The Stationary Tour

Tales of touring usually mean suitcases and planes, or possibly ships and trains playing various teams in far flung places around the globe.  It may then surprise that Spurs once undertook a ‘tour’ that involved playing the same team three times in three days on the same ground.
And just why did the team get booed and need police protection? 

---

It was in the summer of 1951 and Tottenham having just landed their first League Championship title set out to play three games in Denmark. The first game should have been played on the evening of the 28th May. With the crowd in the ground and the team getting changed the officials came to the dressing room and told the team the game was off due to the heavy rain and the waterlogged pitch. Spurs had been willing to play the game. However the rumour ran round the ground that it was Spurs who declined to take part despite the Danish players begging them to do so.  As the team returned to their coach several thousand fans (no figures are available for any of the games) booed the lads and in the end police were called to clear a path for them. The rumour was picked up by parts of the British press and relayed to their readers back home.

Tottenham had originally planned to play in South Africa that summer but during the preparations it was discovered Newcastle were already in advanced contract talks to also tour there so Spurs cancelled that plan.

Right - Len 'the Duke' Duquemin

 The following night the teams reassembled as they beat a Combined Copenhagen XI 4-2, it was 1-1 at half time. Sonny Walters, Les Bennett and two from Len Duquemin scoring for Spurs. Manchester united were also touring Denmark that week and that night lost to Aalborg.

The next evening Spurs turned out again against the Combined Copenhagen side and despite being 2-1 up at the break the game ended 2-2. Spurs had made five changes to their lineup, our goals coming from Walters and McCellan.

The following night (31st) saw the sides met yet again, Spurs again making five changes as we won 2-0. This time Nicholson and Duquemin scored, both goals coming in the first half. Reynolds, Nicholson, Clarke and Walters played in all three games.
Oddly the following summer again intended to tour in South Africa, but ended up in Canada.  Tottenham returned to England and held a banquet to celebrate their Championship title.


COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
f - https://www.facebook.com/keith.harrison.9659
My profile / archive is @ http://www.indiaspurs.com/keith_harrison.html


Top - Two of the tourists Nicholson and Medley.
Other Tours can be found @ http://www.indiaspurs.com/blog/the-lilywhite-files