20 years ago today - three legends waved goodbye...

One described it as ‘one of the saddest days of my life’. The second admitted he hadn’t really come to terms with it. For the third, it was a celebration. Three legends who played over 1,000 times for Spurs waved goodbye 20 years ago. All gone, but never forgotten.

Gary Mabbutt and Jurgen Klinsmann pulled on the famous white shirt for the last time on 10 May, 1998. Typically, Jurgen scored an absolute beauty. ‘Mabbsy’, proud captain for 11 years, came off the bench late to a hero’s welcome. ‘Howellsy’ was out of the squad and didn’t feature.

All three played their part in our famous history. Gary, who overcame the effects of diabetes to enjoy a 19-year professional career, 16 at Spurs. He remains second in our all-time list of appearances (611) and lifted the FA Cup at Wembley in 1991, having led us to victory over Arsenal in the semi-final.

All-action midfielder David came through the youth system to play 335 times for the Club between 1986-98. A member of that FA Cup-winning team of 1991, he’s described as ‘an unsung hero’ by Mabbsy and ‘connector of people’ by Jurgen.

One of the greatest goalscorers of all time, World Cup and European Championship winner, Jurgen is one of the modern-day heroes of Spurs despite playing only 68 times for the Club, such was his impact in 1994-95 and 1998. Few will forget his first spell, 29 goals, his partnership with Teddy Sheringham and magical moments like his ‘dive’ celebration after goals in his opening games against Sheffield Wednesday and Everton, the sheer emotion of the FA Cup win at Liverpool, any amount of wonderful strikes. On his return, he scored four goals in a must-win game at Wimbledon to allay fears of relegation.

For Jurgen and Mabbsy, this was their farewell to Spurs and club football. Mabbsy retired, aged 37. Jurgen went to the World Cup in France and retired. David moved to Southampton but was forced to retire through injury in 2000.

Below: Gary waves an emotional farewell at the Lane - 10 May, 1998

Gary Mabbutt

"It was one of the saddest days of my life. The Club has been part of my life for a long time, everything I did revolved around it and after that day, I was no longer captain, I was no longer going to lead the team out of that tunnel again. It was all quite emotional. The final whistle went and it was all a bit surreal, the last time I’d be wearing as Spurs kit as a Spurs player. Going around the stadium, I was choked, fans were singing my name and it was very emotional.

“It is difficult to come to terms with. I was very lucky because for 11 years I was the captain leading the team out every game. You would always miss that and I still do miss it. I was just coming up to my 37th birthday so to still be playing in the Premier League wasn’t bad going.

“The UEFA Cup in 1984 was a great evening but being captain of the team winning the FA Cup, going up the steps to receive the trophy, the moment when you actually turn and face the supporters, sharing that moment with the fans was amazing. I’ll never forget that.”

Below: Jurgen arrives at Spurs with another legend and then manager Ossie Ardiles - July, 1994

Jurgen Klinsmann

“For me, it was special to leave everything in such a positive way. Spurs have given me so much throughout my two spells that I just felt I would be connected with the Club for a lifetime. I knew at that moment that game would be the last of my club career. I had the World Cup ahead of me but as a family we’d already decided that I’d call it a day after the World Cup. I was very fortunate because I had a clear picture in mind that I wanted to do something following the World Cup, I’d made plans to move to the United States and start a new life there.

“You only realise after you play your career how much value a club gave to you when you were a player. You don’t realise when you are playing. You go from game to game and you want to win, as a striker I wanted to score goals and you feel like you are in the middle of the universe! When you then stop playing, keep the relationships intact and come back once in a while, then you really understand what a phenomenal club it is in your heart, in your emotions. That’s what I realised after. I had two spells but you only realise afterwards how fortunate you were to experience that, the experiences I shared with a lot of people, with the fans at White Hart Lane. That means the world afterwards.

“On the field I had a blast. I could run forever at White Hart Lane. Off the field, it was such fun to be around the Club with team-mates like Mabbsy, like Teddy, they taught me so much and I was already 30! I felt like a little kid getting taught to eat fish and chips and to have a drink after the game. For me, it was a completely different world and I will never forget it. I feel exactly the same whenever I’m able to come by and watch a game. I feel like I’ve never left and that means a lot.”

Below: David with the two Garys - Mabbutt and Lineker - after the 1991 FA Cup Final

David Howells

“It was a sad day for me because I didn’t really want to leave, but football is like that. The manager at the time didn’t really fancy me so it was a choice of staying at the Club but not really being involved, not really an option at my age at the time (31), or moving on. All I can remember is quite a lot of sadness. At that time I hadn’t really moved on because I hadn’t started talking to other clubs and Spurs was all I’d known since the age of 11, so 20 years at the club. I had great friends here on the playing side and across the Club, every angle. To have to walk away was sad but football is about opinions and I totally respect the manager of the time. No hard feelings. I just felt I could have offered more.

“I’ve amazing memories and I feel privileged to have been involved at such a great Club for such a long time. It was always my Club. I’ve fond memories, played with some great players, managed by great managers, worked with fantastic people throughout the Club. Although it seems like you have to live two lives, once you finish being a footballer you have to build another life for yourself, but I feel lucky that the first half of my life was basically here at Tottenham Hotspur. It inspires me to just think about it, I think ‘you’ve been a lucky boy’. It’s all I could have dreamed of. We could have perhaps won more trophies, but that didn’t happen. Even so, I’ve memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”