Tottenham Legends

The term 'Legend' is sometimes used very loosely and generously where former players are concerned but these three are true Tottenham Hotspur 'Legends' who served the club loyally over many years and enjoyed great success during their time at White Hart Lane.

Dave Mackay

Yesterday, the official Tottenham Hotspur site reported that Dave Mackay had been taken into hospital in Nottingham on Saturday with a chest infection.  Every Spurs fan will wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he will soon be home again.

Signed from Hearts in 1958, Mackay became a vital member of the 1960s Double winning team.  He also played in the 1962 FA Cup Final but missed out in the ECWC Final through injury.  After twice recovering from breaking his leg, he captained the 1967 FA Cup winning team.  He made 268 League appearances for Spurs.


Up-date (16th June):

(from the Official Site) 

The Club is pleased to report that our legendary former midfielder Dave Mackay has now left hospital.

The double-winner who made over 300 appearances for us between 1958-68 and lifted the FA Cup as captain in 1967 was admitted to hospital in Nottingham last weekend with a chest infection.

We send our best wishes to Dave and his family.
Steve Perryman

There is good news that Steve Perryman has been released from hospital and is making a steady recovery following his heart surgery at the beginning of May.  It's good to know that he is making progress and  everyone would once again want to wish Steve a continued speedy recovery.

Steve holds the record for appearances for the club from his debut in 1969 to his departure in 1986.  He won the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup in the 1970s and then captained the FA Cup winning team in 1981 and 1982.  He was part of the UEFA Cup winning team in 1984 but missed out in the final due to suspension.  He later returned to White Hart Lane as assistant manager to Ossie Ardiles.

Pat Jennings

On this day, 12th June, 1945 the greatest ever Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper was born in Newry, Northern Ireland.  Signed from Watford in 1964, Jennings made 472 League appearances for the club and won the FA Cup in 1967, the League Cup in 1971 and 1973 and the 1972 UEFA Cup.

Happy 67th Birthday, Pat and we wish you many more.

Jennings Signed from Watford: here

Pat Jennings to be Honoured by UEFA: here

Spurs Legend - Bill Brown

Bill Brown (Goalkeeper) [1959 - 1967]

League App. 222

FA Cup 23

Europe 17

Scottish Int. App. 28

Bill Brown

For over thirty years, three goalkeepers dominated the goalkeeper's postion at Tottenham.  Ted Ditchburn was in possession from the post-war period until the late 1950s.  His successor was Bill Brown from 1959 and he was succeeded by Pat Jennings who held the position until 1976.

All three are worthy of the name 'great' but Bill Brown was present during the club's most successful period.  During those three years from 1960 to 1963, Bill Brown was rarely missing as Spurs won 'The Double' in 1960-61, retained the FA Cup in 1962 and also reached the semi-final of the European Cup and won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

Bill Brown was signed by Bill Nicholson in 1959 from Dundee as part of his re-building programme.  He had already won four Scottish caps, having had to wait as a reserve for Scotland on 22 occasions before finally making an appearance in June, 1958 in Scotland's last game of the World Cup against France.

Brown had joined Dundee in 1949 and helped them to victory in the Scottish League Cup Final in 1952.

Bill Brown was a very consistent goalkeeper and his calm presence was of great support to his defenders and he was an importsant member of the 'double' winning team.  He also proved his worth in Spurs' European matches.

During his final two years at Tottenham he shared the goalkeeping responsibilities with Pat Jennings and then in season 1966-67 when Bill Nicholson gave Jennings the opportunity to establish himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper, Bill Brown was transferred to Northampton Town for a nominal fee in recognition of his loyal service.

Brown remained at Northampton for the rest of the season and then went to Canada where he played for Toronto Falcons before settling in the country and setting up in business.

Bill Brown passed away in December, 2004 but will always be remembered as an outstanding goalkeeper who played a prominent part in Spurs' history.

8th March - Spurs in History

1961
Spurs 5 Sunderland 0 FA Cup 6th Round Replay

After the difficulties in the first game Spurs made sure in the replay at White Hart Lane.  Sunderland, in the 2nd Division, had made Spurs work hard the previous Saturday, but Spurs had little difficulty with the goals being scored by Dave Mackay, Bobby Smith, Les Allen and Terry Dyson (2) as they took another step towards that elusive 'Double'.

Next in the Semi-finals would be a massive game against the League Champions - Burnley, how times have changed.

1986
Spurs 5 WBA 0 1st Division

Gary Mabbutt, Mark Falco(2), Tony Galvin, Chris Waddle scored the goals.  January and February had been lean months for Spurs and they had just lost at home to Everton in the FA Cup, the previous weekend - 6 League games - no goals for and only 1 point - so this scoreline was a relief to the long suffering fans.

However, Peter Shreeve's tenure as manager was under threat.  The pressure of that losing sequence hadn't done him any favours and in spite of closing the season on a winning streak - losing once between this day and the end of season (recording 7 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat) the team could only manage 10th position and he was sacked, to be replaced by David Pleat, the manager of Luton Town.

4th March - Spurs in History

Sunderland 0 Spurs 4 Premier League

Steffan Iversen Hat-trick

Spurs' season under Gerry Francis was inconsistent and mediocre. Out of the Cup, they hadn't won since a home win over Blackburn at the end of January and were slipping towards the relegation zone.  However, Steffan Iversen had his moment and helped Spurs to an easy win with three goals. The other goal came from Allan Neilsen.

Probably not the highlight of his time at Spurs, that being reserved for his goal in the Semi -Final win over Wimbledon and his assist in the Final of Worthington Cup in 1999, but one of his better moments.

This result helped ease the relegation fears and set the team on a run of five games with only one defeat. The final weeks of the season were poor, taking only 4 points from the last six games but they somehow managed to finish 10th.

Not a great day for Spurs:
1961 - Sunderland 1 Spurs 1 FA Cup 6th Round
Spurs' quest for the 'Double' nearly came to grief in this game at Roker Park as Sunderland tested Spurs to the limit.  Sunderland were in the 2nd Division and the atmosphere at Roker Park was extraordinary.  Cliff Jones gave Spurs the lead after nine minutes with a header from a partially cleared corner.   The rest of the half was tranquil but Smith hit the post just before halftime.

In the second half, however, Sunderland were transformed and forced Spurs to defend.  The 61,236 crowd awoke and roared their team to an equaliser.  Weaker teams would have succumbed but Blanchflower galvanized the team which held out for the replay.

The replay at White Hart Lane, four days later, went according to script with Spurs winning by 5 - 0, Les Allen, Bobby Smith, Terry Dyson (2), Dave Mackay provided the goals.

1987 - Spurs 1 Arsenal 2 LC Semi-final Replay - losing at home to Arsenal in last moments of the game, the only time they were ahead over the three games.  Disappointment for Clive Allen who had scored the three goals Spurs managed in the three semi-final matches.

1992 - Feyenoord 1 Spurs 0 ECWC 3rd Round 1st Leg
A mistake from Paul Allen gave Feyenoord the advantage in this tie.  Former Spur, Johnny Metgod organised the home defence to deny Spurs any scoring opportunities and managed to do the same in the secong leg at White Hart Lane.   Spurs European adventure was over once more.