 In the summer of 1995 whilst everyone else was sunning themselves on the beach Tottenham took part in UEFA’s Intertoto competition. Tottenham agreed to take part against its better judgement in a good will gesture which ended when we were banned from European competition. Less than 13,000 people in total saw the clubs four games, and half of them were at one game. As players from St Mirren and Barnet were amongst those wearing out colours. While UEFA proved a written agreement isn't worth the paper its written on.
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 The international break seems the right time to explore some more connections between Tottenham and the England team. The same disclaimer which covered ‘England…1’ still applies, which is worth catching up with if you haven’t all ready read same. This time we reveal which six English internationals were born in India and which of our internationals also umpired a cricket test match against India, As well as that we find out the penalty takers, some of the youngest, oldest, shortest and tallest. The games at the Lane, the England bad boy and one player who nearly played for his country. This was written before this weeks internationals.  This week we go to see 'Tottenham Toy Story 2' and look at some of the fun things that will help us get through a footie free weekend. I pretend to be Mr Grumpy while you go to the beach and enjoy a drink in the ad break. Then we discover the actual mug shots of a former international center forward who played for Spurs and was found guilty of murder. Wow I cant wait, lets Talk Tottenham.  Walter Tull was a talented forward who only played a handful of games for Tottenham but he holds a special place in the history of the club and English football. He died ninety seven years ago this week (March 25th). He was killed instantly by a shot to the head whilst leading his men forward while serving on the Western front during World War 1. We reflect upon the short life of this extraordinary man, the grandson of a slave and explore some of the myths that have grown up around him. The first myth is that there are only two photos of the man. I think this article debunks that one.
Walter was the grandson of a West Indian slave. His father had come to England in 1876 to work as a carpenter and lived in Folkstone in Kent. He married a local girl and the couple had six children, with Walter being born in 1888. He was seven years old when his mother died, his father remarried a year later and they had another child. Within a year his father also died. His widow unable to cope sent the two youngest boys Edward and Walter to a children's home / orphanage in Bethnal green only a few miles from Tottenham.  This series tries to look at every aspect of Tottenham Hotspur and this time its a look at how the outside world has viewed the club over the years through the eyes of the cartoonist. All these examples are from the UK press. They come from over a hundred years ago right up to recent events and show how the role of the cartoonist has changed in that time. The cartoonist can make us laugh at the world or at ourselves, and he can make us think. The best can do both at the same time.
 When describing the Double winning team Danny Blanchflower is often known as the brains (1), Dave Mackay the heart but it was Cliff Jones who earned the title the entertainer. One of my own first terrace heroes. The Welsh wing wizard joined Tottenham in February 1958. He would go on to play in 378 games for the club scoring 159 goals. Rather a remarkable figure when you consider he was signed primarily a winger. A total that places him fourth in the club’s all-time list of goal scorers.  The week finished on a high after a good performance and win over Swansea. This after the disappointment of going out of two cup competitions. As well as the sad news that emerged during the last few days. I do have one unique story for you as a remembrance. Then its that trip to the Tottenham Toy Show we promised you. There is a look forward to this weekend and there is a small spooky in there. Above all else the future is looking Lilywhite.
 After the intensity of the 'Roaring 20’s' series and recent Cup matches, not to mention the sad news out of the club this week for this trip down into the vaults I thought it might be an idea to look back at a slightly lighter passage in the clubs history and the club’s crest. Tottenham like most clubs had their own crest. Whilst the clubs embraced their various crests they were rarely seen on the match day shirt in their early days. They would need to be added by hand and this became a slow and expensive task especially when the shirt was torn or the colours faded with repeated washing.
Tottenham did not wear a ‘club badge’ until the 1921 FA Cup Final and then the 1921/22 season (2) and even then it was the cockerel. The cockerel has appeared in various forms most seasons since then. The crest only appeared on the shirt for a short while in the late 1990’s and even then that was partly to prevent cheap ‘rip-off’ versions of replica shirts. |
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Flying Down to Rio History of T.H.F.C. Tribute to Bill Nicholson Talking Tottenham Early Legends The Road to Turin International Connections Hotspur Towers Most Read Articles
The 100 Year War Interview with Marina Sirtis A Long Dark Shadow By Royal Appointment School Report: An Insight into the Younger Eric Dier Dear Jimmy All Change At Spurs Hotspur Towers History Of THFC: Part 1 Passage to India: Rohan Rickets Thanks For The Memories Our Tommy Carroll The AVB Files: Part1 The Lilywhites You The Jury The Hand Of Hugo Connection - Argentina Creating a Reputation One Hotspur Flying Down To Rio Archives
January 2018
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