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 - 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 - 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.

'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.

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.