Spurs at the World Cup | 1962

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June (8pm UK).

Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all…

Spurs at the World Cup | 1962 - Jimmy Greaves, Maurice Norman

Maurice Norman was in his prime as we won the double in 1960/61 and retained the FA Cup the following season, yet an England call-up just wouldn’t come his way.

When the selectors finally gave him the nod and drafted the centre-back into the side, it was just eight days from the start of the 1962 World Cup in Chile and England’s last friendly before they launched their challenge on the Jules Rimet trophy.

Walter Winterbottom’s side took on Peru in Lima and Maurice lined up on his international debut alongside Bobby Moore. Greavsie hit a hat-trick as England triumphed 4-0 and Maurice impressed to such an extent that 11 days later, he found himself in the starting XI for England’s World Cup opener against Hungary.

It wasn’t the best tournament for the Three Lions, however, as they lost twice in the group stage but progressed on goal difference, only to lose to eventual champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.

England began with a 2-1 defeat to Hungary at the Estadio Braden in Rancagua, but bounced back a 3-1 win over Argentina, thanks to goals from Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Greaves. A goalless draw against Bulgaria saw England edge through to meet Brazil.

The reigning champions were always going to present Norman and Moore with a tough test and so it proved. Despite the absence of the injured Pele, Brazil were still able to boast the likes of Didi, Vava and the flying winger Garrincha, who was in top form.

He fired Brazil ahead, before Gerry Hitchens levelled for England, but further goals from Vava and Garrincha sealed England’s fate and they returned home.

Maurice had certainly made his mark and continued to represent his country with distinction for another two years, winning 23 caps in total.

A defensive rock at Spurs, the gentle giant from Norfolk made 411 appearances for us over 10 years, 1955-65, winning the double in 1961, the FA Cup again in 1962 and then the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

Greavsie also started all four of England’s games, scoring his first World Cup goal against Argentina, his only goal of the 1962 tournament.

That was only the start of the rollercoaster ride for Greavsie at the World Cup - read more tomorrow...