Spurs Record in FA Cup Semi-Finals

Spurs have reached the semi-finals stage of the FA Cup on eighteen previous occasions.  They have successfully reached the Final on nine occasions but in their last six semi-finals they have been unsuccessful.  

 Tottenham's last successful FA Cup team in 1991

For the Record:

Tottenham's FA Cup Semi-Final Win and Loss Account: 

* 1901 West Bromwich Albion (Villa Park) Won 4-0 Brown (4)
* 1921 Preston North End (Hillsborough) Won 2-1 Bliss (2)
 1922 Preston North End (Hillsborough) Lost 1-2 Seed
1948 Blackpool (Villa Park) Lost 1-3 (aet) Duquemin
1953 Blackpool (Villa Park) Lost 1-2 Duquemin
1956 Manchester City (Villa Park) Lost 0-1 
* 1961 Burnley (Villa Park) Won 3-0 Smith R (2), Jones
* 1962 Manchester United (Hillsborough) Won 3-1 Greaves, Medwin, Jones 
* 1967 Nottingham Forest (Hillsborough) Won 2-1 Greaves, Saul
* 1981 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Hillsborough) Draw 2-2 (aet) Archibald, Hoddle
Replay Wolverhampton Wanderers (Highbury) Won 3-0 Crooks (2), Villa
* 1982 Leicester City (Villa Park) Won 2-0 Crooks, Opp. o.g.
* 1987 Watford (Villa Park) won 4-1 Hodge (2), Allen P, Allen C 
* 1991 Arsenal (Wembley) Won 3-1 Gascoigne, Lineker (2) 
1993 Arsenal (Wembley) Lost 0-1
1995 Everton (Elland Road) Lost 1-4 Klinsmann (p)
1999 Newcastle United (Old Trafford) Lost 0-2 (aet)
 2001 Arsenal (Old Trafford) Lost 1-2 Doherty
2010 Portsmouth (Wembley) Lost 0-2 (aet)
2012 Chelsea (Wembley) Lost 1 - 5 Bale

Spurs last successful FA Cup semi-final was victory over Arsenal in 1991 with Paul Gascoigne's never to be forgotten goal which set Spurs on the road to success.  That was their seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final success dating back to the 'Double' team of 1961, although on one occasion in 1981 it required a replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Highbury to secure their passage to the Final.

From 1921 to 1961 Spurs reached the semi-final stage on four occasions but lost each time, including three failures between 1948 and 1956 when they lost at Villa Park.  At the time the club, players and supporters were convinced they were jinxed at that ground and it took the 'Double' winning team to break that myth. 

Controversy has not been far away when Spurs have gone out at the semi-final stage, starting back with the 1922 defeat and most definitely in the most recent loss to Chelsea. 

Tottenham and the FA Cup (3rd Round)

Spurs and the FA Cup 3rd Round 
[Article first appeared on Topspurs]

Gary Mabbutt FA Cup winning Captain

The first Saturday in January and the FA Cup 3rd Round go together hand in hand and has always been a special day in the football calendar.  The Final in May is a memorable occasion for two clubs and their fans but 3rd Round day includes everyone.  The excitement would have started a few weeks earlier when the draw was made on a Monday lunch-time in early December – there was so much more tension listening on the radio as the reporter entered the inner sanctuary of FA headquarters than there is now with former players trying to put on a show.  Then on 3rd Round Saturday as it used to be, there was the excitement of scouring the papers to see if any of the journalists would tip your team for success at Wembley and there was always a new sense of expectation and hope for every fan as they truly believed that, no matter how poorly their team had performed over the first five months of the season, that ‘this could be the year’ when their team would win the Cup.

The 3rd Round weekend reminds us of the true romance of football – the Premier League clubs finding it uncomfortable when visiting some of the less well off teams, the opportunity for the ‘giant-killers’ to have their day or a player returning to a former club to show what he could have done had he not been released. All the ingredients are there and they’ll be put into the mix again this weekend.

Incredibly, Spurs last won the FA Cup in 1991.  The images are also still so vivid in the memory that it’s hard to believe it is so long ago - Gazza and his free-kick in the semi-final at Wembley, followed by his celebrations after the win over Arsenal and then his self-inflicted injury in the Final before it all turned out right on the day with Gary Mabbutt lifting the Cup.  On that Saturday in May, Spurs were collecting the trophy for the record equalling eighth time, drawing level with Manchester United for the record number of wins and Spurs’ reputation as a ‘Cup’ team was further enhanced.  Now they are third on that list behind United and Arsenal.

However, it had only been in the previous thirty years that Spurs had acquired that reputation – in the first seventy eight years since their formation they had only won the Cup twice, as a non-league side in 1901 and twenty years later having just escaped the 2nd Division the previous summer.  At the start of the 1950s, Arthur Rowe’s ‘Push and Run’ team won the 2nd and 1st Division championships in consecutive seasons but the fans clamoured for the cherry on the top of the cake, an FA Cup success – but it wasn’t to be.

A team that wins the Cup will have its moments of good fortune and often they can occur in that very early round.  In Spurs’ last Cup win in 1991 the 3rd Round tie was a game made for a Cup shock. Spurs who were having an indifferent season were drawn away to 4th Division Blackpool.  To make matters worse the game was played in extremely stormy conditions and there had been doubts over whether the game would even take place.  Spurs were not known for handling such a tricky situation but they showed determination and character.  They managed to overcome the weather and Blackpool with a goal from the former Blackpool player, Paul Stewart.  It was to everyone’s relief that they had safely negotiated the first hurdle on a possible road to Wembley.

In 1901, the 3rd Round equivalent was the 1st Round and the match wasn’t played until early February due to the death of Queen Victoria.  Spurs were defending Southern League Champions and their first opponents were the might of the 1st Division, Preston North End, the team they had so admired that they had adopted their colours two seasons previously and who had defeated them in the same round a year earlier.  Having lost at Preston the previous year, Spurs were hoping for revenge but when the visitors took the lead midway through the first half the prospects were not looking good. Spurs increased the pressure in the second half but the Preston goalkeeper played exceptionally well to deny them until nine minutes from time when Sandy Brown equalised.  The return of inside forward David Copeland, the previous season’s inspiration, from long term injury just prior to this game, had been a great boost to the team and they set out for the replay at Preston with another injured player returning, captain John Jones.  In the replay Spurs looked a different side going ahead through Copeland and Brown then added another two before the interval.  Preston pulled a goal back but Brown completed his hat-trick and although Preston scored again, Spurs were safely through to the next round – the giant-killers were on their way.

Twenty years later, following promotion, Spurs, after a disappointing start to the season, were coping well in the 1st Division.  Their first game in the FA Cup (1st Round) saw them drawn at home to Bristol Rovers who were in the 3rd Division, their first season in the Football League. The two clubs had met at Bristol the previous year at the same stage of the competition.  Spurs won 4-1 on that occasion and this again turned out to be one of Spurs’ easiest opening rounds – they were one up after four minutes and four ahead by half-time, ensuring a comfortable victory.  Having taken an early lead through Jimmy Seed they added to it with a Tommy Clay penalty.  Goals from Bert Smith and Fanny Walden gave them a 4 – 0 lead by half-time.  Rovers scored early in the second half, before Jimmy Cantrell scored and then after Rovers’ second, Bert Bliss added a late sixth.  These names were to become part of the illustrious history of Spurs.

Over the next forty years Spurs reached the semi-finals on a number of occasions but always fell short and so it was not until the ‘Double’ year that Spurs managed to get to another Final.  On that occasion in 1961 their 3rd Round opponents were Charlton Athletic from the 2nd Division.   As Spurs were well ahead at the top of the 1st Division, this game was regarded as a formality but Charlton had other ideas and made the mighty Spurs fight all the way.  It took two goals from Les Allen and one from Terry Dyson for Spurs to come through with a 3-2 success.

The following year as Cup holders Spurs were drawn to play 1st Division opponents, Birmingham City at St. Andrews.  It was a very difficult tie on a pitch that had been covered in snow for much of the previous week.  Spurs took a three goal lead by the 32nd minute. However Birmingham fought their way back into the game by scoring a minute later and then equalized with two second half goals. The ‘Double’ winning team of the previous season had been strengthened by the signing of Jimmy Greaves who scored the first and third goals, the second a header, with Cliff Jones scoring the second. Spurs won the replay 4 – 2, with goals from Terry Medwin (2), Greaves and Les Allen.

The opening to the 1966-67 had seen little of note or any sign of impending success but then in mid-January Spurs struck a rich vein of form which took them all the way to Wembley.  Spurs 3rd Round opponents made it very difficult for them at The Den.  Millwall were in the 2nd Division and it was a typical Cup-tie and Spurs were glad of a number of saves from Pat Jennings to foil the home side and with relief escaped back to White Hart Lane with a scoreless draw. The only goal in the following Wednesday’s replay was scored by Alan Gilzean.

In similar fashion, the 1980-81 season had proceeded through the opening months with little of note when Spurs were faced with a 3rd Round game at Loftus Road against Queen’s Park Rangers.  After what was called a ‘sterile’ contest ended in a scoreless draw against the 2nd Division side, few would have expected Spurs to make much progress in the competition.  Spurs won 3-1 in the replay with the goals scored by Tony Galvin, Glenn Hoddle and Garth Crooks.

It was different twelve months later as it was a season when Spurs were striving for trophies in four competitions. Also the 3rd Round game had so much extra importance as Spurs as Cup holders were given the tie of the round – at home to North London neighbours, Arsenal.  The two clubs had only met on one previous occasion in the FA Cup, Arsenal having won 3-0 in a 3rd Round game at Highbury in 1949.

A crowd of 38,421 watched a match that was settled by a Garth Crooks goal which went under the body of former Spurs goalkeeper, Pat Jennings.  That unusual mistake was only part of Jennings’ misery that day as an injury saw him substituted later in the game.

The romance of the FA Cup came to White Hart Lane in 1993 when Spurs were drawn against non-League Marlow Town in the 3rd Round.   The game should have been at Marlow but the club agreed to play at White Hart Lane to increase their financial wind-fall from the 26,636 spectators in attendance.  Marlow performed well but were beaten by goals from nicky Barmby (2), Vinny Samways (2) and Teddy Sheringham.  However, the biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the Marlow Town scorer who got his team's thoroughly deserved consolation goal a few minutes from the end.

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 but ran out easy winners through goals from Cyril Knowles, Martin Peters, Martin Chivers (2), John Pratt and Jimmy Pearce.

Not all 3rd Round games have been so fortuitous for Spurs, six year's ago they contrived to lose a two goal lead at Leicester City at a time when the home side hadn’t won in seven games and had been goal-less in the previous three.  Two seasons earlier, the players capitulated at Southampton and lost by four goals, demonstrating the level to which the club had sunk in those Hoddle times.

In 1999 Spurs departed the FA Cup before Christmas.  The 3rd Round ties were played in December and after drawing 1-1 at home with Newcastle United, they lost the replay 1-6 so Spurs didn’t play an FA Cup game in the year 2000.  Thankfully, the authorities returned the 3rd Round games to their rightful place at the beginning of January.

Neither have they avoided the embarrassment of suffering at the hands of lower level teams – in 1923 in the 1st Round Spurs were drawn at home to Worksop Town, a team from the Midland League. Spurs - 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 showed determination and bravery to earn their place in Cup history.  The Worksop ground was thought unsuitable for the replay and Spurs readily agreed to play it at White Hart Lane.  So, on the Monday after the first game, Worksop sent out the same eleven players to face Spurs.  Relieved at having an opportunity to put things right, Spurs won 9-0.  Playing conditions had improved and Spurs were six up by half-time.  Their goals were scored by Alec Lindsay (4), ‘Tich’ Handley (3), Jimmy Seed and Jimmy Dimmock.

More recently, in 1953 Spurs met Tranmere Rovers, a mid-table team in the Third Division North and they held Spurs to a 1-1 draw at home.  The replay was a different matter as Spurs won 9-1 through goals from Sid McClellan (3), Len Duquemin (2),  Roy Hollis (2) and EddieBaily (2).  The successful team of the early 1950s had not made any impact in the F.A. Cup and many thought that this could be their year but after nine games, including four replays, having scored 21 goals, Spurs failed in their fifth semi-final.

In 1979, Keith Burkinshaw’s side suffered a similar fate as they drew 1-1 with non-League Altrincham at White Hart Lane.  The goal scored by Peter Taylor from the penalty spot enabled them to try again at Maine Road where the replay was played.  This time a Colin Lee hat-trick saw Spurs into the next round.

In 1993-94 Spurs were grateful for penalties as they defeated Peterborough United at home after two 1-1 draws. Spurs held their nerve and scored all five penalties.

Other memorable 3rd Round ties were games against Manchester United.  In 1968 a difficult 3rd Round tie at Old Trafford saw Spurs earn a replay in a thrilling action-packed game through a last minute equalizer from Martin Chivers.  Mike England returned, having been out for two months with injury but Jimmy Greaves was left out and Phil Beal played as an extra defender.  Chivers scored for Spurs 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.  The replay was a very tight and combative affair.  Jimmy Greaves was re-instated to the Spurs team but the match remained scoreless after ninety minutes.  Meeting four days after the original match, some old scores had to be settled and in the second half Joe Kinnear and Brian Kidd were sent off for a tussle in the Spurs penalty area.  In extra time the match was settled by a disputed goal from winger, Jimmy Robertson – United players felt that England had impeded their goalkeeper.

In January, 1980 Spurs and United had drawn 1-1 at Tottenham in the 3rd Round, Ossie Ardiles scoring, but Spurs progressed the hard way.  The replay was scoreless, in spite of Glenn Hoddle having to take over in goal for the injured Aleksic.  Hoddle played confidently and as extra time was drawing to a close, Ossie Ardiles managed to summon a last ounce of energy to score the winner. Spurs, under Keith Burkinshaw, were now beginning to re-establish themselves in the 1st Division although further Cup success would have to wait for another season ending in ‘1’.

The FA Cup 3rd Round memories are endless, so perhaps it’s time for Spurs to rekindle their love affair with the competition and make a successful trip to the Final at Wembley.  The 3rd Round games are so much more memorable when there’s a winning Final at the end of all the effort.

‘Spurs are on their way to Wembley’

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 10 (1961)

The 1961 FA Cup Final at Wembley against Leicester City was the most important game in the club's history.  Victory would bring down the curtain on the club's most successful season ever with the completion of the League and FA Cup 'Double'.  It brought Spurs another 'first' - the first team to win that accolade in the 20th century.


1961 FA Cup Final
Leicester City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Bill Nicholson & Danny Blanchflower

No team had won the 'Double' in the 20th Century and it was regarded as an impossible task among commentators of that time.  The achievement had not been completed since the early days of the competitions - by Preston North End in 1889 and Aston Villa eight years later.  In those early days teams played a greatly reduced number of matches to achieve their goal - Preston had to play a total of twenty seven games while Villa had an additional eight League games.

However, undeterred by such views, Tottenham captain, Danny Blanchflower, made a confident prediction to his Chairman prior to the commencement of the 1960 - 61 season, that the team would win the 'double' in the season ahead.  Danny was always known for his 'gift of the gab' with a good story to tell but in this case he later confirmed that he truely believed it was possible.  The team then proceeded to win their first eleven matches, went undefeated for sixteen games until mid-November and by the start of the FA Cup in January, with 25 games played, Spurs were top of the 1st Division with a 10 point lead ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Road to Wembley
3rd Round v Charlton Athletic (h) Won 3 - 2  Allen (2), Dyson
Charlton from the old 2nd Division were expected to be easy prey for all conquering Tottenham but they came so close to causing a Cup up-set and for a long period it seemed that a replay would be on the cards.  The visitors took the game to Spurs in the early stages but a pass from Danny Blanchflower set up Les Allen to put Spurs ahead after six minutes.  Charlton continued their endeavour and were heartened as Tottenham missed a number of chances to increase their lead.  However, with less than half an hour gone, another Blanchflower pass enabled Allen to score his second.  Almost immediately, Charlton pulled a goal back, only for Terry Dyson to restore the two goal advantage.  A minute into the second half Charlton scored a second and suddenly Spurs were up against it as the visitors increased the pressure with Bill Brown coming to the rescue on a number of occasions.  Tottenham held out, relieved to have survived from a much more difficult game than they had ever anticipated.

4th Round v Crewe Alexandra (h) Won 5 - 1  Mackay, Jones, Smith, Allen, Dyson
A year previously the two clubs had met in the same round of the competition with Tottenham triumphing 13 - 2 in a replay at White Hart Lane after a 2 - 2 draw at Crewe's Gresty Road ground.  If Crewe, from the 4th Division, had been hoping for a good start to avoid another humiliation, they were to be disappointed as Dyson headed Spurs ahead from a corner after four minutes.  The Crewe goalkeeper, Williamson, was the hero of the day as he restricted Tottenham to five goals.  After twenty two minutes, Bobby Smith added a second but three minutes later, in a rare attack, Crewe scored their only goal.  Three minutes later Dave Mackay scored a third from a corner and in the second half, Cliff Jones and Allen completed the scoring, Allen having to settle for a solitary goal rather than the five he managed a year previously.


5th Round v Aston Villa (a) Won 2 - 0  Jones, Opp. o.g.
A more difficult examination of Tottenham's Cup winning credentials was expected from this tie against 1st Division opposition.  A week earlier the two clubs had met in the League at the same venue with Smith and Dyson scoring in a 2 - 1 victory.  Jones was the master on this occasion.  Having failed to stop Spurs a week earlier with strength and endeavour, Villa tried to use finesse and pure football but with the same result.  Tottenham took the lead after seventeen minutes through an own goal when the Villa full back diverted a Jones shot into the net.  Spurs were on top, with Brown making his first meaningful save just before half-time.  Then, almost immediately Tottenham responded and scored their second from Jones, following another flowing, passing movement.  Match over, Spurs strolled through the second half with Villa unable to unsettle them.


6th Round v Sunderland (a) Draw 1 - 1  Jones
This was undoubtedly Tottenham's most difficult match in the Cup campaign.  Second Division, Sunderland who had already defeated Arsenal, Liverpool and Norwich City in earlier rounds were determined to show that they could match their more illustrious opponents and in the end Spurs were relieved to return to London with the opportunity to settle matters in a replay.  Jones headed Tottenham ahead with a soft goal from a corner and then the game deteriorated with some quite dull football.  Before the interval, Smith's shot hit the post after he had rounded the goalkeeper but in the second half the match changed totally.  Sunderland, roared on by the home crowd, levelled after four minutes when a speculative shot was deflected past Brown.  Sunderland were energized and Tottenham were reduced to pulling everyone back to defend with only the occasional foray forward.  Tottenham had paid the price for being too casual in the first half and had to battle for the final forty minutes to keep their dream of the 'Double' alive.

6th Round (Replay) v Sunderland (h) Won 5 - 0  Mackay, Smith, Allen, Dyson (2)
The Tottenham players had learned their lesson from the first game four days earlier and they weren't going to get caught out again.  With the gates locked half an hour before kick-off and thousands still outside unable to get in, Sunderland started bravely but with almost half an hour played, Spurs scored through Allen.  Five minutes later Smith scored after Jones' shot had been parried by the goalkeeper and on half-time, John White and Jones set up Dyson for the third.  In the second half Spurs added further goals with a header from Dyson and a fifth from Mackay.


Semi-Final v Burnley (at Villa Park) Won 3 - 0  Jones, Smith (2)
Villa Park was not Spurs' favourite ground for FA Cup semi-finals, having lost the last three they had played there in 1948, 1953 and 1956.  At the fourth attempt, it was the ‘Double’ team elect that was to lay the ghost of Villa Park. 

Drawn to play defending League champions Burnley a tight game was expected as Burnley had recovered from a four goal deficit to earn a draw in the League game at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.  The semi-final tie saw Spurs take the lead after half an hour when a defensive mistake allowed Smith through on goal.  Burnley rallied and in the minutes before and after the interval Spurs survived a number of dangerous attacks.  Then with forty eight minutes gone Spurs went further ahead when Smith scored his second.  This deflated Burnley and Jones added the third near the end after good work from White and Dyson.  Spurs were on their way to Wembley for the very first time where they would find Leicester City attempting to prevent them completing an historic ‘Double.’  It would be Spurs third FA Cup Final but their first since 1921.

Final v Leicester City (at Wembley) Won 2 - 0  Smith, Dyson
Many teams had failed at the final step in their pursuit of the 'Double' and Tottenham were determined not to fall in to that category.  They had won the League a few weeks earlier but their form had taken a dip and they had missed out on setting a new record for the number of points won as they lost two of their final three games, including defeats at Burnley and at home to West Bromwich Albion.  Leicester City had finished sixth in the league and had the distinction of being the first team to defeat Spurs at White Hart Lane that season, achieving a 3 - 2 success in February.

The 1961 FA Cup Final didn't live up to the high expectations of the pre-match hype.  Bobby Smith played despite an injury problem but it was an early injury to Len Chalmers, the Leicester full back which had the greatest bearing on the match as Leicester found themselves effectively reduced to ten men, although the injured full back hobbled on the wing.  Spurs had started brightly and could have scored in the opening minutes but then they let Leicester have more of the ball leading up the injury after twenty minutes when Allen and Chalmers collided.

Tottenham now had the advantage but couldn't find a way to goal.  Jones had a first half 'goal' incorrectly disallowed for offside but it wasn't until twenty minutes from time that they eventually went ahead.  Allen and Dyson set up Smith who turned and shot past Gordon Banks.  Seven minutes later, White dispossessed Chalmers and passed to Smith who crossed to the far post where Dyson headed home to secure Tottenham's 'Double' triumph.

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

The 'Double' had been achieved and although the Final hadn't been a classic, the team did what was required of them.  The players had produced many exhilarating, quality performances during the season but with the high level of expectation and pressure on the team, on this occasion it was a matter of the job had been completed as they became the first team in the 20th Century to win the elusive 'Double' as 1st Division Champions and FA Cup winners.

Tottenhan Hotspur 1960 - 61 The 'Double' Winners

(1960 - 61) League and Cup Appearances
Tottenham used only 17 players through the season and only 12 played in the FA Cup games - Terry Medwin replacing the injured Jones for the 3rd Round match.  In the League Blanchflower, Allen, Ron Henry and White were ever presents, Brown, Baker and Norman missed only one match while Dyson was missing from two.  Mackay made 37 appearances, Bobby Smith 36 and Jones 29.  Of the reserves Medwin played 14 games, Tony Marchi and Frank Saul made 6 appearances each, with John Hollowbread (goalkeeper), Ken Barton (full back) and John Smith (half back) making a single appearance each.

League and Cup Goals

Eleven players contributed to the season's goal tally of 115 in the League and 21 in the FA Cup.  Bobby Smith was leading goal scorer with 33 goals (28 Lge + 5 Cup), Les Allen was close behind with 27 (23 + 4) while Jones contributed 19 (15 + 4).  Terry Dyson who scored 17 (12 + 5) was joint top scorer with Smith in the Cup.  White contributed 13 in the League and Blanchflower and Mackay both managed 6, two of Mackay's coming in the Cup.  In the League, Medwin contributed 5, Norman scored 4, Frank Saul added 3 and Peter Baker scored once.  Two additional goals came courtesy of the opposition, one each in the League and the Cup.

The names of the 'Double' team will be forever etched in the memories of every Tottenham supporter.  Too easily are players now labelled 'legends' but this was a team of 'Legends' and the one that every subsequent Tottenham team have been trying emulate and live up to.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 7 (1999)

It was a long time in coming but eventually 'the man in the raincoat' oversaw Tottenham's third League (Worthington) Cup success after only a few months in charge.  The run to Wembley had many memorable moments even if the Final itself was a disappointment, although in the end Tottenham experienced the joy of winning the Cup.

1999 Worthington Cup Final
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Leicester City 0

Last Gasp Neilsen Wins Cup for Tottenham

Nielsen - Scorer and Man of the Match

The 1999 Worthington Cup Final is probably the least memorable of all of Tottenham's Cup Final appearances.  In an extremely dull game where neither side seemed capable of winning and with extra time looming, a goal in the final minute from Allan Neilsen brought an end to all the tedium and ensured another Cup Final victory for Spurs.  George Graham, the manager that no Spurs supporter wanted had brought silverware to the club within five months of taking charge.  Throughout his tenure the nearest supporters came to acknowledging him was by referring to the team as 'the man in the raincoat's blue and white army'.  Tottenham had been reduced to ten men when Justin Edinburgh was harshly sent off but they showed grit against a lack-lustre Leicester City team to score the late, late winner.

Road to Wembley
2nd Round (1st Leg) v Brentford (a) Won 3 - 2  Carr, Dominguez, Vega
By the time this tie came round in mid-September Tottenham had already plunged into crisis when following two disappointing defeats to Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday, Christian Gross was removed from his post less than a year after becoming manager at White Hart Lane.  David Pleat took control as caretaker manager until an appointment was made.

Brentford, in the 3rd Division, took the lead midway through the first half although Spurs had been fortunate on a couple of occasions not to concede earlier.  It wasn't until a minute to the interval that Stephen Carr equalised with his first ever goal for Spurs.  Tottenham enjoyed a period of dominance early in the second half and were rewarded when Jose Dominguez scored.  However, Spurs continued to make mistakes allowing Brentford to level from a poor back pass after 66 minutes.  It took Ramon Vega's headed goal from a David Ginola corner with eight minutes remaining to give Spurs the advantage at the end of the 1st leg.

2nd Round (2nd Leg) v Brentford (h) Won 3 - 2  Nielsen, Campbell, Armstrong
Brentford stunned Spurs by levelling the tie in the first minute of the match and could have gone ahead from a long range shot but for an acrobatic save from Hans Segers.  Brentford matched Spurs throughout the first half only for Allan Nielsen to equalise after a shot from Chris Armstrong had been parried by the goalkeeper on 24 minutes.  Sol Campbell gave Spurs the lead within a minute of the restart, following up after a Ginola shot had been blocked by the keeper.  Seven minutes later Spurs had a two goal advantage after Nielsen hit the post and Armstrong was on hand to knock in the rebound.  Brentford weren't going to lie down and scored with fifteen minutes remaining and while Spurs progressed, it was Brentford who deserved all the praise and credit from the two matches.

3rd Round v Northampton Town (a) Won 3 - 1  Armstrong (2), Campbell 
This is the sort of Cup tie that Tottenham don't like but under new manager, George Graham, they made no mistakes although the home team did take the lead after half an hour after a mistake from Espen Baardsen.  On a near water-logged pitch Armstrong equalised nine minutes later and Campbell's goal two minutes after the interval settled Spurs who added a third through Armstrong seven minutes from time.  David Ginola inspired Spurs, working hard to drive them forward against the 2nd Division team, although he saw a penalty that he had earned with Spurs 2 - 1 ahead, saved by the goalkeeper.

 4th Round v Liverpool (a) Won 3 - 1  Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
A trip to Anfield where Spurs hadn't won since 1995 but Spurs were in control from the second minute when Steffan Iversen put them ahead although Liverpool had hit the bar in the opening minute.  After 20m minutes John Scales scored past Brad Friedel (a future Spurs goalkeeper)against his former club and then with an hour gone Nielsen made it three - an unbelievable score line for Tottenham fans.  With ten minutes left Liverpool scored a consolation goal but Tottenham had a victory to savour.

5th Round v Manchester United (h) Won 3 - 1  Armstrong (2), Ginola 
David Ginola was the inspiration behind this Spurs performance and capped it with an outstanding goal to seal the victory.  A weakened United kept Spurs alert but two headed goals from Armstrong early in the second half put Spurs in the ascendancy and while Teddy Sheringham pulled one back with twenty minutes to go, Ginola's 'special' strike ensured their passage to the semi-finals.  This was the only competition that United didn't win in their 'treble' season, foiled by the 'mighty' Spurs.

Semi-Final (1st Leg) v Wimbledon (h) Draw 0 - 0
This match was the third of a series of five League and Cup games between the two teams played in a month.  The first two, played in the previous week had ended scoreless and this one continued the sequence giving Wimbledon the psychological advantage with the second leg at home.  The visitors defended stoutly and although Spurs created the better chances, the stalemate continued.

Semi-Final (2nd Leg) v Wimbledon (a) Won 1 - 0  Iversen
The fourth game of the sequence had seen Spurs triumph with an emphatic 3 - 0 success in the FA Cup replay at White Hart Lane.  This was a typically, physical bustling Cup-tie with both teams giving their all.  From that industry a moment of exquisite skill by Iversen seven minutes before half-time was enough to take Spurs to Wembley.  Ferdinand pressurised a defender to pass back to his goalkeeper but he directed the ball to Iversen who coolly and composed chipped the ball over the stranded keeper, Neil Sullivan - another future Tottenham keeper, and into the net from the edge of the penalty area.  In the second half, it was backs to the wall as Spurs defended their lead with energy.  Not a pretty sight but in true George Graham style, very effective.


Worthington Cup Final v Leicester City (at Wembley) Won 1 - 0  Nielsen
In a match that has long been forgotten by all but Tottenham supporters, Leicester City were set up to deny Spurs time and space but with few attacking ides of their own.  Spurs were unable to take advantage of these negative tactics and were drawn into a game of attrition.  Even when Justin Edinburgh was sent off following a minor altercation with Robbie Savage after an hour, Leicester didn't show any urgency or inclination to try to win the game.  Just as it looked as if everyone was going to have to endure thirty minutes of extra time, Spurs broke on the right and worked the ball to Iversen who powered in on goal and shot, Kasey Keller, yet another future Tottenham keeper, could only parry his effort and Allan Nielsen who was following up, flung himself forward to head the ball into the net.   The 90th minute had come and gone so supporters knew that goal was going to be the winner.  Cue rejoicing among Spurs supporters around Wembley and celebration as Sol Campbell lifted the Cup. It wasn't the greatest of Finals or Cup Final victories but Spurs had the joy of winning another trophy and were back in Europe once again.


Team: Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh; Anderton, Freund, Nielsen, Ginola (Sinton), Iversen, Ferdinand.  Subs (unused): Baardsen, Young, Dominguez, Armstrong. 

Allan Nielsen

Allan Nielsen, a Danish international midfielder, joined Tottenham in 1996 from Brondby for a fee of £1.65 million.  He made 96 League appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.  He made 18 Cup appearances and scored 6 goals, including three in the Worthington Cup - all coming in the Cup winning season with the Wembley winner as the most memorable.  He received the 'Man of the Match' award as Tottenham lifted their third League Cup trophy.  However, the arrival of Tim Sherwood from Blackburn Rovers who was Cup-tied for this competition restricted Nielsen's opportunities at Spurs.  The following season he played fewer games for Spurs so went out on loan and was transferred to Watford for £2.5 million in July, 2000.

Goalkeepers:  Tottenham used three goalkeepers through this competition.  Espen Baardsen had replaced Ian Walker after the two defeats at the beginning of the season.  Hans Segers was called upon for the home tie against Brentford when Baardsen was injured but Walker had reclaimed the position by the time of the Manchester United match.

The Cup run also saw Spurs play against three goalkeepers who would through time become the occupant of the Number 1 shirt at White Hart Lane.  Neil Sullivan joined Tottenham from Wimbledon in the summer of 2000 and Kasey Keller would then replace Sullivan after signing in 2002.  Brad Friedel would join Spurs, aged forty in the summer of 2011 after spending his career playing for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 6 (1967)

From mid-January, 1967 through to the end of the season Tottenham went on an undefeated run which lifted them to third in the 1st Division and to the first all London FA Cup Final.  At Wembley they had too much for Chelsea and lifted the trophy for the fifth time.

1967 FA Cup Final
Chelsea 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Unsung Heroes Win Trophy for Spurs

Kinnear, Saul, England and Gilzean

While everyone was looking to Jimmy Greaves or Alan Gilzean to provide the winning goals for Tottenham at Wembley in the FA Cup Final, it was two of the lesser known players who scored the goals that took the trophy back to White Hart Lane.  Wingers, Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul each scored a goal in each half to give Spurs a two goal lead and a late consolation for Chelsea was not enough to spoil Spurs' afternoon as they lifted the FA Cup for the fifth time in their history and for the third time in seven years.  Bill Nicholson had spent a large amount of money to recruit players in his rebuilding programme after the demise of the successful team of the early 1960s.  He had bought nearly an entire team - Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Alan Mullery, Mike England, Jimmy Robertson, Alan Gilzean and Terry Venables had been purchased while Joe Kinnear and Frank Saul came through the youth system.  Only Dave Mackay, Jimmy Greaves and Cliff Jones remained from the team of the early 60s.


Road to Wembley:
3rd Round v Millwall (a) Draw 0 - 0 
Tottenham faced a difficult game against 2nd Division London rivals, Millwall, at their compact, hostile and muddy ground, The Den.  Spurs had chances to win but were relieved to return to White Hart Lane for the replay the following Wednesday evening.  Pat Jennings ensured that would happen with a number of important saves to earn the scoreless draw.

3rd Round Replay v Millwall (h) Won 1 - 0 Gilzean
Millwall made it difficult for Spurs in the replay at White Hart Lane and saw two chances cleared of the Spurs line.  Only a goal scored by Alan Gilzean separated the two teams and that came when Jimmy Greaves intercepted a back-pass to the goalkeeper who blocked his shot but the ball fell to Gilzean to knock in to an empty net. 

4th Round v Portsmouth (h) Won 3 - 1 Gilzean (2), Greaves 

Tottenham had to fight to get past Portsmouth and again found it difficult against opponents they were expected to turn aside with ease.  After a scoreless first half Gilzean headed the opening goal seven minutes after the interval and a minute added the second.  Ten minutes later Greaves scored an exquisite third while Portsmouth had to settle for a late consolation. 

5th Round v Bristol City (h) Won 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Another tie that Spurs should have won with ease was to prove very difficult.  In a dramatic opening, Dave Mackay could have been sent off but having survived that difficulty, Spurs went ahead through Greaves after ten minutes.  Throughout the half Spurs continued to attack but without adding to the score.  Early in the second half Bristol missed an opportunity to equalise and then missed a twice taken penalty.  Jennings saved the first attempt but the second effort was put wide by a different player.  In the final minute Spurs were awarded a penalty and Greaves showed Bristol how to score and gave Spurs a comfortable lead, if not a comfortable win.  

6th Round v Birmingham City (a) Draw 0 - 0
Tottenham's first sojourn from London and they found it quite a struggle against a very physical Birmingham side.  Neither side deserved to win but Spurs were grateful for a match saving save from Jennings towards the end. 

6th Round Replay v Birmingham City (h) Won 6 - 0 Venables (2), Greaves (2), Gilzean, Saul
Tottenham finally showed their quality to outclass Birmingham and reached the semi-final in style.  Terry Venables put them ahead inside two minutes and added a second after twenty.  Gilzean quickly headed a third and in the second half Greaves scored two more after fifty and seventy five minutes.  The final goal came from Frank Saul with three minutes remaining.  Saul had replaced Cliff Jones in the team for the game at Birmingham.  

Semi-Final v Nottingham Forest (at Hillsborough) Won 2 - 1 Greaves, Saul
The two teams vying for second and third places in the League were drawn together for this semi-final.  Expectations were high and no-one was disappointed with the quality of the football on display.  Forest dominated the early play but after half an hour Greaves put Spurs ahead with a vintage goal.  Spurs were determined to hold their lead and added to it through Saul midway through the second half.  Forest were stunned but roused themselves for a final flourish in the dying minutes and managed to pull one back but it was too little too late. 

FA Cup Final v Chelsea (at Wembley) Won 2 - 1 Robertson, Saul
Cup Finals can sometimes throw up unexpected heroes and so it was for Spurs with their two vital goals coming from Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul.  The eagerly anticipated first all London FA Cup Final was an anti-climax and Chelsea failed to do themselves justice with their performance.  Tottenham were comfortable throughout and did what was required of them.  Greaves found himself closely marked by Ron Harris and so proved less effective in front of goal while Spurs prevented Charlie Cooke from having an influence on the game.   

Joe Kinnear had a starring role, attacking from the right full back position as Tottenham became the dominant team.  Towards the end of the first half, Alan Mullery picked up a quickly taken free-kick and ran towards the Chelsea goal.  The defenders, mindful of Greaves, backed off allowing Mullery time to shoot.  The ball was deflected to Robertson who hit it first time and scored.  

In the second half Spurs continued to be in control and added a second when Saul received the ball from Robertson.  With his back to goal, he turned and shot and scored.  'Glory! Glory!' to Spurs.

Chelsea managed a late goal when Jennings misjudged a cross but the Cup had been won by Tottenham for a fifth time.  That made it five FA Cup Finals for Spurs and five wins.  it wasn't the most memorable of Finals or performances by Tottenham but they had done what was required of them and Dave Mackay lifted the trophy and his third FA Cup winners medal. 

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery, England, Mackay; Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables, Saul.  Sub: (unused) Jones

Frank Saul

Frank Saul had progresses through the ranks at Tottenham and made his debut in the 'Double' winning season of 1960-61 at the age of seventeen.  He made six appearances that year, scoring three goals.  He continued as a useful reserve stepping in when more senior players were injured, including in European games, but never had the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular position.  At the start of 1964-65 he was given that chance and played more frequently over the next three seasons.  Towards the end of the Cup campaign he replaced Cliff  Jones in the team and held on to his place, playing in the four games from the 6th Round and scoring three goals.  

A hero in May but gone by January sums up Saul's career.  In total he made 116 appearances for Spurs and scored 37 goals but when Bil Nicholson looked to sign a new centre forward from Southampton, Frank Saul was used in part-exchange for Martin Chivers.

Bill Nicholson had seen his 'Double' winning team disintegrate with age, injury and death in the mid-60s and his rebuilding had taken longer that expected but the acquisition of Mike England and Terry Venables had added experience to the team.  Jennings, Knowles, Mullery and Robertson were now experienced players and he was looking to these players to provide the basis of his next successful era at Tottenham.  However, it didn't occur immediately and it would be another few years before Tottenham were able to reclaim a position at the top of English football.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 2 (1981)

Thursday, 14th May, 1981 marks the night Ricky Villa became a Tottenham 'legend'.  He came back from the disappointment of a poor performance and being substituted in the first game the previous Saturday, to score twice, the winner being one of the best goals ever seen at Wembley Stadium.

1981 FA Cup Final (Replay)
Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 2

Ricky Villa's Wonder Goal Wins Cup for Spurs!

Ricky Villa lifts FA Cup

The 1981 - 82 season had been just another step in Tottenham's endeavours to re-establish themselves as one of the top clubs in the country.  Keith Burkinshaw had slowly brought together a group of players who were capable of playing football in the style associated with Spurs.  After the club's relegation in 1976 - 77 and promotion the following season it had taken time  for the team to blend together together and in the League Tottenham were only to finish the season in 10th position.

However, from early January and the 3rd Round of the FA Cup the players grew in confidence and belief in themselves that they progressed to Wembley for the 100th FA Cup Final.  That small step during the 1980 - 81 season had turned into a massive stride forward for the manager, the players and the club as they went on to enjoy more success in the coming years.

1981 FA Cup Final Replay (from youtube)

Road to Wembley:
3rd Round: v Queen's Park Rangers (a) Draw 0 - 0
Replay: v Queen's Park Rangers (h) Won 3 - 1  Galvin, Hoddle, Crooks
Happy to leave Loftus Road with a draw against 2nd Division QPR, Spurs ensured their progress to the next round with a comfortable win at White Hart Lane.  Ricky Villa missed the home game through an injury sustained in the first game.

4th Round: v Hull City (h) Won 2 - 0  Archibald, Crooks
A visit from another 2nd Division side but the two strikers signed the previous summer scored the goals required to take Spurs into the 5th Round.

5th Round: v Coventry City (h) Won 3 - 1 Hughton, Ardiles, Archibald
Another home tie but against 1st Division opposition who were dismissed and Spurs supporters started to consider the possibility of the Cup returning to White Hart Lane as the year did end in '1'.

6th Round: v Exeter City (h) Won 2 - 0 Robertts, Miller

The draw once again proved favourable for Tottenham with a home game against the last lower League team left in the competition.  However, Exeter proved more difficult than had been expected bur two goals from central defensive partners Paul Miller and Graham Roberts took Spurs to the semi-finals for the first time since 1967.

Semi-Final: v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Hillsborough) Draw 2 - 2 (aet) Archibald, Hoddle
Ricky Villa returned from injury to start his first game since the 3rd Round.  Steve Archibald gave Spurs an early lead only for Wolves to draw level.  Before half-time Spurs went ahead through Glenn Hoddle and retained their lead until going into the final minutes when Wolves were awarded a controversial penalty.  Hoddle was penalised for a tackle which took place outside the penalty area.  Wolves scored from the spot taking the game went into extra time but neither team could settle the tie so requiring a replay.

Replay: v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Highbury) Won 3 - 0 Crooks (2), Villa
Tottenham took over Highbury and Garth Crooks scored twice with the third coming from Ricky Villa - a fierce drive following a run from halfway.

FA Cup Final: v Manchester City (Wembley) Draw 1 - 1 (aet) Hutchinson (og)
In a game that was rather dour, Manchester City's non-stop commitment and effort denied Tottenham and they took the lead through Tommy Hutchinson after half an hour.  It was a disappointing display from Spurs who couldn't get their game going and with twenty minutes remaining Ricky Villa was substituted.  The lasting memory is of the Argentine forlornly and slowly making his way past the Wembley stands to the dressing room - dejected and disappointed with his contribution to the game.  However, eleven minutes from time, good fortune favoured Tottenham.  They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and when Hoddle struck it, Hutchinson in trying to defend it only succeeded in deflecting it into his own goal.  Tottenham had been given a second chance.

Replay: v Manchester City (Wembley) Won 3 - 2 Villa (2), Crooks

For the replay, manager, Keith Burkinshaw, made a brave decision to include Ricky Villa as many had expected him to be dropped after his poor display on the Saturday.  However, having been given a reprieve, Villa immediately set about proving the manager correct by scoring the opening goal after eight minutes, a good strike as the ball fell to him in the penalty area.  The lead was short lived as three minutes later City equalised with a well struck shot from the edge of the box.  In a game that was much more open than the first match, City went ahead with a penalty early in the second half.  Tottenham battled on and equalised with a goal from Garth Crooks.  Level with twenty minutes remaining either team could have won but seven minutes later, Tony Galvin made a short pass to Ricky Villa wide on the left just inside City's half.  Villa set off on a run that took him past the City defenders and on into the penalty.  He continued his mazy dribble with team mates waiting for a pass, until finally getting past the last defender he placed the ball beyond the despairing keeper to score the winning goal.

That wonder goal not only won the FA Cup for Spurs for the sixth time but it turned Ricky Villa into an instant Tottenham legend and provided supporters with a moment in their lives that they will never forget, whether having been at Wembley or simply watching on television.  The joy of winning the Cup for Tottenham.
Team: Aleksic; Perryman, Roberts, Miller, Hughton; Ardiles, Hoddle, Villa, Galvin; Archibald, Crooks. Sub: Brooke (unused)

Ricky Villa Cup Hero

Ricky and Ossie Celebrate FA Cup win

Ricky Villa had arrived at Tottenham in the summer of 1978 with fellow Argentine, Oswaldo Ardiles, having helped their country win the World Cup.  Spurs had just won promotion from the 2nd Division after one season out of top flight football.  The news of their arrival caused great excitement not just at Tottenham but in English football in general as grounds were packed to see the two World Cup winners.  However, the reality was that Spurs were finding it difficult back in the 1st Division and the two new players needed time to adjust to English football.  In time Ardiles settled into the team but it was more difficult for Villa who was missing his home country and on occasions struggled with injury.  The manager struggled to find a suitable position for his new player who was not guaranteed a start in every game whereas Ardiles had quickly become an influential member of the team.  However, by the start of the Cup winning season, Villa had become a regular in midfield but injury in the first game of the Cup campaign saw Villa missing until the semi-finals.  What a contribution he made to the drama and excitement of the FA Cup in those four games which led to Tottenham enjoying a period of success not seen since the days of Bill Nicholson.

Michael Dawson's Wembley Jinx

Michael Dawson's Wembley
disappointments

In the past playing at Wembley Stadium was often regarded as the pinnacle of a footballer's career when the only opportunity to tread the hallowed turf came through a Cup Final appearance or an international match.  However, in this modern era there are so many games at the stadium - internationals, FA Cup semi-final and finals, League Cup finals, the Community Shield, Football League play-offs, random minor Cup finals and even pre-season tournaments, that to make an appearance there is not so highly regarded and for the top players it is common place.

However, for Michael Dawson, Tottenham's Player of the Year for last season, the new Wembley experience must be something of a disappointment.  Over the past three seasons he has had four opportunities to play there but they have not been as memorable as he would have hoped for and if he were a superstitious person he might be starting to feel that the place was jinxed as far as he was concerned.

2007-08 Carling Cup Final

Having helped Spurs reach the Final against Chelsea, appearing in four of the five games on the road to Wembley, including the famous 5-1 semi-final victory over Arsenal at White Hart Lane, Dawson cruelly missed out on the final through injury.  Two weeks before the final, he sustained an injury early in the league game at Derby County and was sidelined for a month.  However, as the team celebrated their stirring extra time success over Chelsea, Dawson showed his character and his pleasure for his colleagues and the club as he watched from the side-lines with a great smile, obviously enjoying the moment and not being overwhelmed by his own sense of disappointment at not being in the team that day.

2008-09 Carling Cup Final

Twelve months later as Spurs endeavoured to retain the trophy, Michael Dawson made it on to the pitch, partnering Ledley King in central defence.  This time he played his part as the defence held firm against the strike power of Manchester United but after extra time the match remained goal-less and Dawson could only watch helplessly as United took the game on penalties.  Another disappointment at Wembley for Dawson who had again played in four of the five games on the way to the final.

2009-10 F A Cup Semi-final

Spurs were looking good for another FA Cup final appearance, their first since Gazza and the 1991 success over Nottingham Forest, especially as they were playing Portsmouth whom they had defeated twice in the Premier League and who were facing relegation and were in serious financial difficulty.  However, the match didn't go as Spurs would have hoped and Portsmouth displayed much commitment and determination and were proving difficult opponents.  With no goals after ninety minutes the match went to extra time and looked to be heading for a penalty decider when the highly criticised Wembley turf played a crucial role in proceedings.  Unfortunately, it was Michael Dawson who was to suffer as he slipped at a vital moment when he was about to clear the ball in the centre of the penalty area.  The ball fell invitingly for Portsmouth who accepted the gift and went on to secure a two goal victory.  Once again Dawson was left to rue his Wembley experience.

August, 2010 - England Debut 

After enduring a long summer in South Africa, without getting a game at the World Cup, Michael Dawson finally made his long awaited England debut.  Having appeared in a number of England squads, Fabio Capello gave Dawson his first full cap as a second half substitute for John Terry in the friendly against Hungary.  In the early moments of the half Dawson looked nervous but with the game goal-less he was settling into the match when he moved to intercept a through ball but missed it allowing Hungary to progress into the penalty area.  As the England defence covered the attack, Dawson recovered to try to make amends and when a deflected shot came across the goal, Dawson stretched to clear and prevented it from crossing the line.  It was a close call but then the French referee's assistant decreed that the ball had in fact crossed the line and a goal was awarded.  Television evidence shows that the ball didn't fully cross the line but Dawson had made the initial mistake which had allowed Hungary to create the goal scoring opportunity. Of course, he was wearing the England shirt with number '13'.  Fortunately, as it was a friendly international and as England recovered to win the game, the press didn't make too big an issue of Dawson's blunder on his debut and hopefully he will have the chance to add to his international appearances in the future and avoid being a 'one-cap wonder'.

A great former Spurs stalwart, Gary Mabbutt, endured Wembley heartache before being able to enjoy the sweet taste of success at the stadium.  Mabbutt had appeared at the ground on a number of occasions both for Spurs and England - he actually made his Spurs debut in the 1982 Charity Shield defeat by Liverpool.  Howver, his greatest disappointment will have been the memory of the own goal which enabled Coventry City to wn the FA Cup in 1987.  In extra time a cross came into the Spurs area, the ball hit Mabbutt on the knee and looped over the reach of Ray Clemence.  Spurs had been clear favourites and it was the first occasion that Spurs had suffered defeat in an FA Cup final.  David Pleat's team had come so close to success in all three competitions but in the end had fallen at the final hurdle.  It was not until 1991 that Mabbutt avenged this disappointment when he held aloft the FA Cup as captain of the victorious Spurs side who had overcome many difficulties both on and off the pitch to secure their trophy and possibly the very existence of the club.  Ironically, it was as Mabbutt challenged for the ball from a corner that Des Walker headed into his own goal to put Spurs ahead.

Hopefully, in the not too distant future Michael Dawson will be able to set aside his Wembley disappointments and have some exciting memories to tell his grandchildren in the years to come.

Spurs in History - 10th August

10th August, 1991

Arsenal 0 Spurs 0 F.A.Charity Shield (Wembley)

The Champions against the FA Cup winners at the venue of the previous season’s amazing Cup semi-final. Gazza was missing but Spurs used the same tactics that had been successful in the semi-final.

Gary Lineker was the lone striker with five in midfield but the match failed to reach the level of the previous meeting. This was the first time that the clubs had met in the Charity Shield and with no penalties to decide an outright winner, both clubs shared the trophy.