Talking Tottenham 59

In this weeks exciting edition of Talking Tottenham we delve into the world of Football Figurines as we have another theme type special. Also for your delight as we build towards the big game at the weekend we have compiled another collection of quotes that you might enjoy.  You will find the ad break refreshing and we have another scoop from our undercover reporter.
Then there is a quick look at the City match and what the finale of the season holds. A late arrival at the party this week means a quick reshuffle when a reader’s question inspires a quick quiz.

Gosh your not totally serious look at the world of Hotspur is really going interactive this week. So like Spurs at the weekend lets get off to a flying start and lets talk Tottenham.

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I will be the first to say I know little about footie figurines and to be honest the thought of waking up and finding Luis Surez watching me does little to encourage the hobby but has increased the sale of garlic. That aside I’ve scattered throughout this weeks edition a number of our heroes (past and present)  here at Tottenham for your weekends entertainment.  That top image was Dembele. This next one is Christian Ericksen.

Last Tuesday’s Hotspur Towers look at Alf Ramsey promoted interesting comments and conversation. Thanks very much for joining in. In fact I’ve turned one of the comments into question for you. There are 14 players who featured for Spurs in the English Hall of Fame. Bear in mind this was for their careers and not just what they did at Tottenham.  How many can you name ?  Answers at the end. Next week is the 50th trip down to the archives. So I’ve picked a subject that I hope you will agree is fitting the occasion and one you wont want to miss. As for next weekends Talking Tottenham, at he moment it does have a slight timy wimy feel to it.

Next off the production line (below) is Christian's old Ajax team mate, Jan Vertonghen.

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Another collection of quotes is long overdue so I’ve tried to find a few that are not so well known and I hope your enjoy.  First up is something Bill Nicholson said when he resigned in 1974.
“Success in soccer comes in cycles, it cant go on forever. You must have experienced players to win things but the problem is that they grow old together.”

Steve Perryman from 1981, “ Wherever Spurs play whether its Manchester, Malta or Mauritius were famous. Soccer is about big clubs and star names, but most of all its about people.You can be playing for the biggest club in the world with the biggest stars in the game but if you don’t enjoy it , if you don’t get on with the people around you your wasting your time I enjoy Spurs because at the club everyone from the humblest backroom boy to the highest paid player, is treated with respect. They all equally important to our success that’s what makes Tottenham Hotspur a great football club.”

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Next up is Erik Lamela.  And talking about the Argentine when Spurs signed Ardiles and Villa, Keith James wrote in the Daily Mail “If Spurs had signed Batman and Robin they could scarcely have created greater curiosity.” 
It was Ricki, who was known as a joker, who said when asked about the tactical advice given to him by Keith Burkenshaw at Spurs and the Argentinean World Cup winning manager Ceasar Menotti “ It is the same in both countries. The only difference is that in Argentina I understand them.”

Once when he was out injured Alan Gilzean is reported as saying to the lads before a game  "You'd better win this one lads I need the bonus. I've got a wife, two kids and a budgie to keep."

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How about this one for those of you who think money is ruining the game. "not more than six professional clubs were solvent. If only six of the leading clubs can make it pay on a really lucrative scale, what is to become of the game?"  This was written in an article entitled "Football Finance."  In case you are wondering why you missed it, it was written over a hundred years ago by J. J. Bentley, who became the President of the Football League. So stop blaming Sky Sports.

As you can see from this weeks advert, Tottenham or Swansea Pompey or Crewe you don't need a ref to tell you its Guinness time.
Right - Kyle Walker

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With this season showing the fruits of the labour put in by our coaching staff at the academy this thought from Bill Nicholson is fitting. “Really a club should put its best coach with its youngest players. That’s when you can teach them the right habits and mold the way they play for the rest of their careers If they still have their bad habits at 23 its very much harder to do anything about it.”

Jimmy Greaves recently talking about his forthcoming entrance to the THFC Hall of Fame. “It is going to be a proud and emotional night for me. My days at Spurs were the summertime of my life.” 

Sir Walter Scott wrote “Then strip, lads! and to it though sharp be the weather, And if by mischance you should happen to fall. There are worse things in life than a tumble in heather, And life is itself but a game of football.”
Scott died in September 1832, fifty years before Spurs were formed.  So maybe he knew something.

And now its quiz time ! – normally I ask a question and give you the answers at the end. This time just so I know how many of you take part and if its worth trying again I want you to put the answers in the comments or on FB or send to me, then I’ll tell you answers next week. I know the suspense is killing but to be honest sometimes you do struggle to overcome your shyness and take part in these things. So here we go. Can you name these three heroes? 

Player 1 - Right who is this player, and there is a clue so see how good I'm to you. Remember I don't design these things I just ask the questions.
Below - Spurs Player number 2 ?

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Little surprised that nobody wanted to challenge (or even agree) with the thought that April 27th is the most important day in our history from last week.  Gosh I must of made a compelling case. Whilst I remain unconvinced about the other subject from last week, re the NFL links (again) the only comments I noticed anywhere seemed very negative. None of them explained why this was such a bad idea. I am not sure how it threatens the future of the club etc., but ?

Talking of what made me laugh this week, the Ars supporters who complained that Chelsea were boring. Clearly they have no idea of their own history. The famous mantra of Herbert Chapman who landed the foundations for them to actually win something was ‘If they don’t score we cant lose.’
Well it looks like old Gomes will be back at the Lane next season with Watford. One minute he can look world class the next like Biffo the clown, Any guesses which one he will be when he faces us !

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Player three - right - thought I'd have a former player who left us not too long ago. So looking forward to reading your entries.

Well done to Harry, Alex and Dele for their awards last weekend and the various other gongs they have already picked up this season.  My thanks go out to ‘Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur’ on Facebook for carrying links to my scribbles. Hope your enjoying them. The page is well worth  a visit when you have finished here - and sent the quiz answer in.

"you have to be a strong character, you have to be brave on the ball, to play at Tottenham in front of those fans. If you show that character and that ability the supporters will be behind you forever." - Glenn Hoddle.

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Now for the fourteen players who played for Spurs that are in the National Hall of Fame. This discounts Alan Mullery who will join them later this year. They are – Pat Jennings, Ray Clemence, Danny Blanchflower, Alf Ramsey, Dave Mackay, Martin Peters, Paul Gascoigne, Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Cliff Jones, Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, Grahame Soulness  and Teddy Sheringham. Alongside three in the managers class, Bill Nicholson, Alf Ramsey and Terry Venables. You could get a reasonable team out of them but a little light at the back.

The HoF have actually changed their nomination process in the recent past and us mere fans can actually now submit names and they MIGHT be put forward to the panel. So stay tuned to this channel whilst I have a ponder. Any thoughts on the subject?

Hidden away in that piece about the NFL links last week was that the papers were saying the new ground would hold 62,000. In which case I for one will be delighted if the gate goes over 60,000. It just sounds so much better than 59,999. We did ask our undercover reporter to look into this. He has slipped us a note saying that whilst everyone seems happy with the plans for the new stand it is possible they may look to increase the capacity !

With Liverpool slipping up on Monday the race for fifth is more open, shame about out goal difference (have you noticed I say that every season). Looks like it could go to the wire. By the time we kick off next Chelsea may well have won the league. City now cant win the title but they will (and their managers job may depend on it) want to finish as high as possible. I'm hoping that Spurs go all out for fifth place. Having said that I do like to see some youngster's blooded in the closing games. 

Below - Ben Davies, get well soon.

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I nearly included this last week, its Bobby Robson former England manager in this case talking about his home town, Newcastle. Fans everywhere will understand his feelings.
"What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes. It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love."

I remember passing through the turnstile then running to catch up as we climbed the steps and seeing for the first time the White Hart Lane pitch before being led up on to the shelf. Magic.

Still having mega problems talking to the outside world from the lofty eerie, but will FB or Twit whenever possible. So do keep an eye out. In the meantime looking forward to your quiz answers and feedback and just amny random twaddle. 

COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
f- peter shearman (old non de plume reserved for THFC matters)

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