Spurs in History - 17th July

17th July, 1999

Lysekils FF 1 Spurs 7 (Pre-season).

Steffan Iversen was an exciting young player with European experience when he was signed by Gerry Francis. While making a promising start to his Spurs career, he struggled to fulfil that promise and often struggled with injury.

However, in preseason 1999 – 2000 he appeared to be on the way back to his best form. He was on fire where goal scoring was concerned. In the pre-season games he scored eleven goals including a hat-trick in this game and another in the following 3 – 0 win over GAIS.

In the season to follow he managed 14 in 36 League games and three in eight Cup appearances, his highest return for Spurs.

Injury and loss of form led to his subsequent departure.

Spurs in History - 17th March

17th March, 1956
Manchester City 1 Spurs 0 F.A.Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park.


Spurs were finding it difficult to progress beyond the semi-final, for the third time since the war, Spurs lost a semi-final tie at Villa Park. Tommy Harmer had played an important part in ensuring Spurs' progress to the semi-final but the manager, Jimmy Anderson, decided to drop him from this game feeling his light build would struggle against the stronger City defenders. However, Spurs struggled without Harmer and went behind but with time running out, Captain Danny Blanchflower (pic.) moved centre half Maurice Norman forward as he had successfully done in the previous round.

Although Spurs should have had a penalty, they couldn’t equalize and afterwards the manager was furious at Blanchflower’s changes. As a consequence, Blanchflower, a man of principle, resigned as captain and didn’t hold that position for the next two seasons.

17th March, 2001

Spurs 3 Coventry City 0 Premiership

Spurs' last game on St Patrick's Day was a comfortable 3-0 win against Coventry City who were relegated at the end of the season and it was the first game after George Graham's departure from White Hart Lane. The goals were scored by Les Ferdinand, Steffan Iversen and Sergei Rebrov and supporters were almost treated to a once in a life time experience - it looked as if Steffan Freund (pic.) was about to core his first goal for the club. He broke clear on the right and cut in on goal, his shot across goal beat the goalkeeper and with everyone on their feet, the ball slid past the wrong side ofthe post. So nearly a 'classic' moment.

Freund was totally committed but in over 130 League and Cup appearances for Spurs during his five years at the club from 1999 to 2003, he failed to score a single goal in a competitive match. His only appearance among the goal scorers was in a pre-season friendly against Stevenage Borough.

The team against Coventry was under the control of Graham's Assistant, Stewart Houston but he was replaced on a temporary basis by Director of Football, David Pleat while we awaited the arrival of the manager everyone wanted at White Hart Lane. It was no secret that the position was for Glenn Hoddle, it was only a matter of time until agreement was reached with Southampton so that Hoddle and his assistant John Gorman could take control at Tottenham. It duly happened and their first game in charge was the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal three weeks later.

Spurs in History - 16th February

16th February, 1999
Wimbledon 0 Spurs 1 Worthington Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg

There have been few really successful evenings for Spurs supporters to remember in the last two decades but this is one of them. A single goal from Steffan Iversen in the Worthington Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg match was sufficient to secure a place in the Final at Wembley.

Spurs and Wimbledon had played a series of five League and Cup games through January and February and all had been very close. Having drawn 0-0 in the 1st Leg, this was the really important one with a place in the Final at stake. Spurs showed great resolve and the second half goal was well deserved. The players held on through a frantic final few minutes and then the fans swarmed onto the pitch to join in the celebrations.

17th March - Spurs in History

Goodbye, George Graham.

Spurs 3 Coventry City 0

Out - George Graham

Rarely can a Spurs victory have been so overshadowed by events off the field.  The previous day, Spurs announced the departure of their manager George Graham.  The manager did not have the support of the fans because of his long association with Arsenal and his style of play also annoyed supporters who had to endure four successive 0-0 score lines in the League in January and February. The 'official' reason given was that Graham had made critical comments to journalists about money being available to sign players.

In - Glenn Hoddle?

However, the team had showed improved form and style in FA Cup, having reached the semi-final after victories over Leyton Orient, Charlton, Stockport and West Ham.  The win over West Ham had been on the previous Sunday and with a semi-final against Arsenal, his departure came as a complete shock.  Many rejoiced at his departure, especially with speculation that Glenn Hoddle would return as manager.  However, with such an important came to come, the timing may not have been the best.

With David Pleat in charge, once again, the players appeared to have no difficulty with the departure and performed well against a Coventry team who were finally to relinquish their Premiership position at the end of the season.  The goals were scored by Steffan Iversen, Les Ferdinand and Sergei Rebrov.

The star of the show was Stephen Carr who rampaged up and down the right wing at will to create opportunities for the fowrwards. This was Carr at his best, before his operation and before his attitude changed so dramatically.

The 35,606 supporters present almost witnessed a 'special' moment.  It would have been a collectors' item - a Steffan Freund goal.  He broke on the right towards the Paxton Road end, cut in on goal and shot across the goalkeeper - it looked a goal all the way but shaved the far post.  So close but so far and he never managed to score a competitive goal for Spurs.

A St. Patrick's Day trip to remember.