Ray recalls Anfield '85

Ray Clemence will always be remembered as a Spurs and Liverpool legend - and as we prepare for a huge game at Anfield this evening, Ray recalls the day almost 30 years ago when we ended a 70-year hoodoo in front of the famous Kop.

The date of March 16, 1985 will go down in Spurs folklore as the first time we won at Anfield since 1912 - incredibly, on the same date!

Garth Crooks struck the only goal of the game in the second half, pouncing on the rebound after Bruce Grobbelaar dived full length to keep out Micky Hazard's volley.

It was a thrilling game and goalkeeper Ray had to be at his world-class best to keep Liverpool at bay - the highlight, a one-handed save to tip Steve Nicol's header onto the crossbar in the first half.

Ray won the lot for the Reds - five league titles, three European Cups, two UEFA Cups, FA Cup and League Cup - and after that afternoon back on Merseyside, he remembers clearly the belief that he could add another championship to his CV, this time with Spurs.

"We were on the coach coming back from Anfield that day knowing it was a fantastic opportunity for us with so many home games left to play, but we couldn't win those homes games," reflected Ray. "It was so frustrating for everyone."

Indeed, victory that day left us level at the top of the old Division One with Everton with nine of our final 13 league games at the Lane.

But we ended up losing five of those games including the key match against our title rivals from Goodison Park. "They beat us here on a wet, windy night in April and went on to win the title - and Andy Gray never stops reminding me!" added Ray. Everton eventually won it by 13 points and we were third, level on points with second-placed Liverpool.

Ray joined us in 1981 and went on to make 333 appearances for us in all competitions - he was recently inducted into our Hall of Fame.

Watch what he had to say about his move to Spurs and Anfield '85 at the top of the page...

Ray will be back at the Lane for our special Goalkeepers' Union Dinner on Wednesday night - last few spaces now available - details here...