When he was a lad Bert’s father made him learn to swim saying one day it might save a life, he was wrong…. It saved two.

Bert may not be one of the first names recalled when thinking of our past players but his story should never to be forgotten.  

Unbeknown to everyone including, Bill Nicholson, Bobby Smith was carrying an injury before the FA Cup Final in 1961. The week before in the final League match at home to West Bromwich Bobby had headed home his 28th goal of the season. Then later in the game he twisted his knee.
At that time it was painful but he wasn’t too concerned. That was too change.

Left - Rounding Gordan Banks in the Cup Final '61

Like everyone else I was stunned to hear of the sudden passing of Ugo yesterday. I remember him as a solid giant of a defender for Aston Villa and went I learnt he was a Spurs supporter I did hope he would join us when he left them. That was not to be as he moved to Middlesborough, he did however join the club’s coaching staff in 2014.

The Tottenham Mysteries where we look at stories that don't seem complete or the various accounts don't tally. This time, a much lighter tale than the last mystery, as we wonder about the origins of the design for our own cockerel.
Over the years it has even been suggested that it may even have  'hatched' in America.
We look at the rumours and what evidence we could uncover.

Having been carried shoulder high from the field by their large traveling support the players made their way back to Tottenham where as they stepped down from the train they were met by the Tottenham Town Band and more excited supporters who serenaded their heroes return to the ground. In their first season in their new home and John Cameron’s first full season as player / manager Tottenham had won their first major trophy.

Looking back at one of the best left backs to play for Spurs,  Cyril Knowles, he joined us from Middlesborough in May 1964 having played just 39 games for them.

He would go on to be an England international and be part of the team that won four major trophies as well as being immortalised by a TV advert and pop song. He won four major trophies with Spurs and is fondly remembered by all who saw him play.

Once upon a time games were recorded by reporters using language to paint a word picture for the reader who would then reenact the game in his mind. I know a number of readers have enjoyed my dips into the newspaper accounts of past events in various articles so I’ve drawn together a few stories that have surfaced during my research. I hope you will find them interesting, informative or just amusing. So if you could forget the sound bite a moment and turn to the back page.

Let us never forget.  On 11th April 1981 Tottenham met Wolves in the FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday, which was regularly used for big games. It is my intention to mark the event without comment. The Tottenham fans had been allocated the (smaller) Leppings Lane end despite having a larger average gate than the Wolves. 

Another collection of Spurs related pictures from across the years that deserve another airing.

We start with one of the best keepers every to play for Spurs and Hugo Lloris demonstrates his ability to fly.

Having secured the League title and the first half of the Double Spurs had three games left before the FA Cup final but first it was just  48 hours later that Wales were in action at home to Spain in a World Cup game, a 1-2 defeat, with Medwin and Hopkins in the side. Jones missed the game due to the injury picked on the Monday, but he still drove Terry Medwin to Cardiff for the game.

The final month of the League season started with Preston (the first team ever to do the Double) arriving at the Lane on All-Fools day just twenty four hours after the Chelsea game. John White scored in just the second minute from an Allen pass with a 25 yard shot that went under the goalies body. Preston who had had one of the meanest defences in the league found themselves four down at half time. The next goal, was the 100th of the year and it was one worthy of the fact.