Spurs in History - 1st June

1st June, 1959

Dynamo Kiev 1 Spurs 2 (Friendly)

Spurs undertook a three match tour of the USSR during the close season. It was their first visit to the country and in ‘The Double’ by Ken Ferris, this Russian tour is identified as the time when Spurs ‘began to lay the foundations of a great side’.

Both Nicholson and Blanchflower began to realise that there was the makings of a great team. Many of the players were already at the club and with a few more signings and a little tinkering, the great team of the early sixties would appear.

Two goals from Johnny Brooks gave Spurs their second victory of the tour and weariness from the excessive travel contributed to their defeat in the final game, three days later.

The tour was a great success, bringing the players closer together and Dave Mackay is quoted as saying, ‘…I shall always believe we laid the foundations of the team-spirit and genuine friendship which has since played a notable part in the success of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.’ Other players, Cliff Jones and Ron Henry support that view with similar comments, ‘That’s where we saw the first signs,’ (Jones) and ‘It all came together in Russia.’ (Henry)

Spurs in History - 12th March

12th March, 1957
Spurs 4 Bolton Wanderers 1 1st Division

Spurs had started the season poorly, losing heavily in many of the early games. However, from late October their form had improved and inspired by Bobby Smith’s goal scoring they were making progress in the league.

This game showed Smith’s importance to the team as he completed his third hat-trick of the season, giving him seven goals in his last three League games. The other Spurs goal came from Johnny Brooks.

Spurs eventually finished 3rd in the League, something that would have seemed impossible given the early season results.

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