Talking Tottenham is a different way of looking at everything in the World of Hotspur that use to regularly appear every Friday. It’s time to pull back the curtains and shed some light on some of the bits that enlightened our weekends as we waited for game time, brought together here for posterity.

One series that we ran was a look at when the lads where in fact lads if you following my drift. Also in this latest gathering of ‘the best’ we remember the ‘Wisdom of Jermain.’  Not to worry we will slip in a enough trivia, stats and stuff from the olde curiosity box  to boggle you through your coffee break but not always in the a totally serious manner.

The third set of this popular series came to an end this week.  It’s where we take a look back at various images from across the years that deserve another outing rather than the usual suspects that are scattered across endless media sites.

This time around we had a loose theme of bad weather. This top image shows the lads being prepared back in November 1938 as we find Fred Sargent, Willie Hall and Vic Buckingham taking their Flu gaggles.

One of the greats in Tottenham’s recent history. Loved by the fans for his whole hearted commitment to the cause. A hardworking player with non-stop running and an accurate passing ability. He was skillful and always looked composed. His ability to play in a number of positions whilst a great asset to the club may have hindered his international career but he is a true legend of White Hart Lane. Here are a few points about Gary Vincent Mabbutt you might not be aware of.

His dad was a professional with Gary’s own first club Bristol Rovers whilst his brother started his career with local rivals City. When Gary was first diagnosed with Diabetes the doctors suggested he carry sugar lumps in a pocket in his shorts when he said that wouldn’t work then they came up with maybe the referee could carry some for you!

Going into the 1958/59 season Anderson had done well with two high placed finishes but Tottenham still could not be classed as a great team. At times they could be excellent but at others like too many of the players they struggled to find their form. The defence carried an air of uncertainly. The Blanchflower / Harmer midfield combination had worked well but there was a feeling that the forwards were not responding as well as they could. Anderson had worked hard to resolve these issues but the strain was telling on him. Lets not forget he was in his sixties when he took over as manager.

In this section we review the next two seasons which produced a second and third place finish. Jimmy Anderson’s second full season in charge saw the team get off to a much better start. The season dawned with a 4-1 win at Preston. Terry Medwin on his debut scoring twice and Johnny Brooks the other two. Seven points (2 for a win) arriving in four games. This was followed by a six wins in a row during September and October. After 16 games we had 15 points and had racked up 48 goals. This was then followed by a draw at the Champions Manchester United. On Christmas Day the team beat Everton 6-0 at home.

When Arthur Rowe resigned as manager due to ill health in the spring of 1955 he was replaced by his assistant Jimmy Anderson. He has divided Spurs fans over the years much as more recent managers have. Following Rowe and being succeeded by Bill Nicholson, history hasn’t been too kind to Jimmy. He did however in three complete seasons in charge finish second and third in the league and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. He also helped the transformation of the club between the two Championship winning seasons and brought a number of the Double side to the club. Jimmy had already completed forty six years at the club when he took over as manager having joined Tottenham even before the club entered the Football League.
Anderson left with Arthur Rowe.

In this set of Connections we discover which Tottenham men have led the national side and every aspect of their performances including uncovering more records held by Tottenham men.
We include the youngest and the oldest Tottenham players to feature for England. There are the debutants and the players with the shortest international careers.
We remember the old Under 23 internationals and discover the Tottenham links at manager and player level as well when the international side came to White Hart Lane.

The Almanac turns back to November again as we look at some more events, games and characters that helped shape our club over the years.


 

The Fifth of November in the United Kingdom is known as Fireworks Night for reasons that are unimportant here. While we wait for kick off I wondered if you would be interested in checking out what fireworks Spurs have produced over the years on this date. I’m sure we can find a few crackers !

In chronological order we start by going back to when the club had just celebrated its tenth birthday.

As the club play host again to Anderlecht in European competition the story of the 1984 victory will be retold many times during the week. We take this opportunity to look at one of the great heroes of that victory. Over the years Tottenham has had many legends who have written their names in to the Club’s folklore. The majority of these legends have come after long distinguished careers.

A few manage to inscribe themselves into history with a single act. Tony Parks is certainly one of that small band. His glorious night came on the 23rd May 1984.

Scotland has provided more players for Tottenham than any other country outside England and a bountiful set of connections. In the last of the series we remember the third, and last time we met a Scottish club in European action. We also look back more than a century to only the second time we ever met a Scottish club and our manager was one of their old boys. We then remember John Duncan (left) from the seventies and a few of the first Scots to feature for the Spurs. 

The third and latest time we met Scottish opposition in Europe was as recently as 2011/12. Having previously overcome Glasgow Rangers (1) and Aberdeen (2). We were drawn away to Hearts in the play-off round of the Europa League.