News Feed - News - tottenhamhotspur.com

Andre aims for fitting finale

2013-05-17 17:23:00

That means victory against Sunderland in the finale at the Lane on Sunday.

Our previous best is 70 points in the 2009-10 campaign with 69 registered last term.

We go into the final weekend on that 69-point mark, a point behind Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle.

Andre and the players are solely focused on winning against Sunderland.

“We have to do our job and independent of results elsewhere, we want the achievement of reaching 72 points,” said Andre. “That’s important for us.

“We have to win and it’s not that straight forward. The ingredients of the game are dangerous. We have to be aware. We have to focus on our task.

“The determination is there. We’ll focus on our job, that’s most important and we’ll see what happens after that.”

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Season Ticket renewals - available at WHL on Sunday

2013-05-17 16:30:00

If you are planning to renew your Season Ticket at the Sunderland match on Sunday, you are advised to arrive early as it is anticipated that the Ticket Office will be extremely busy.

Please remember to bring your current membership card and Photo ID with you.

The Ticket Office will be open from midday this Sunday. Kick-off against Sunderland is 4pm.

Tickets can also be renewed at any time between now and Tuesday either online or by calling 0844 8440102 (Option 1).

More details here...

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Alex, Harry in England U20 World Cup squad

2013-05-17 15:29:00

Both players have spent periods out on loan this season. Injury restricted striker Harry to five appearances for Norwich before making 13 appearances, scoring twice, at Leicester City in the Championship. Back at Spurs, he played four times in the Barclays U21 Premier League, scoring once.

Versatile forward Alex made his Football League debut in the Championship for Peterborough United on loan before a six-week lay-off through injury. He eventually played six times for Posh.

His performances have caught the eye in both the Barclays U21 Premier League (10 matches, five goals) and NextGen Series (four games, four goals) this term.

Ex-Spur Peter Taylor is in charge of the squad and will be assisted by Chris Ramsey, our Senior Professional Phase Coach.

Taylor will narrow his squad down to 21 players on Friday, June 7.

The World Cup will take place in Turkey between June 21-July 13. England have been drawn in Group E alongside Iraq, Chile and Egypt.

England U20 squad

Goalkeepers - Jamal Blackman (Chelsea), Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), George Long (Sheffield United), Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough).

Defenders - Jake Bidwell (Everton), Sam Byram (Leeds United), Donervorn Daniels (West Bromwich Albion), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Daniel Potts (West Ham United), Adam Reach (Middlesbrough), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United)

Midfielders - Ross Barkley (Everton), Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United), Jake Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Coady (Liverpool), Larnell Cole (Manchester United), John Lundstram (Everton), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards - Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Adam Campbell (Newcastle United), Max Clayton (Crewe Alexandra), Rob Hall (West Ham United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Long (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), Luke Williams (Middlesbrough).

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A-League latest

2013-05-17 14:30:00

An early from Dear and a fine strike from Williamson put Cinnamon in control at 2-0 and even though 6 Hubs came back into the game, Williamson hit his second for 3-0 at half-time.

Cinnamon held onto that lead in a quieter second half and it stayed 3-0.

In the other game, Borussia were 3-0 winners against Deportivo with goals from Cook, Goodbun and Sayer.

For all details on the Spurs A-League, follow this link...

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Gareth named Barclays Player of the Season

2013-05-17 14:27:00

This prestigious award is voted for by a panel made up of media, fans and various associations within football.

It's another individual honour for the flying Welshman, who has enjoyed a magnificent 2012-13 campaign.

He recently became on the second player to win all three major awards - the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Young Player and Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year.

Gareth has 25 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions, including 20 goals in 32 matches in the Premier League.

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Team news

2013-05-17 11:00:00

The full-back missed last week's win at Stoke due to a knee problem.

Andre Villas-Boas reported on Friday morning: "Benoit is training with team and back in contention."

Sandro, Younes Kaboul and William Gallas remain sidelined.

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Legends back in action for John White memorial match

2013-05-17 09:42:00

John tragically lost his life back in July 1964 aged just 27, but his influence and endeavours in the Lilywhite shirt are set to be remembered this weekend with a commemorative friendly match.

Born in Musselburgh, John was a full international for Scotland, and prior to signing for Spurs in 1959, he represented both Alloa Athletic and Falkirk north of the border. He was posthumously inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

A testimonial match was held at White Hart Lane for John during the year of his death, but this weekend, a fresh tribute is being held in his memory, with a number of his fellow former Spurs players doing their bit.

The Spurs Legends team is set to take on FC ScotSpurs, a dedicated team of Scottish fans of Tottenham, in a memorial match for John.

Poignantly, John’s son Rob is set to play for FC ScotSpurs against the team of ex-White Hart Lane favourites, which regularly features the likes of Mark Falco, Paul Miller, Tony Galvin, Clive Wilson and Garry Brooke.

John’s close friend Cliff Jones, who had been playing golf with John on the day of his death, has also been invited to the event to kick the game off.

Rob White, John’s son, explained: “I was contacted at the start of 2012 by Gavin McDonald from FC ScotSpurs, which is, as the name implies, a Spurs supporters’ team based in Scotland. Gavin was telling me about a game that they had arranged the previous summer against the Falkirk Supporters’ team, which was billed as a John White memorial match, Falkirk being the club that my dad was at before he signed for Spurs.

“Gavin asked me whether I would be happy for him to try and arrange another memorial match, but this time against a Spurs Legends team. I said that not only would I be happy for him to arrange such a match, but I would jump at the chance of playing in the game. As I'm now approaching my 50th birthday I'm starting to question the sanity of my offer, but looking forward to captaining the side.

“For me it's great to know that not only is my father seen as a Spurs Legend, but is also still loved and remembered in Scotland.”

Gavin McDonald of FC ScotSpurs added: “We feel that as a Scottish Spurs group, its particularly fitting that we should pay tribute to a Scottish Spurs Legend, taken away in his prime.

“Spurs of course are a club with very many links to Scotland and Scottish players.”

Spurs Legends regular Tony Galvin added: “I remember him (John White) playing when I was very young. One of the first games I ever remember watching was the European Cup Winners’ Cup final of 1963 against Atletico Madrid, and of course John was part of that famous team.

“My dad always said to me that John was a great player, and it’s important that we remember someone who was cut down in his absolute prime.”

Kick-off will be at 2pm on Saturday, with the match taking place at Colebrook Royals FC, The Pavilion, Grange Farm Lane, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6DP.

With the first team set for Sunday’s big finish in the Barclays Premier League, why not pop along to Chigwell on Saturday afternoon to join some of our ex-players remember a true Tottenham great?

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Britannia to Black Cats

2013-05-16 21:38:00

We recovered from Stoke’s opener in the third minute at the Britannia Stadium to level via Clint Dempsey’s strike in the 20th minute and we dominated proceedings in the second half before Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed the precious winner eight minutes from time.

We now face a Sunderland team no doubt buoyed by the fact they no longer need to scrap for survival on the season’s final day – Wigan’s loss at Arsenal on Tuesday secured the Black Cats’ place in the Premier League.

The Gunners’ win also sees them a point ahead as we prepare for game number 38 – the Gunners travel to Newcastle.

“The game against Stoke was good for us, it took patience and intelligence to win that game and I think it will be the same against Sunderland,” said Andre.

“We have to do our job and independent of results elsewhere, we want the achievement of reaching 72 points. That’s important for us.”

If we manage to beat Sunderland, 72 points would be a record haul for us in the Premier League.

We’ll have more from Andre as we build up to the game...

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JD, Kyle in England squad

2013-05-16 13:36:00

JD will be looking for a 54th cap and to add to his 19 goals having scored last time out in the World Cup qualifier against San Marino in March.

Full-back Kyle also last played for England in that match and will be looking for a sixth full cap.

The Three Lions take on the Republic at Wembley on Wednesday, May 29 before travelling to Rio to take on Brazil on Sunday, June 2.

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers - Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Alex McCarthy.

Defenders - Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders - Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott.

Forwards - Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck.

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We can only think about our performance - Hugo

2013-05-16 12:13:00

And the French international says that will be no easy task against a Sunderland team now clear of the pressure of needing points for survival.

Wigan's loss at Arsenal on Tuesday guaranteed Sunderland's Premier League status and the final day of the campaign will now be focused on the battle between ourselves and the Gunners for fourth spot.

We go into the final weekend a point adrift of Arsenal, who travel to Newcastle.

"Paolo Di Canio has realised his objective, he’s saved the team in the Premier League and it’s never easy to play against a team that has no pressure," said Hugo.

"We can’t think about the Arsenal result, we have to think about our performance, we need three points and from there, we can see what happens.

"It won’t be easy. Sunderland have good players, a good team and when we played against them in December, it was a tough game. That was a good result for us.

"It has been difficult for them and a number of teams concerned with relegation.

"Like I said, it’s not easy to play against a team that has no pressure, but we have to focus on ourselves."

Look out for more from Hugo in Sunday's official matchday programme - 100 pages, £3.50 - on sale at the usual outlets on Sunday and AVAILABLE HERE online...

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Travel update - Sunderland

2013-05-16 12:08:00

Remember, kick-off is 4.00pm.

Supporters travelling to this Sunday's match should be aware that there will be no services via Northumberland Park because the route between Tottenham Hale and Cheshunt is closed before the match whilst Network Rail carry our essential maintenance work.

All supporters should therefore use White Hart Lane where all services will be formed of eight cars. The services to/from White Hart Lane are as follows:

Northbound

Pre-match - from approximately 13.00, all services from Liverpool Street will call at Seven Sisters and White Hart Lane until kick-off.
Post-match - from soon after scheduled full-time, trains will stop additionally at White Hart Lane as follows:

- Approximately for the first hour, all services with additional calls also added at Cheshunt and Broxbourne as necessary;
- From 19.00 onwards, additional stops steadily reduced with last extra call being 20.11 to Hertford East.

Southbound

Pre-match - from approx 13.00, services from Cambridge and Hertford East will call additionally at White Hart Lane.
Post-match - from soon after scheduled full-time, trains will stop additionally at White Hart Lane as follows:

- For approximately 90 minutes, all services to Liverpool Street and also at Seven Sisters for Victoria line interchange;
- From 19.20, additional stops steadily reduced with normal service resuming from 20.40.

Follow this link for timetables in full...

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A thank you to fans

2013-05-16 11:46:00

It’s been a dramatic season full of memorable highlights, and even though it’s far from over just yet, the support we have received both at home and abroad has been a driving force behind the team.

But this not only goes for those who are with us on a matchday - our incredible fanbase keeps getting stronger and we've seen massive growth in our support all over the country and across the globe!

We thank you for all the great photos regularly sent into us via Twitter @SpursOfficial, letting us know where you are watching the games no matter where you are.

During half-time at Sunday’s big finale against Sunderland at the Lane, Ledley King will be personally thanking fans for the support you have shown over the course of the season – much of which he has seen first-hand in his role as Club Ambassador.

The legendary former captain will then introduce the winners of our recent ‘Road to Glory’ campaign, sponsored by technical partners Under Armour.

Challenges were set for groups of fans all over the globe to film themselves completing to prove they are the world’s most passionate Spurs fans to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London for Sunday’s match. Entries came in from everywhere from Ireland, to Australia, and even from Nepal! And Ledley was part of the judging panel that decided the winners.

To round off the day, our players will take to the field post-match to show their appreciation to supporters – and this is where you can get involved and thank them back!

We want fans attending Sunday’s game to send us your Tweets that sum up the 2012-13 season, and we will show the best of them on the LED advertising boards as the players do their lap of honour.

Use the hashtag #ProudToBeSpurs and keep a look out if you are in the stadium at the end.

Once again, thank you for your support.

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International Player Development hits South Africa this summer!

2013-05-16 09:21:00

After the success of programmes in Cape Town and Johannesburg in the Spring, the Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching team will are inviting young players from South Africa to join us in:

DURBAN: MONDAY 24 JUNE-FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2013

JOHANNESBURG: MONDAY 1 JULY-FRIDAY 5 JULY 2013

CAPE TOWN: MONDAY 8 JULY-FRIDAY 12 JULY 2013

Each player development programme will be led by our International Coaching Programmes Manager, Andy Rogers, along with our specialised International coaching team.

Boys and girls aged 6 to 17 years of all footballing abilities can take part in advanced style coaching based on the Tottenham Hotspur Academy syllabus*.

The programme aims to:

- Develop each session at the pace of the player with the most potential
- Achieve multiple outcomes - Technical/Tactical/Physical/Psychological
- Develop effective players and individuals
- Optimise every second for the player
- Develop personality and mental strength
- Create the best learning environment

For more information or enquiries, call 011 325 4735.

Or visit: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/soccer-schools/International/investec-coaching-programme.page?

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50 years on - Terry reunited with CWC trophy at the Lane!

2013-05-15 19:26:00

Terry scored twice as we beat Atletico Madrid in the final in Rotterdam on May 15, 1963 to become the first British team to lift a European trophy.

Jimmy Greaves also netted twice and the great John White smashed home for 2-0 as Bill Nicholson's team produced one of the club's finest-ever performances - you can read all about it here...

To mark the 50-year anniversary, Terry was back at the Lane to lead a special stadium tour, where he told some wonderful stories about that night, and his 10 years at Spurs, 1955-65.

Terry made 209 appearances in all competitions in that time, scoring 55 goals. Part of Bill's double-winning team - a goalscorer in the FA Cup Final in 1961, as we clinched the famous double - Terry added another FA Cup in 1962 and the Cup Winners Cup in 1963 in that golden era.

But he will always be remembered for Rotterdam...

"It's been a brilliant day, I'm part of the history of Tottenham Hotspur and I'm proud about that," said Terry, now 78.

"It was a historical event for the club. We were the first British club to win a European trophy and it was amazing to pick up that trophy again. That trophy is part of us, part of our history.

"Of course I remember scoring the goals, lifting the trophy and the whole day, really. Bill gave us a good team talk and we really didn't know what to expect from Athletico, we'd never played them before.

"Cliff Jones had a great game as well and once I got the lucky third goal to make it 3-1, we battered them. The team played really well and that's what Bill was most pleased about."

Terry thoroughly enjoyed leading the tour of the Lane. "It's always great to be back at the stadium and I'm sure everyone enjoyed it as much as I did," he added.

LEGENDS TOURS

Experience the Lane with a legend...

Accompanied by one of our professional tour guides, your legend will lead you around White Hart Lane taking in the areas behind the scenes at the Club.

You will hear fantastic stories of their time at Spurs and following the tour there will be a Q&A and signing session and you will receive a limited edition postcard.

Go to our special Stadium Tour microsite to find out details of all future Legends tours, and a huge array of tours at the Lane.

THE GLORY, GLORY NIGHTS: The Official story of Tottenham Hotspur in Europe

'The Glory Glory Nights' gives a complete and official story of the Club in Europe with spectacular photography, much of it previously unseen, match reports and statistics from every European game the club has ever played, plus first-hand memories and recollections from Club legends spanning the decades. It's a perfect Spurs Christmas Gift!

Not at the Lane? Purchase this book from our online store...

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U21s final ticket news

2013-05-15 18:30:00

These tickets will be available from the Ticket Office from 2pm tomorrow (Thursday, May 15) to personal callers or over the phone: 0844 844 0102 (Option 2).

Tickets will be priced at £5.00 (Adults) and £2.00 (65+ and U20).

Additionally, fans can enter via cash turnstiles on the night at entrance E30 at Old Trafford.

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Jan ready for final push

2013-05-15 12:01:00

“All we can do is win our games and it’s important for us to keep believing,” said Jan. “We would have to do that anyway on Sunday, so let’s hope we can.”

Jan said he was confident of success at Stoke last Sunday as long as we stuck to our football.

That possession game helped us get back on terms after the Potters took an early lead and following Charlie Adam’s red card five minutes into the second half, patience was the key as we took maximum points via Emmanuel Adebayor’s 83rd-minute winner.

“We knew we had to fight for this result,” said Jan. “We went 1-0 down but fought all the way, kept playing our football and that was important.

“We knew we could win here and we showed passion, played our football and I think we deserved to win.”]]>

Win-Win situation for Junior Members

2013-05-15 11:47:00

There’s a double bonanza of Spurs awesomeness for our Juniors, as we’re giving away two fantastic Members-exclusive prizes.

Photocall Competition

If you’ve ever dreamed of starring alongside your heroes, now’s your chance.

We’re giving five Junior members the exclusive opportunity to be photographed with players and coaching staff in our official team photo. How to enter: Just send us in your favourite Spurs drawing and we’ll pick our five lucky winners.

Junior Reporter Competition

This is your chance to meet your Spurs hero and ask them your questions.

One lucky Junior member will be chosen to meet and record a TV interview their favourite player.

Your interview will be played out on matchday on our White Hart Lane Jumbotron screens.

How to enter: Send us the ten questions you’d ask your favourite player and you could be chosen as our winner!

SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:

Email: onehotspurjuniors@tottenhamhotspur.com

Post: One Hotspur, Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 0AP.

Don’t forget to include your name, client reference number and what competition you are entering on all correspondence.

Closing date for all entries is Friday 28 June 2013.

PS: If you’re not already a One Hotspur Junior Member, you can sign up now to take part in these competitions, and qualify for loads more great benefits!

Visit: tottenhamhotspur.com/juniors

Call: 0844 844 0102 (select Option 3)

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Legends latest

2013-05-15 11:41:00

John tragically lost his life back in July 1964 aged just 27, but his influence and endeavours in the Lilywhite shirt are set to be remembered this weekend with a commemorative friendly match.

The Legends side, which regularly features the likes of Mark Falco, Tony Galvin, Clive Wilson and Stuart Nethercott, will be taking on a team of Scottish fans of Tottenham, known as FC ScotSpurs, with John’s son Rob White set to captain the fans’ team.

Kick-off will be at 2pm on Saturday, with the match taking place at Colebrook Royals FC, The Pavilion, Grange Farm Lane, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6DP.

Meanwhile, Teddy Sheringham bagged a hat-trick last Sunday (May 12) as the Spurs Legends ran out comfortable 6-0 winners against a team of celebrities at Leyton Orient FC.

Andy Sinton was also among the scorers in front of nearly 2,500 fans at Brisbane Road, as our official veterans’ side took part in a memorial match for John Docker, a popular ex-professional footballer who passed away last year.

Lining up against the Legends were Mark Wright and James ‘Arg’ Argent from TV’s The Only Way Is Essex, actor Danny Dyer, MC Harvey from So Solid Crew and Ray Lewis from the Drifters.

The first real chance fell to Spurs, as Garry Brooke’s searching diagonal ball found Sheringham cutting in from the right, and the former England front man struck a right-footed volley against the upright with seven minutes gone.

The celebrity side had the ball in the net at the other end a few minutes later, but they were denied by an off-side flag.

Mark Falco set up Sinton to try his luck from distance for Spurs, but his effort was always rising and the ball ultimately cleared the bar.

Sheringham fired Spurs into the lead on 15 minutes when he seized on a scuffed clearance and calmly steered the ball inside the far post.

The celebrity side forced Spurs goalkeeper Gareth Howells into a couple of diving saves, while at the other end, Brooke found the onrushing Falco with another good ball over the top, but the striker was off target as the first half drew to a close.

Spurs went 2-0 up five minutes after the restart when Jon Docker fittingly scored in his father’s memorial game, while Sinton curled a right-footed effort just wide of the back stick as a gap opened up for him 20 yards out.

The celebrity side had a penalty claim waved away by the referee in the 55th minute after a strong challenge by Stuart Nethercott, who later inherited a new central defensive partner upon the introduction of talkSPORT presenter Paul Hawksbee.

Micky Southam netted Spurs’ third goal in the 68th minute, while Sinton linked up well with Sheringham a few minutes later, the former stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with a shot from just inside the box.

Sheringham finished well under pressure from two defenders to make it 4-0 in the 81st minute, and four minutes later, Sinton thumped the ball home to add his side’s fifth of the afternoon.

Sheringham, on a hat-trick, was denied by a combination of the goalkeeper and his defenders on a couple of occasions in the closing minutes, but the front man finally completed his treble with the last kick of the game, completing a resounding win for the Legends.

Spurs Legends: Gareth Howells, Paul Miller, Justin Edinburgh, Andy Edmonds, Stuart Nethercott, Garry Brooke, Mark Falco, Andy Sinton, Teddy Sheringham, Jon Docker, Clive Wilson. Subs: Warren Gravette, Paul Hawksbee, Trevor Wilkinson, Micky Southam, James Jaconelli, Dean Floyd.

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It was 50 years ago today - our historic win in Europe...

2013-05-15 11:20:00

So close in the European Cup the season before – when Bill Nicholson’s double-winners were knocked out in the semi-final by eventual-winners Benfica – the team retained the FA Cup and took their place in the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962-63.

After beating Rangers 8-4, Slovan Bratislava 6-2 and then OFK Beograd 5-2 on aggregate over two legs, the team lined-up against holders Atletico Madrid at Feyenoord Stadium, Rotterdam on May 15, 1963.

The rest, as they say, is history...

THE FINAL...

The performance in the final is regarded as one of the club’s finest.

In control thanks to goals from Jimmy Greaves and John White, the team shrugged off a mini-revival from Atletico at the start of the second half to run away with the contest.

Greaves was on target again and Terry Dyson marked his best display in a Spurs shirt with two goals, including a cracker into the top corner from fully 25 yards to finish it all off.

Spurs: Brown, Baker, Henry, Marchi, Norman, Blanchflower, Dyson, White, Greaves, Smith, Jones.

THE GOALS...

1-0, 16mins – Bobby Smith played in Cliff Jones down the right, he crossed deep on the run, met by Greaves, who planted a volley into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
2-0, 35mins – Greaves crossed deep from the right, Atletico goalkeeper Edgardo flapped, Dyson turned the ball back into John White, who hammered into the roof of the net from 14 yards.
2-1, 47mins – Atletico got back into the game from the penalty spot after Ron Henry handled Mendonca’s shot. Enrique Collar slotted home from the spot.
3-1, 67mins – Dyson showed fine skills to lose his marker down the left and looped the ball towards goal, where Edgardo completely misjudged the flight and the ball ended in the back of the net.
4-1, 80mins – Similar to the first goal, this time Dyson crossed from the left and Greaves was there at the far post to clinically dispatch another volley.
5-1, 85mins – Goal of the night and one of the most famous in our history, started by Tony Marchi winning possession in our half, he played wide left to Dyson, who took off on a 50-yard run before hitting a thunderbolt into the top corner from 25 yards. What a way to finish!

PROGRAMME SPECIAL...

To mark the 50th anniversary of our European Cup Winners Cup triumph, we ran a special series in this season's official matchday programme looking back at the 'Road To Rotterdam'. The series culminated in a look back at the final in our Europa League programme against Lyon.

The special included an interview with Man of the Match, Terry Dyson - and you can read it all again by following this link (pdf)...

THE PLAYER...

It might be 50 years on, but Cliff Jones remembers the final as if it was yesterday.

We spoke to the legendary winger on this famous anniversary.

How special was that win, Cliff?
Cliff Jones: “It was a very special to be the first British club to win a European competition. It’s like the first of everything - Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile, Hilary climbing Everest – that’s what we did that night. Bill Nicholson said at the time ‘you don’t realise what you’ve done tonight, lads’ and, as always, he was spot on.”

It was a fine performance on the night as well...
Cliff: “Yes, it was a comprehensive win, no doubt about that, but there was a period in the second half when they put some pressure on us. It went to 2-1 and we were under the cosh a little, but Bill Brown in goal performed when we needed him. We broke away, Terry Dyson scored and then we went on to win comfortably against a very good Atletico Madrid team.”

Everyone remembers Terry’s performance and goal that night...
Cliff: “It was his night and it’s something he’s reminded us about all these years, in fact, still to this day! Whenever you say anything to him, he’ll just say ‘remember Rotterdam’! Yes, it was his night. He was such an enthusiastic, infectious player and that night, he was the star man.”

Europe was new to British teams then, did that make it even more special?
Cliff: “I think it did, yes. We’d had experience in the European Cup, where we’d run Benfica very close the year before. Whoever won that game would win the European Cup because Real Madrid were possibly just past it by then. It was something very special because at the time, people had difficulty in imagining a British team winning a European competition.”

The double team and Bill Nicholson's teams after that won so much, but was the only regret going so close and not quite making it in the European Cup in 1962?
Cliff: “We were so close. No club in Europe wanted to play us. We were so good at that time, especially at home. No-one beat us here. When we were drawn against Benfica, we knew that one of us was going to go on and win the European Cup, and that’s how it turned out. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the run of the ball against Benfica.

What were those first European nights like?
Cliff: “I have to bring in the crowd here. They were always fantastic. I’ll never forget those moments here under the lights and when I talk about Europe, I always go back to the first game we played, against Gornik (European Cup, 1961-62). That was such a special night. If anyone asks me if one game sticks out, that was it, an amazing evening. We ran out from the corner of the West Stand (where the tunnel used to be) in front of 65,000 fans and the atmosphere was amazing. They carried us through. That was the start of the glory, glory nights and a special occasion for everyone connected with the club.”

THE GLORY, GLORY NIGHTS: The Official story of Tottenham Hotspur in Europe

Not at the Lane? Purchase this book from our online store...

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Record year of coaching success!

2013-05-15 07:32:00

The Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching team have achieved a notable success this season working in partnership with Turnford School Sports College in Hertfordshire.

This partnership sees Spurs coaches delivering BTEC and NVQ Level 3 courses to Sixth Form students at the College, as well as an Elite Player Development Programme to Year 7,8, 9 and 10 students.

This season the Turnford Year 13 squad achieved the notable record of going undefeated all season under the guidance of their Spurs coach Luke Jones. In a remarkable unbeaten sequence the Turnford team won every game bar two draws, and finished comfortably top of their SESSA Premier North Division.

They also claimed silverware in the form of the SESSA Cup competition, beating a field of 35 teams and making this the most successful squad ever in the history of our partnership programme with Turnford.

Luke Jones, part of the Global Coaching team and who led the Turnford side said: “It has been a pleasure to work with all the players as they have developed throughout the course of the programme. I could not have asked for more as the talent, mentality and dedication of each player is second to none.“

Luke praised the squad for their willingness to adopt the Spurs approach to playing the game: “The squad have taken on the Tottenham philosophy and it has really paid off. The squad has also produced in the classroom as they all completed their BTEC level 3 national – sport, 10 gaining merit, five gaining distinction and two achieving distinction stars which again is a great testament to this group.“

Turnford Captain Bradley Niner commented: “I’ve been with the boys for two years now, but you’d think we have been together for much longer due to the great cohesion within the team.”

Bradley paid tribute to his team-mates and the Spurs coaches: “Obviously you cannot win without a certain amount of talent, which these boys all have. But I cannot say all this hard work has been done alone, as all three coaches; Luke Jones, James Adcock and Phil Heseltine have helped us throughout the journey.”

It’s an achievement Turnford College take a lot of satisfaction from , as head of PE at Turnford School Sports College Adam Clark acknowledged: “Turnford School are extremely proud of the accomplishments made by the Sixth Form THFC football squad this year. Winning the SESSA final against an older University team, is a testament to their skill, commitment and determination.“

Adam added: “This result is the combination of excellent coaching from THFC staff and fantastic training facilities that have enabled this team to excel and achieve so much. As well as these great achievements they have also had the opportunity to become Level 2 football coaches, visit White Hart Lane, meet various Spurs professional players and complete a level 3 Btec in Sport that should prepare them for whatever they decide to go onto next.“

“We are now looking ahead and expect this success to continue as the THFC programme at Turnford school grows bigger and attracts gifted footballers from the North London area and beyond.”

Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching are currently recruiting for the new Year 12 team. For more information please contact phil.heseltine@turnford.herts.sch.uk

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