 This time in our trip back through the archives we look at a man who died 16 years today, (28th April) Alf Ramsey. Alf was one of the cornerstones of the 1950’s side that won back to back Second and First division titles. One of the best right backs in our history. Who will best be remembered as the manager of the England team who he led to their 1966 World Cup victory. Alf joined Spurs in April 1949. The fee was £21,000 which was then a record for a full back He would make his debut the following August in a 4-1 win away to Brentford. Alfred Ernest Ramsey was born in Dagenham the son of a grocer and played for the local school sides. He signed amateur forms for Portsmouth but never played for them. When he was serving in the Army he played for his unit against Southampton reserves. Who signed him as a professional.
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 With two England internationals in the coming week lets look at the next set of England connections with Tottenham. We discover which clubs players have scored the most goals for the country. There is the managerial links between Spurs and the England hot seat. We wonder when is an international not an international and why do players win ‘caps‘. There is also some assorted connections to round things off.  This week we have another look back at Tottenham programmes over the years. In a previous article (1) we looked at a variety of programmes from different periods. This time around I thought I'd concentrate on some of the older ones. Simply as they are so individual. Tottenham’s first programme appeared at a game played on the old Northumberland Park ground on 28th October 1893 and is featured in the earlier article (1) The first programmes for any teams first appeared around the late 1880’s and were just a single sheet comprising a lineup. Aston Villa are generally thought to be one of the first clubs to enlarge this to include other news. Although it would be a long time until they become the 100 page booklets that are used today. This top image is the traditional pre-season trial game between the first team and reserves this time from 1933. The players (here the whites V the Stripes) are seen sending cricket players from the field. Whilst in the background you can see the cockerel on the roof.  Willie Hall is best remembered for scoring five goals in one game for England including the then fastest international hat trick and still the fastest one for England, (1). He was the first player to do it since 1896 and is still one of only four players to do so. A skilful inside forward he was known for being versatile, indeed his last games were actually at full back. One account claims he ‘had an easy dribbling ability and passing perfection.’ George William Hall, after winning schoolboy international honours signed for Nottingham County from his local works team. Willie moved to Tottenham in December 1932 for £2,600 plus another £500 when he made his England debut.  In Part 1 we looked at women's football's first steps. In this the second part we discover what happened next. How the game took hold during the early part of the last century and finally why it was banned. After those first games in North London the British Ladies next game was on 6th April 1895 they played a game in Brighton to raise funds for local medical charities. Then it was up to the North West and a game at Bury. Over 5,000 turned up to watch the game.  Peter Baker one of the unsung heroes of the Double side who went about his job in a quiet unassuming manner. Playing at right back he formed a good combination with Maurice Norman at center half and Ron Henry on the left to defend Bill Brown in goal. His talent was often overlooked and he tended toward the methodical rather than the mercurial. One of the players that every team needs. He simply did his job. Peter was born in Hampstead in North London in 1931 and was capped at Youth level. He played for Enfield before signing for Spurs as an amateur in 1949 and turning professional in 1952. His debut came towards the end of that season at Sunderland in a 1-1 draw when he stepped in for Alf Ramsey.  This week Talking Tottenham celebrates a real milestone! (or possible that should read millstone). As well as going behind the wire to win a cup final, we look forward to the weekend and back in the advertising break. We also ask ‘Is that the right question?’ Whilst the Undercover Reporter is back with yet another scoop.
Its not all totally serious as we delve into the world of Hotspur and what better way to start your weekend. Yes ! Its party time. We can now reveal that in the last week we saw the 250th article published (or possible escaped) on India Spurs by my good self. Good grief how you people have suffered. OK at times it was a little like the Europa League. Never mind the quality look at the quantity. So some of them were not wonderful. Sorry what was that ? about 243 at the last count, Oh very Oscar Wilde thank you. So come on we have a party to go to and lets talk Tottenham.  We take another look back at the history of the club and its White Hart Lane home. This time its a story of how we nearly left the Lane behind 38 years ago to set up home with the neighbours in London's "super stadium". Why we didn't and how the West Stand changed because of it. In late 1977 Tottenham and Arsenal had serious discussions about ground sharing a new ‘super’ stadium. At the same time there were some serious concerns over the future of Wembley stadium. A few miles from the clubs two grounds stood Alexandria Palace the answer to everyone's problems.  After recent events, by the time you read this the Club should of completed the final legal process's and now be in a position to move forward with developing White Hart Lane. This Hotspur Towers was prepared sometime ago and as you take your trip around the Lane I will be in North London taking my own tour. I'll pass on my thoughts upon my return. In previous editions of HT we tended to have an element of a mixed selection. This time along with various stories and events I thought I'd concentrate on the West Stand. Especially after the events revealed in HT46. We start in front of the old stand, this is from 1978.  Football is a team game and forwards would not score goals without the support and service of the men behind them. Forwards however do seem to grab the headlines and often the affections of the terraces.
Over the years Sixteen players (1) have scored a century of goals for Tottenham in the various top flight competitions to gain admission to the “100 Club.” For these purposes that’s the Football and Premier Leagues, the FA and League Cups and 'major' European competitions.
 Did you realise that the connection between Tottenham Hotspur and women’s football dates back to 1895?
With the Women’s World Cup about to take place and our ladies side doing so well. I thought we might take a look back at how the female game has grown since its earlier years and some of the problems they encountered. The story told over two parts starts with why women should be given free admission to games and advice to young men on how to choose a bride. There’s an eleven year old superstar, how to behave in church and a future Prime Minister. There is the question of is it healthy for young women to play the sport. Finally we discovered why it was banned.  We previously looked at the badge and how it developed over the decades (1). Alongside this we featured some of the earlier kits that the club had used. This took us up to the mid 1960’s. Before we move on to the next stage of the kits development it might be interesting to go back and look at some of the change / away kits from our past. Up to the same date.
We can surmise that the club would of changed kit to avoid clashes at various times. The first away / change kit I can find a mention of appears to be when we worn what was a chocolate/brown strip with long blue shorts that date back to 1899-1900 (fig 1). |
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January 2018
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