Spurs in History - 21st August

21st August, 1982

Liverpool 1 Spurs 0 F.A.Charity Shield at Wembley.

Newly signed from Bristol Rovers, Gary Mabbutt made his debut in Spurs midfield. Spurs were without influential players like Steve Perryman and Graham Roberts with Paul Price also unavailable through injury.

The game was a robust affair and many competitive tackles came in from both sides – this may have been something left over from the previous season’s Milk Cup Final when Liverpool set about unsettling Spurs early on in the game which left Tony Galvin to play most of the game bearing the pains of some hefty tackles which greatly reduced his effectiveness.

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 - 19th October

19th October, 2006

Besiktas (Turkey) 0 Spurs 2 (UEFA Cup - Group Stages)

Scorers: Ghaly, Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov

Spurs produced their best performance of the season in what had been regarded as a tricky UEFA Cup group game in Turkey.  A goal in each half saw Spurs win comfortably and in the latter stages if they had taken their chances, the win could have been even more convincing.  Spurs settled quickly and went ahead after 31 minutes when Hossam Ghaly was put through by Berbatov with only the goalkeeper to beat.  He delayed his shot and the goalkeeper blocked it but the ball rebounded onto Ghaly and into the net.  It was his first goal for Spurs and gave them a deserved half-time lead.

At the start of the second half the home team increased the pressure but with Michael Dawson and Ledley King comfortable in central defence and the midfield players working tirelessly, Spurs maintained control and after 63 minutes Dimitar Berbatov showed why Spurs paid the £11 million transfer fee for him.  Put through from a pass by Robbie Keane, he took on the defender and went round the goalkeeper and with defenders covering coolly scored Spurs second to secure victory.

A more convincing win could have been achieved if Spurs had taken all their chances.  Berbatov again pressured the defender and set up Keane who hit the bar, later Keane blazed over when through on goal and Jermain Defoe shot wide with his first touch in the final moments.

Jermaine Jenas worked tirelessly, covering acres of ground, Berbatov showed his class and Dawson and King controlled the defence.  Paul Robinson showed his class with comfortable saves and a great double save from a free kick late in the first half.

A very pleasing performance and result with Spurs top of the group and looking forward to more European success.

19th October, 1983

Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 (UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

Scorers: Galvin (2), Archibald (2)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest.  It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals.  He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald.  Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin.  Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass.

In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

Team:

Clemence, Hughton, Galvin, Roberts, Stevens, Perryman, Mabbutt, Archibald, Falco, Hoddle, Brooke (Crook). Att. 35,404