Hall of Fame: Pat Jennings

Pat Jennings will be remembered as one of the finest goalkeepers to ever grace the game.

'Big Pat' played 673 games for Spurs between 1964-1977 and another 300-plus at Arsenal before winding down his career in a second spell at White Hart Lane. He also played 119 times for Northern Ireland, including two World Cups.

Now 54, Jennings made such an impact at Watford after moving from Newry Town in 1963 that Bill Nicholson splashed out £27,000 for a 19-year-old with only 48 league appearances behind him. It proved to be one of the legendary manager's greatest-ever signings.

"The first time I met him I said 'hello Mr Nicholson' and he replied 'forget Mr, just call me Bill', " said Pat. "There I was with this great man, with such a fantastic reputation, and suddenly I was on first name terms!
"That said so much about Bill. I never saw anyone disrespect him or have a bad word for him. Everyone thought the world of him. There are not too many Bill Nicholsons in the world."

Jennings signed in June 1964. The rest is history. In his time at White Hart Lane, he won the FA Cup in 1967, League Cup in 1971 and 1973, UEFA Cup in 1972 and on a personal level, the PFA (1975-76) and Football Writers' Player Of The Year (1972-73) Awards.

"At the time I signed, I couldn't really believe it," admitted Jennings. "I'd actually been to watch a couple of Division One games at Chelsea when I was at Watford and there I was, playing for Spurs at that level. Once again, ignorance was bliss. People just kept on putting me on another rung of the ladder and I managed to respond to it."

Jennings, at his peak the best goalkeeper in the world, will still help the keepers with coaching sessions at Spurs Lodge and is present at every match day at White Hart Lane.