Planet Spurs - 4

Planet Spurs is where we try and round up some of those lovely snippets from the various parts of the rich tapestry that is the clubs history that might otherwise slip past you but deserve to be remembered. They are drawn from across the years in no order other than how they are rescued from the files.  As well as a few pics I hope your like from the now and then.

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Starting this edition with our game with Swansea in December 1932 which saw us win 7-0. The seventh came from a penalty; the first shot was saved but the ref ordered a retake for infringement. The second kick and as Willie Evans runs up he is tripped by a Swansea player. This leads to a lengthy delay as the two sides ‘discuss the issue’ and then at the third attempt Evans scores. There is another delay whilst the players ‘debate’ events which leads to one of their players being sent off. The scorers that day were Greenfield 2, Hunt 2, Evans 2 and O’Callaghan 1. This leaves Spurs 2nd in table having scored 51 goals in just 17 games.

I recently reported the story of Gascoigne being booked for ‘red carding' the ref.

This tale has some similarities to a story Taffy O’Callaghan (right) told.

‘It was during a game at Huddersfield, I noticed the ball had gone down I picked it up to show the ref. He sent for a new ball and then gave a free kick against me for hands.’

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I was asked if I could include some team pictures. This edition a more traditional picture it’s before the game with Dukla Prague in the snowy spring of 1962 in the European Cup.

Gary Mabbutt tells some tales about how diabetes has affected his career. One is when he was first diagnosed the hospital suggested he  carry some sugar lumps in a pocket in his shorts. When he said that wouldn't work they asked well could the ref have a couple on him in case.

Left Gary scores for England V Yugoslavia.

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We also mentioned Robert Hewitt (and the cycling acrobat) so this time I thought I’d include the story of Charles Hewitt (no relation) who also came from the North East. At the end of the 1905/6 season Borough offered him a new contract but he declined to sign, the dispute ended when the club suspended him. ‘The iron people had offered him the maximum wage, and therefore appealed to the FA in order the he should be forced to assist them.’

Eventually he signed for Spurs in May 1906 for £400.  Then before he had played a game for Spurs he learnt that Liverpool wanted to sign him. Hewitt asked to be released from his contract but Spurs declined.  One account describes him as ‘a man of many words, sometimes abrasive, he was forthright in his manner and approach.’ A bitter argument followed and the at one point he asked the FA if he could return to Middlesborough. The FA however ruled that he must wear ‘Spurs colours next season.’ He went on to score 12 goals in 43 games that year but made it clear he would leave the following summer, (at that time contracts were usually only for one year.)  At that time he did join Liverpool but only remained with them for one season. Quotes from Liverpool Daily Post: June 16, 1906

Left - London V Newcastle schoolboys 1914 @ WHL.

A quick tale to finish. When Spurs ‘toured’ Denmark in 1951 the team flew except for Les Bennett who is afraid of flying so he went by ferry across the North Sea and was violently sick the whole way.

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COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
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