Spurs in History - 2nd August

2nd August, 1997

Spurs 0 Fiorentina 2 (David Howells Testimonial)

David Howells was a loyal player to Spurs.

He made his debut as a striker, scoring in a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday in February, 1986. He took time to establish himself and it was as a defensive midfielder/defender who could score important goals that he will be remembered.

He made 277 League appearances, scoring 22 goals, 58 Cup games brought 5 goals and was a member of the 1991 Cup winning team.

This game was the first opportunity for the Spurs fans to see the new summer signings playing at White Hart Lane – David Ginola and Les Ferdinand who were signed from Newcastle United.

David Howells left Spurs in May,1998 and signed for Southampton. He also played for Bristol City before retiring in 2000 due to a persistent knee problem. He now runs a string of successful soccer schools across Europe.

Spurs in History - 12th July

12th July, 1956

Spurs' Legend - Tony Galvin

This date marks the birthday of Tony Galvin who came to Spurs from non-league Goole Town in January, 1978 for a fee of £30,000.

Galvin came to professional football late as he had completed a degree in Russian Studies and also a teacher Training course before signing for Spurs. He took time to make an impact having made his debut in a 0-3 defeat at home to Manchester City in February, 1979.

That would have been enough to end the hopes of many a player and although it was his only appearance of that season and he only made a few appearances at the end of the next season, at the beginning of January, 1981 he was given an opportunity to establish himself in the team and was an ever present in the team that went on to win the F.A.Cup against Manchester City.

He now became a very important member of that successful team under Keith Burkinshaw that won the FA Cup in successive seasons (1981 & 1982), won the UEFA Cup in 1984 and were runners-up in the League Cup/Milk Cup in 1982.

He also played for the Republic of Ireland and made 194 League appearances before his transfer to Sheffield Wednesday for £130,000 in August, 1987.

Spurs in History - 1st July

1st July, 1995

Intertoto Victory.

Spurs 2 Rudar Velenje (Slovenia) 1

Every season as Spurs failed to achieve automatic qualification for Europe, the argument raged – should they enter the Intertoto Cup.

In 1995 Spurs, Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday agreed to enter the competition to assist the Premiership when no other club would participate.

However, their reluctance was clear as they extracted certain conditions from the authorities – they would not play at their home ground, they could play weakened teams and could play loan players.

Spurs played at Brighton and put out a reserve team which lost their first game against FC Lucerne, 0- 2, at the end of June.

They won the second game away to Rudar Velenje of Slovenia by 2 – 1, their only success, although it was not considered a first-team match.

Thankfully, Spurs have avoided this dilemma over the past two seasons with automatic qualification for the UEFA Cup.

The Intertoto Cup was always regarded with disdain in England with no-one wanting to take part but across Europe top clubs who had failed to qualify for European competition saw it as another way of playing in the UEFA cup.

However, now-a-days even in England it is taken more seriously with clubs looking to the Intertoto Cup as an alternative route into Europe. Newcastle United have used it successfully on a number of occasions - the only draw backback, from the players point of view, is a very early start to preseason training - mid-June.

Spurs in History - 28th April

28th April, 1951

CHAMPIONS!

Spurs 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0 (1st Division)

Amazingly, when Spurs won the League in 1951 and 1961 Wednesday were the opponents against whom they clinched the victory.

In 1951 the title race had been very close and any slip up would have proved costly. With two games remaining, Spurs went into this game knowing that the outcome was in their own hands and duly won with a goal scored by Len Duquemin.

Following a poor start to the season, it was a remarkable turn round to become Champions for the first time in the club’s history, only a year after winning promotion from the 2nd Division. The ‘push and run’ team managed by Arthur Rowe had put Spurs in the spotlight.

Team: Ditchburn; Ramsey, Willis; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (Captain); Walters, Murphy, Duquemiin, Baily, Medley.

Spurs in History - 17th April

17th April, 1961

CHAMPIONS!

Danny Blanchflower receiving 1st Division trophy

Spurs 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 (1st Division)

A Monday evening game at White Hart Lane against their closest rivals for the title, was the setting for this game. Wednesday had been the first team to beat them earlier in the season but Spurs had marched on and were now nearing the final glory.

In an exciting and tense match, considering all that was at stake, Wednesday went ahead after thirty minutes. With three minutes of the half remaining Spurs equalised through Bobby Smith. One minute later they were ahead when Les Allen scored.

The second half was a tough affair but when the final whistle blew, Spurs were Champions for the second time in their history.

Pandemonium broke out around White Hart Lane as the fans rushed onto the pitch. They chanted, “We want Danny!” and refused to leave until until the Captain led the players out to acknowledge their cheers.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower, Norman, Mackay; Jones, White, Smith, Allen, Dyson.

Receiving medals after the game v West Brom

Spurs in History - 22nd January

New Signing Danny Blanchflower inspired Spurs to victory over Sheffield Wednesday

22nd January, 1955

Spurs 7 Sheffield Wednesday 2 (1st Division)

In a transitional season for Spurs, two new signings played their part in this victory over Wednesday. Winger, Johhny Gavin had signed from Norwich city in October and these goals gave him six in fifteen appearances. Danny Blanchflower had joined from Aston Villa in December for £30,000 as a replacement for Bill Nicholson.

Spurs were a goal up after one minute when Johnny Gavin scored. Wednesday equalized but then Spurs went further ahead through goals from George Robb, Eddie Baily and Gavin.

In the second half further goals from Johnny Brooks, Len Duquemin and another from Brooks sealed Spurs victory although Wednesday scored a second.

Spurs, inspired by Danny Blanchflower, made light of the muddy conditions to put on a slick goalscoring performance against a struggling Wednesday side.

Team: Reynolds, Ramsey, Hopkins, Blanchflower, Clarke, Marchi, Gavin, Baily, Duquemin, Brooks, Robb

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.