Gary Mabbutt thrilled members of OzSpurs, our Official Supporters' Club in Australia, with a special Q&A and signing session ahead of our match against Newcastle United in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Our legendary former captain, second in our all-time appearances with 611 over a 16-year spell at the club, 1982-1998, Mabbsy met OzSpurs at The Imperial, just around the corner from the magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground, host venue of the match that later drew almost 80,000 fans as Ange Postecoglou returned home.
Absolutely captivating chat with @SpursOfficial legend Gary Mabbutt here in Melbourne. A true legend! #ozspurs #thfc #coys #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/tiJKPjggYt
— OzSpurs (@OzSpurs) May 22, 2024
Hosted by Paul Fellowes, such a key figure for us Down Under in four years as President of OzSpurs, Mabbsy answered questions from across his storied career, starting with his move from Bristol Rovers to Spurs on Bill Nicholson's recommendation back in 1982 to winning the UEFA Cup, the 1987 FA Cup Final and, of course, his greatest moment, lifting the FA Cup after first beating Arsenal in the semi-final and then Forest in the final at Wembley. "As soon as I drove through those famous black iron gates at White Hart Lane, I knew this was the club for me," he said.
A diabetic for over 40 years, Gary also explained how he was told he would never be able to make it as a professional footballer, yet defied those odds to spend 16 years at the very top, including earning 16 caps for England.