HUGHTON, Christopher William Gerard (1978-90)
Position: Full back
Height: 5ft 7ins
Weight: 10st 10lbs
Born: Forest Gate, East London, 11 December, 1958
Signed from part-time professional June 1979
Transferred to West Ham United December 1990
Also played for: West Ham United, Brentford, Republic of Ireland
Spurs Record:
Debut: 29 August, 1979 v Manchester United (FLC) (h) won 2-1
Appearances: League 293(4), FA Cup 34(2), League Cup 33(2), Europe 29(1)
Goals: League 12, FA Cup 1, League Cup 2, Europe 4
Having trained with Spurs from his schoolboy days, Chris Hughton had the chance to join the professional staff but decided to spend a couple of years as a part-time pro while he completed his apprenticeship as a lift engineer before embarking on the rocky road to football stardom.
He took the plunge in the summer of 1979 and within a couple of months had made his first team debut in a League Cup tie with Manchester United, the beginning of a career that was destined for the very top and the start of a period in our history that was to see us garner silverware as Keith Burkinshaw fashioned another exciting, attacking team to follow in the traditions of his predecessors.
Full-back had proved a problem position for Burkinshaw but from his very first game it was obvious Hughton was the answer as he took to top level football as if he had been playing it for years. Once in the team he was there to stay, an integral part of the teams that won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982, reached the League (Milk) Cup Final and European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in 1982, before ending Burkinshaw’s reign with the UEFA Cup in 1984.
In his early days Hughton had been a winger, but we realised his best position was at full-back where his searing pace would prove most effective on the overlap. Although naturally right-footed he played most of his career on the left, developing a perfect understanding with Tony Galvin that created chance after chance for the strikers. While pace, timing and an ability to deliver accurate crosses were Hughton’s greatest assets going forward, he was no slouch dribbling with the ball and on the edge of the box could play the perfect one-two before cutting the ball back.
Defensively Hughton was unlikely to lunge in, aware of his defensive responsibilities and quick to get back in position. He preferred to jockey his opponent into a cul-de-sac before nipping in to take the ball and set us going forward with a simple pass.
Hughton continued to turn in one consistent performance after another and was recognised as one of the full-backs in the country. His considerable value as a squad member was amply proved in March 1987 when Danny Thomas suffered the cruel injury that was to end his career. Although Gary Stevens was initially given the job of replacing Thomas, Chris soon stepped in and helped us to another Wembley appearance against Coventry City.
Hughton’s mother was Irish and he accepted the invitation to play for the Republic, making his first international appearance against the USA just two months after making his Spurs debut. He went on to collect 50 caps as a Spurs player and was a member of the Republic’s successful team in the 1988 European Championships.
Hughton continued to serve Spurs until November 1990 when he joined West Ham United. He helped them to promotion from the Second Division and then joined Brentford and helped them lift the Third Division title.
One of our all-time greats, serving us in 398 appearances in all competitions, Chris gave us 25 years of service as player, coach and assistant manager, joining our coaching staff in 1993 under Ossie Ardiles, and went on to work with Christian Gross, George Graham, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini and Martin Jol, all of whom recognised the vital contribution he had to offer.
After eventually leaving us in 2007, he later enjoyed managerial roles at Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Ghana's national team. He led Newcastle and Brighton to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.