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 - 31st July

31st July, 1968

Spurs 3 Rangers 1(Pre-season)

It’s not often that a pre-season fixture remains in the memory for long after the final whistle but this game is memorable for the debut of a young centre half who scored two of the goals. Peter Collins had been signed from non-League Chelmsford City for £5,500 the previous January and made his league debut in the opening game of the season, a home defeat by Arsenal.

He didn’t appear again until mid-October where he played alongside Mike England for much of the remainder of the season. He made frequent appearances during the next two seasons but his moment in the spotlight came when England was injured midway through season 1970-71 and Collins replaced him, including a successful League Cup Final appearance against Aston Villa at Wembley.

After this success his opportunities were limited and a serious ankle injury further restricted his progress and he retired at the age of 26 in November, 1974.

'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.