ENGLAND, Harold Michael M.B.E. (1966-75)
Position: Centre half
Height: 6ft 2ins
Weight: 13st 3lbs
Born: Greenfield, North Wales, 2 December, 1941
Signed from Blackburn Rovers August 1966
Transferred to Seattle Sounders, May 1975 released
Also played for: Blackburn Rovers, Seattle Sounders, Cardiff City, Wales
Spurs Record:
Debut: 20 August 1966 v Leeds United (FL) (h) won 3-1
Appearances: League 300, FA Cup 32, League Cup 30, Europe 35
Goals: League 14, FA Cup 2, Europe 3
When Maurice Norman broke his leg playing against a Hungarian XI in a friendly match in November, 1965, we lost the best central defender in the club, one of the best in the country.
To secure a replacement Bill Nicholson had to break the then-British record for a defender, as we spent £95,000 to persuade newly-relegated Blackburn Rovers to release their Welsh centre-half Mike England, widely acknowledged as the best youngster in his position around.
England had joined Blackburn as a 17-year-old and played for them at outside-right, half-back and centre-forward before settling into the back line. He collected 11 Welsh Under-23 caps before stepping up to the full team and by the time of his move to Spurs in August 1966, only a few days before the opening of the season, had 20 full caps to his name.
England went straight into our team and although it did take him a while to settle to his new surroundings and team-mates, it was clear Nicholson had again spent money well and secured a giant around whom a solid defence could be built. He was everything a defensive kingpin in the 1960s and 70s needed to be, tall, ruggedly built and never happier than when involved in a physical battle with a bustling opponent. His most obvious strength was in the air but his aerial power was only part of his armoury. For such a big man he was quick over the ground and when given the time, showed the control and skill on the ball he had learnt as a young winger. He could also hit some lovely long passes and was particularly adept at dropping free-kicks into the most dangerous of areas.
In England’s first season at White Hart Lane he played a full part in the club reaching the FA Cup Final where he gave a truly immaculate performance, totally dominating Tony Hateley who, pre-match, had been rated Chelsea’s biggest threat.
While England will always be remembered as one of the best centre-halves to wear a Spurs shirt, his aerial strength was a frequently potent weapon at attacking set plays and when the situation demanded he would be pushed forward as an extra striker.
Although an ankle injury caused England to miss the 1971 League Cup Final he returned to help us win the 1972 UEFA Cup and the 1973 League Cup. He also played in the 1974 UEFA Cup Final, scoring the opening goal in the first leg of the final against Feyenoord with a glancing header and panicking Joop van Daele into slicing the ball into his own net for our second.
On the international stage England continued to represent Wales, winning another 24 caps as a Spurs player. He captained his country on many occasions and proved himself one of the best central defenders in Europe.
Continually having to overcome ankle injuries, England began to find it tough as we struggled against relegation in 1974-75. In March, 1975 he suddenly announced he was retiring but then went to play for Seattle Sounders in the USA before returning for a season with Cardiff City. Back in America he represented Team America in the 1976 Bi Centennial Tournament with England, Brazil and Italy.
In May, 1980 he was appointed manager of Wales and led his country for seven-¬and a half seasons, desperately unlucky not to take the principality to the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships.