1999 which defeated Leicester City 1-0. He scored 7 goals in his four years at White Hart Lane. He went to Celtic on loan and then signed for Watford after being released by Tottenham.

Ziegler was a young player who made 23 League appearances, scoring once, under Martin Jol and is now playing for Sampdoria.  Both players represented their country in full internationals.

Spurs' Goal Scoring Debutantes in Premier League

Sixteen players have scored for Tottenham Hotspur on their debut in the Premier League. New signing Tanguy Ndombele joins an interesting group of players - some who are fondly remembered at the club, while others have been long forgotten. 

(Up-dated: Aug. 2019) 

Sol Campbell: (Dec. 1992)* In the first season of the Premiership Campbell made his debut as a late substitute against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. His goal was a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat. Campbell went on to captain Spurs to a Worthington Cup success at Wembley against Leicester City in 1999 but he will never be forgiven by Spurs fans for the way he left the club in 2001 on a Bosman free to sign for their near neighbours and greatest rivals, Arsenal.

Ronnie Rosenthal: (Feb. 1994) Battling against relegation Ossie Ardiles signed Rosenthal to bring some experience to the team which was struggling to score goals due to a long-term injury to Teddy Sheringham. In his debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday Rosenthal scored but it didn't prevent Spurs losing 1-3. The highlight of Rosenthal's career with Spurs was the hat-trick he scored against Southampton in the FA Cup in 1995. Spurs were two down at half-time but Rosenthal came on as a substitute and scored twice to take the game to extra time. He completed his hat-trick (three tremendous goals) to give Spurs an improbable 6-2 victory.

Jurgen Klinsmann: (Aug. 1994) (pictured) Spurs were in deep trouble having been severely punished by the Football Association for financial irregularities. Chairman, Alan Sugar had managed to persuade Klinsmann to join Spurs and his presence gave Spurs an immediate boost and an opening day success against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Klinsmann scored in a 4-3 victory, introduced his 'dive' celebration and was carried off injured on his debut. Klinsmann formed an exciting goal scoring partnership with Teddy Sheringham but unfortunately it didn't produce any silverware for the club and he departed at the end of the season. His later return was not as effective although he scored four vital goals against Wimbledon to save Spurs from relegation under Christian Gross.

Dean Richards: (Sept. 2004) Signed from Southampton by Glenn Hoddle, defender Richards scored against Manchester United as Spurs took a three goal lead in the first half. However, that was as good as it got as after half-time United stormed back at White Hart Lane to win 5-3. Richards career at Spurs was blighted by injury.

Fredi Kanoute: (Aug. 2003)* Signed from West Ham United during the summer he made his debut at home to Leeds United. His substitute appearance in the first home game of the season ensured Spurs' 2-1 victory. A player of great technique, Kanoute's languid style divided supporters but he scored many important goals before his departure to Seville in 2005. After his departure some supporters came to realise what he brought to the team.

Mbulelo Mabizela: (Oct. 2003)* Signed by Spurs following their summer tour to South Africa, Mabizela made his debut as a late substitute at Leicester City. He scored the winning goal in the 2-1 success but failed to build on that promising start to his Spurs career.

Jermain Defoe: (Feb. 2004) Signed from West Ham United, Defoe was an instant hit scoring early on his debut against Portsmouth at White Hart Lane as Spurs won 4-3. A regular goal scorer he left for Portsmouth in January, 2008 but returned a year later and was part of the team which took Tottenham into the Champions League under Harry Redknapp. By the time of his departure in February, 2014, he had made 363 appearances, scoring 143 goals in all competitions. At that time he was Tottenham's 5th highest goalscorer and their highest scorer in European competitions. Harry Kane has since overtaken him in both of those rankings.

Mido: (Feb. 2005) A loan signing Mido made an impressive debut against Portsmouth, scoring twice. He became an important member of Martin Jol's team which just missed out on a Champions League place. When his application and effort were right, Mido was good and scored vital goals but he struggled to maintain his fitness and this endeavour.

Gilberto: (Mar. 2008)* A disappointing signing, the Brazilian rarely showed his true ability but scored in a 4-0 victory, having come on as a substitute against West Ham United at White Hart Lane. He had played his first game for Spurs in a UEFA Cup tie against PSV Eindhoven in mid-week but it was his error which had given the visitors the only goal of the game.

Sebastien Bassong: (Aug. 2009) His headed goal against Liverpool on the opening day of the 2009 - 10 season made him the tenth Spurs' player to score on their Premier League debut.

Danny Rose: (Apr. 2010) He made his league debut against Arsenal, scoring the first goal of the match after ten minutes as Tottenham won 2–1 in the Premier League on 14 April 2010. The goal was subsequently described as "a volley so thunderous that you could hear the whack off his boot above the din of the raucous crowd" in The Times. Rose won Goal of the Season, with votes run by Sky Sports and by the Tottenham website.

Emmanuel Adebayor: (Sept. 2011) Having joined Spurs on loan from Manchester City, in the 67th minute of his debut for Tottenham against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in September, 2011, Adebayor collected a through ball from Scott Parker and coolly scored his first goal for his new club. This set Spurs up for their first Premier League win of the season and made him the twelfth Tottenham player to score on their Premier League debut.

Moussa Dembele: (Aug. 2012) A match in which Spurs were struggling came to life in the second half when substitute Moussa Dembele scored from the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately, it wasn't a winning debut as battling Norwich City levelled the scores with a few minutes remaining.

Roberto Soldado: (Aug. 2013) A second half penalty as Spurs visited London rivals, Crystal Palace, secured the points for Tottenham. The penalty came four minutes after the restart when a cross by Lennon was handled. Soldado stepped up confidently to score on his debut and set Spurs on their way with the only goal of the game.

Eric Dier: (Aug. 2014) Having joined Tottenham less than two weeks earlier, the 20-year-old Dier made an immediate impact at the club – impressing in central defence and also with his coolness when scoring the late goal. Played in by Harry Kane in the 92nd minute, Dier took the ball wide of the advancing West Ham goalkeeper and placed the ball into the open goal. With the goal coming so late in the game it was guaranteed to grab the headlines as it provided Mauricio Pochettino with a winning start to the season for Spurs.

Tanguy Ndombele: (Aug. 2019) Tottenham's record signing, costing £55m, made his debut against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A goal behind from the 9th minute and looking set to lose their first game, it was in the 73rd minute that Ndombele received the ball from Lucas Moura and fired in a shot from outside the box, to equalise and calm the worried Spurs' supporters. This lifted the team and the fans as Tottenham went on to win 3-1 with two goals in four minutes from Harry Kane as the game drew to a close.

* Players who made their debut as a substitute

Pre-Premier League Goal Scoring Debuts

Many players have scored on their debut prior to the creation of the Premier League. That list of players include many legends:

• Jimmy Greaves (a hat-trick against Blackpool (h))


• Martin Chivers (2 at Sheffield Wednesday)


• Colin Lee (4 in a 9-0 demolition of Bristol Rovers at White Hart Lane in Spurs last season in the old Second Division)


• Ricky Villa at Nottingham Forest


• Garth Crooks against Nottingham Forest

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 - 13th August

13th August, 1969 Spurs 4 Burnley 0 The 1969-70 season started early, on 8th August, to give the England manager, Alf Ramsey, sufficient time to prepare his team for their defence of the World Cup in Mexico, the following summer. Tottenham were in a period of transition as Bill Nicholson attempted to recreate a winning team, similar to the Spurs side of the early 60s. Spurs opened their season with a 3-1 defeat at Champions, Leeeds United with Jimmy Greaves scoring the goal. In the following Wednesday evening's League game at White Hart Lane against Burnley, an improved performance gave encouragement in a 4-0 success. The goals were scored by Peter Collins, Jimmy Pearce, Jimmy Greaves and Martin Chivers. The following Saturday they lost at home to Liverpool but the next Tuesday, in the return fixture at Turf Moor, defeated Burnley 2 – 0 with Collins and Pearce scoring again. At that time Burnley were a hard working mid-table team with a talent for producing young players whom they later sold. Spurs were to sign Ralph Coates in May, 1971 when Burnley’s time in the top division drew to a close with relegation to the 2nd Division. The 1969-70 season was not to prove successful for Tottenham but was noteable for the debut of 17year-old Steve Perryman in September. He was an instant success, immediately establishing himself in the team and going on to captain the side and become the club's record appearance holder. (866 competitive appearances between 1969 and 1986). In March 1969, after 8 years at White Hart Lane, Tottenham's record goalscorer, Jimmy Greaves, departed the club with 266 goals to his credit - the club's greatest ever goalscorer.

Spurs in History - 9th August

9th August, 1969

Leeds United 3 Spurs 1 (League Division 1)

This game marked the earliest start for the Football League season. The season didn’t start auspiciously for Spurs with this defeat at Elland Road. The World Cup was to be played in Mexico the following summer so football made its early start.

Martin Chivers returned to the team following the injury that had caused him to miss three quarters of the previous season but the Spurs goal was scored by Jimmy Greaves.

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.

Spurs in History - 9th June

9th June, 1971

Spurs 3 Japan XI 0 (Friendly)

This was the final game of a three match tour to Japan. A full strength squad won all three games against an All Japan XI.

The first two games had been won convincingly by 6-0 and 7-2. In each of the first two games Martin Chivers had scored twice and in this game he continued to prove a handful for the Japanese defence by scoring again. Spurs other goals came from Alan Mullery who scored two, one from a penalty.

Spurs in History - 3rd May

3rd May, 1972

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Spurs 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

An all English Final, disappointed players and supporters alike who had been hoping for further success on foreign fields.

Both teams played cautiously and it was as the hour approached that Martin Chivers broke the deadlock with a majestic headed goal from a long free kick taken by Mike England. Wolves equalised from a quick free-kick, twelve minutes later.

Spurs were now under pressure until Chivers awoke from his ‘famed’ lethargy and collected the ball out wide and headed for goal to crash home a shot from thirty yards - a goal worthy of any final.

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

Spurs in History - 13th April

13th April, 1970


Spurs 2 Manchester United 1


The penultimate game of the season, although the final game wasn’t until early May. Following the difficult period in mid-season Spurs had reshaped the team, the senior players had re-established themselves, Peters was settling into the team and Perryman was gaining experience and influence in the team. Also and importantly, Gilzean and Chivers were developing a goal scoring partnership that was to blossom in the next few seasons. It was this combination that was to ensure victory over United but despite the stronger finish to the season, Spurs could only finish in 11th position.

Spurs in History - 6th April

6th April, 1968

Spurs 6 Southampton 1 (1st Division)

Spurs had four consecutive home games from mid-March to Easter and won all of them. They scored 16 goals, conceding only two. This was the third of the victories, having previously overcome Stoke City (3-0) and Burnley (5-0) which included Jimmy Greaves 300th League goal.

The goals against Southampton were scored by Alan Mullery, Jimmy Greaves (2) (1 pen), Martin Chivers, Cliff Jones and an own goal. The final game in the sequence was a 2-1 victory over Leeds United on Good Friday. They then lost the next two away games, including the return against Leeds in mid-week before returning to winning ways at White Hart Lane.

Spurs in History - 20th March

20th March, 1974

Spurs 3 FC Cologne 0 UEFA Cup 4th round 2nd Leg

As winners of the League Cup the previous season, Spurs European adventure in the UEFA Cup continued with a comfortable win, ensuring that there were no slip ups after their 2-1 win in Germany in the 1st Leg. Spurs increased their aggregate lead with goals from Martin Chivers, Martin Peters and Ralph Coates.

The semi-final tie saw them drawn to play East German opponents, 1.FC Lokomotiv Leipzig.

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.

A Hero Needed

‘Come On You Spurs’ – Give Us A Hero!

The lyrics of Paper Lace’s 1974 anti-war song, ‘Billy Don’t Be a Hero’ remind us of the great loss of life brought about by war and the grief brought upon family and friends. A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to leave the area with an Army contingent passing through the town, and go with them to fight. She laments,

"Billy, don't be a hero! Don't be a fool with your life!
"Billy, don't be a hero! Come back and make me your wife!"
And as Billy started to go, she said, "Keep your pretty head low!"
"Billy, don't be a hero! Come back to me!"

The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering to ride out and seek reinforcements. In the end, the woman throws away the regret letter notifying her of Billy's "heroic" death.

Football is only a game and the heroics achieved over ninety minutes on the pitch are as nothing compared to the bravery of soldiers prepared to give their lives in the line of duty – but on Wednesday evening as Spurs make their second visit to the Emirates Stadium – the one thing their game is crying out for is a hero to keep his head high and while all around are feeling the pressure, he will come through and show his true worth to the team. It’s a long, long time since Spurs have had a player who has risen to the occasion and produced an outstanding display against all the odds and when it has really mattered.

The top teams have players who are all capable of producing top-class performances when it really matters. The current Liverpool team doesn’t stand comparison with the teams of previous generations but they have won the FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Cup and the biggest prize of all, the Champions League. Why? They have Steven Gerrard who has time and time again risen to the occasion, produced an outstanding performance when everything has been going against Liverpool and pulled them through – the Champions League Final, three down at half-time, in last season’s FA Cup Liverpool could have gone out in the opening round at Palace but for Gerrard and then in the Final itself, two outstanding goals with the spectacular goal at the death to snatch victory from West Ham and take the game into extra-time and eventual success. In fact, such was his influence on Liverpool winning the Final that the DVD for the Final is called ‘The Gerrard Final!’

The major difference between Spurs and Liverpool at the moment is one player who can produce amazing performances which lift the players around him and produce results above what they deserve. If only Spurs could find such a player but with their pay structure at the club they’ll never get a player of Gerrard’s caliber. However, at the moment there is a great need for one of the current players to step forward and take that mantle and make themselves a hero and what better place to do it than the Emirates Stadium – they would become an instant ‘Legend’, remembered for years to come.

In summing up last week’s 1st Leg match a radio commentator stated that at two nil Spurs had a great chance but by the end it had gone. There was an opportunity to really put one over Arsenal and make the 2nd Leg academic but it wasn’t taken. The departure of Berbatov with injury changed the game but there were enough experienced players on the Spurs’ team who should have been able to take control and dominate the game for Spurs but they didn’t and it cost them dearly – they bottled it.

Now at 2-2 for the second game on Wednesday, Spurs have it all to do. With the away goals against them Spurs can’t let the game drift and hold on to what they’ve got because in terms of reaching the Final at the moment they don’t have anything. Spurs will need to be positive against probably the Arsenal young team who will greater experience among the re-enforcements, waiting to be called upon if necessary. This is where Spurs need every player totally committed to the cause but sometimes even that isn’t enough. There have been numerous occasions in recent seasons when Spurs have given it everything, put up a fighting, gutsy performance but lost to a late goal or some other hard-luck story. To take that step to the Carling Cup Final it will need a player to really shine – be dominant, take the goal scoring chances that are presented – we’ve had enough of being the nearly team, the unlucky losers, it’s time for Spurs to strike out for glory.

Spurs have had players in the past who achieved such heights – Gascoigne and his contribution in the 1991 FA Cup being almost single-handedly responsible for getting Spurs to the Final and nobody will forget that semi-final goal! A decade earlier, Ricky Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Highbury and then in the Final replay he was able to shake off the disappointment of the first game and scored the goals to bring the FA Cup to Tottenham. Graham Roberts in the UEFA Cup Final when all looked lost led from the front, scored the equaliser and stepped up to dispatch the first penalty in the nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out. If supporter message-boards had been around in Martin Chivers’ day he would have been criticised endlessly but in big games, he produced the goals – two in the League Cup final of 1971 and another ‘double’ against Wolves in the UEFA Cup semi-final. Jimmy Greaves, Dave Mackay, Teddy Sheringham and Jurgen Klinsmann, 1994 FA Cup semi-final excluded, were all able to show their worth – we need a player of that ilk in the team today.

Who will raise their game and take that chance to be the ‘star’ and become a hero?
If Spurs win, all eleven players will be heroes but there is a need for someone to up their performance when it really matters and inspire those around them to greater heights. It’s all very well to score the goals against Southend or Villa, or to perform lesser teams - it keeps all of us happy, but when the trophies are being handed out the question that has to be asked is, ‘Where were your goals against the best?’

The top players have that star quality and will do it in the vitally important games. Spurs’ need for a new hero on Wednesday is critical. Step forward and take that opportunity now. Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque, Defdoe, Keane or whoever is selected, your chance to be immortalised in the history of Tottenham Hotspur awaits you.

Spurs in History - 27th January

27th January, 1968

Manchester United 2 Spurs 2 (Fa Cup 3rd Round)

Spurs two goal Hero - Martin Chivers

A difficult 3rd Round tie at Old Trafford saw Spurs earn a replay in a thrilling action-packed game with a last minute equalizer from Martin Chivers.

Mike England returned to the team, having been out for two months with injury but Jimmy Greaves was left out and Phil Beal played as an extra defender.

Martin Chivers, making only his third appearance for Spurs since signing from Southampton earlier in the month, scored after four minutes but United equalized within two minutes. Half way through the second half, United took a lead which they looked like holding until Chivers' last minute strike.

Team: Jennings, Kinnear, Knowles, Mullery, England, Mackay, Robertson, Gilzean, Chivers, Venables (Jones), Beal.

Spurs in History - 17th January

17th January, 1968

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Spurs 2 (1st Division)

Martin Chivers became the most expensive player ever, when signed from Southampton for £125,000.

He made his debut in this game at a ground where Spurs had not won since 1937, and justified his price when four minutes from time he powered through the Wednesday defence to flight a looping shot into the net. Spurs had gone a goal down in the 42nd minute but a well worked goal from Greaves right on half-time brought the scores level.

Team: Jennings, Kinnear, Knowles, Mullery, Beal, Mackay, Robertson, Bond, Chivers, Gilzean, Greaves.

17th January, 1989

Spurs 1 West Ham United 0 (Premier League)

Jurgen Klinsmann scored his first goal for Spurs since re-joining the club in December. He had returned to Tottenham in an attempt to regain full fitness prior to the European Championships to be held in the summer in England and to assist Spurs' struggle against relegation.

It was a very difficult season at White Hart Lane as manager Christian Gross endeavoured to exert his authority at the club while he was highly ridiculed by the media and many fans who were sceptical of this unknown manager.

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.

'C' Team for Tottenham-Spur

Martin Chivers celebrates with Bill Nicholson

The letter 'C' creates a problem.  Do I include a former captain who will be nameless and defected to our North London neighbours?
Answer: NO!

GK: Ray Clemence - part of the success of the early 1980s

RB: Tommy Clay - 1920s FA Cup winner

LB: Ernest Coquet - member of team in Spurs first season in Football League

CB: Harry Clarke - member of 'Push and Run' side of 1950s

CB: Peter Collins - played in 1971 League Cup winning team

M: Ralph Coates - scored winning goal in 1973 League Cup win

M: Michael Carrick - member of present team

M: John Chiedozie - member of mid-1980s team

F: Nico Claesen - Belgian International in 1980s

F: Martin Chivers - played a major part in success of 1970s

F: Garth Crooks - vital partnership with Archibald in success of 1970s

Sub: Alfie Conn - Bill Nicholson's last signing.