I should point out that is isn't a competition, rather an attempted sharing of experiences so if your day out didn't quite end in the American Bar at the Savoy with the half the first team and a string of dolly birds, it's no lesser a story...
Saturday, October 07, 2006
What Was Your First Spurs Game?
Posted by Harry Hotspur at Saturday, October 07, 2006
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28 comments:
my dad started taking me to the lane for the first time on a regular basis in 1979. he was actually a QPR fan but i converted him! (doesn't the dad normally influence the son ???? )
anyhow, back in the days of proper stadiums ie terraces, I didnt miss a home game and a fair few away for about 7/8 years. started to miss a few for whatever reasons and still get down there for as many games as possible each season now.
basically, being brought up on such pure entertainment, not always winning and yes, a few barren years, makes me like numerous others, such a diehard for the "tottenham way."
this is probably why I get so passionate when people slate my beloved spurs.
IMO Martin Jol is the best thing to happen to spurs in many a season and I hope he is given as long as it takes to get spurs back up where we belong. its been too long since the "glory glory days".
now, if only we can unearth another Hoddle.........
COYS
My first game was Bill Nick's Testimonial.
Dad & I flew in from Germany (where we lived at he time) and then made the messy journey from Tottenham Hale.
West Stand Seats.
Warren Mitchell was MC for the WH vs THFC old boys game - (Alf Garnet) - was heckled by the Hammers - and he simply roared 'Shaaaaadup' at them and they folded - the whole of The Lane laughed - They had a very active firm then, to put it mildly.
Needless to say, I was home in time for tea & medals
My first live game was nothing as excitin as Harry's, or even in the same era, as I was barely out of my nappies in 1979 bless me. Was just old enough to start remembering Games at around 1981 and 1982, The Fa cup wins, Hoddle, Ardiles, Archibald, Galvin, Falco, Crooks, Roberts, Perryman, n all that bunch. Captured my heart with their style, and also loved the look of the kit, funnily enough Martin Jol said the same thing about liking the kit when he was a nipper!
But I was originally heavily influenced to start supporting Spurs because my older brother did, and as younger brothers do... I followed suit. But as the glory faded out at the end of the 80's, he changed sides and started supporting the arch enemy scum (what a wanker!). But I never changed my loyalty to Spurs who were my first love and will be my last. Had many passionate arguments with my brother about our rivalry, I wind him up and tell him I dont accept that he is a Gooner supporter as he first told me he supported Spurs and tell him I still see him as a Spurs supporter as no true loyal fan is allowed to change sides! ( f*ckin typical glory hunter)...he gets wound up lol!
I have have never been a season ticket holder as have enjoyed playing Saturday footie myself for a long time, so am also a great lover of the game in general, live n breath it. But as a club member have got to as many games as is possible over the years. Sadly when I did start attending games during the 90's, the glory days were gone, and we had too many one man teams since then inspired by either Gazza (and Lineker), Klinsmann, Sheringham or Ginola. All legends, but sadly surrounded by too many players who were either just average or "has been" players.
I agree with Dannyboy that finally under Martin Jol (bar a few strange tactics), we have started to look like a team with the purpose and ambition to go places.
Has been very painful feeding off the scraps over the years and only having the odd bit of glee over my brother eg 1991 FA Cup semi-final win over the scum with Gazza's amazing free kick and Lineker's goal to finish em off was a sweet moment.
But now more than any of those many false dawns we've had, can see and feel more good times on their way...COYS!!!
Vs. Leeds, 1980, I was six and had just had eye surgery being BLIND up until then! . . The club were great about the 'see again supporters' Glenn Hoddle gave me his shirt and his Man of the match 50 quid checque. My dad and I were interviewed by Des (media god) Lynam on MOTD. Walked out onto the pitch at half time on my dad's shoulders. . . the crowd cheered (leeds supporters too) God Bless Tottenham!
Anyone remember it? Had nice chat with Steve Perryman, Ricky Villa the Hodd. Live in Hong Kong now so have to survive on rare visits to the Lane. Most recently our 2-1 inter milan friendly.
COYS!
My first game was August 1980 v Notts Forest we won 2-0 i was in the east lower in the middle at the front
And i have been hooked ever since
Still to this day the kit that was worn is still my fav kit of all time !!!
1991 semi yeah u know the one hooked ever since - was 14 been season ticket ever since now 29 best game ive seen is fa cup replay against leeds when anderton and ginola scored gr8 game
Against liverpool at Anfield in either 95 or 96. I think it was Andy Sinton's debut. i was with my dad, sister uncle and cousin, all liverpool fans, and me, a young up and coming spurs fan. Sitting in the stand, right next o the kop, in my white spurs jersey, stood out like a sore thumb. We drew 0-0, which was sisappointing as obviously goals make football matches, but i was made up as after the game in the car park i bumped into Chris Armstrong, got an autograph, and had the cheek to ask him when he was going to sign for Ireland. arent we lucky he didnt, what a donkey. RJ, N. Ireland
At Highbury -76 or -77, anyhow it was in april and the Mighty Arsenal won 1-0 (Super-Mac). I`m quite sure you`ll be back in mid-table or worse mediocraty for many years to come...
You had your season in the sun, it`s over now.
Was in 1992 against Everton. Spurs won 2-1 with Paul Allen and Andy Turner scoring a late winner. Was 1 of the best days of my life, seeing White Hart Lane for the 1st time was just amazing
my first game was back in 1992 agaist man utd, i come from a rugby family and the fact i managed to get my dad to take me to a football match was quite an achievement, we lost the game and i cried all the way home(it was my birthday aswell) it was my first and only trip to the lane of my life so far i have been living up north for the last eight years so have been to as many away games as possible usually in the home supporters end not much fun and to complete my sob story it was only at man city last season that i finally watched spurs win it was my 21 spurs game and guess what i cried all the way home with happiness.
Warm September night in 1964....White Hart Lane with 40,000 plus,St Bruno pipe smoke and oranges in the air..atmosphere electric,Greaves magical ,Birmingham lucky to get away with 4-1,a love affair begun.
Oldgaz
I was at that Sunderland game. Gerry Armstrong played centre half - hence we let in three goals. However my first game was v Arsenal in about 1963. I was nine and my Dad and I sat in the unreserved seats in Park Lane. There must have been 60,000+ in the ground. I still remember how vivid a green the grass was. Arsenal were managed by Billy Wright, who was married to one of the Beverley Sisters, all three of whom sat in the director's box wearing bright red two piece suits. When they stood up we all booed like crazy.
The match? Well, Tottenham at one stage held a three goal lead at 4-1. I can vaguely rememeber Dave Mackay crashing in a 30 yarder at the Park Lane end. However so typically, Arsenal came back and scored three times in the last half hour to force a 4-4 draw. those last three goals all being into the Park Lane goal. I think Joe Baker scored a couple of them.
A couple of years later in 1965 and being bigger my Dad and I stood in the Enclosure to watch us defeat Man Utd 5-1 in the game where Jimmy Greaves scored that wonder goal after a mazy run from the half way line. I was standing close to where that run began as he went tearing of towards the Paxton goal. Happy Days
having done some internet history research, my very first spurs game was 3rd december 1975. doncaster rovers in the league cup, winning 7-2. the day the love affair began.
i dont remember much about the game, but i do recall it was cold and we sat behind the goal in the upper tier, so was probably the paxton as the away fans were down the other end. i was 7 at the time - you can do the maths yourself if you wish !
quite incredible now i think about it. i couldnt tell you the spurs team from memory, only subsequent book reading. i took my son, also 7 at the time, to his 1st spurs game beating wimbledon 2-0. (sullivans last game for the dons before joing us if i recall). it still amuses me now, my son asking me which player was owen, beckham etc!!!! he hadnt quite grasped the full basics of who played for which team - the innocent mind of a childs mind! now he's on my case for a season ticket as a moody teenager !!
the fondness of reminiscing - cheers harry.
harry, by the way, is this blog now a collaboration? i think you know what i mean !!
COYS
I can't actually remember the team of the first game, but it was a magical, magical experience at WHL. My son is too young to write this - but I'm aiming for the most recent 1st timer - last week we went against Portsmouth. He said "Daddy - It's the best day of my life". The fans were amazing. Even in the age of Chelski and Scumburton Grove, you can't get any better than that. COYS!
"Anonymous said...
Warm September night in 1964....White Hart Lane with 40,000 plus,St Bruno pipe smoke and oranges in the air..atmosphere electric,Greaves magical ,Birmingham lucky to get away with 4-1,a love affair begun.
Oldgaz"
Magical... thanks a mill Gaz.
Jan 21st 1961, I was 6 and my Grandad took me to see the Double side play. I had my bobble hat and the then obligatory rattle, we won 4-2 and I remember being very excited and jumping up and down on my seat, we were in the seats above the Park lane end. I had been going to reserve games occasionally since 58 when I remember seeing Maurice Norman recovering from injury and playing in the reserves. I suppose it will never be as good again but at least I got to see Greaves in his prime when I was there every week in the mid to late 60s.
1st time at the a lane was i think 98 ?? when i was stuying in london. saw us get smashed by a then 1st div Birmingham 3-0! torn my heart apart....but that was also when i just fell in love in with the lane. best memories of the lane? when we won 1-0 vs kaiseslauten the last time we were in europe before this...now back in singapore and really miss all my visits to WHL. COYS
against chelsea in 88 we won 1-0 and i think nico claesen scored
was only 9yo then and it was unbelivable, dad took me to about 25 more games in the coming seasons but i moved away and only get there 1-2 a season now
but i dont think we have beaten the blues at whl since if i can remember? does anyone know if we have
hey anon 9.06
i think you may be right. we stuffed them in the league cup bout 4/5 years ago, but no such luck i dont think in the league :-(
maybe youre the lucky omen and they are waiting for you to return before beating them again !!!
get back to the lane !
COYS
Can't remember. Would have been mid seventies ish. Vague memories of Alfie Conn and Hoddle as a teenager. Might have just caught Gilzean but that maybe false memory syndrome. Dad took me. 2nd division season was great, remember it well. 9-0, coming straight back up, John 'shakey' Lacey at the back........those were the days.
First time at the lane must have been 67/68 season. Don't remember much as I was 3/4 years old and in thse days, if you couln't get to the front ( my dad and his brothers always stood on The Shelf ) a adult would have to hold you up using the crash barriers for support. My dad used to take my older brother as much as possible a( he's a chelsea traitor) and me from time to time. I remember hating spurs goals as the lane would erupt and 50,000 celebrating fans would be deafening for a little'un like me. I don't remember many of the games or incidents from then , but players that stick out in my mind are Jennings, Knowles, Mullers, Chivers, England and Gilzean (Dad, he looks too old!!) Last time I went was 91 or 92 when we beat LeedsUtd 4-0. Goals from Sheringham and Razor Ruddock I think, and a young Nick Barmby won a penalty. Rocastle came on for Leeds and got a roasting from the crowd and ended up getting booked. RIP Rocky. I live in Australia now and keep in touch via the web.
Love this site Harry, you bring out the best in us.
11.04
Aw shucks...
thank you blockhead your posts are always so interesting and varied.
Cant remember the first game i went to as my dad started taking me when i was 3 so it would have been 76/77 season. I didn't have a season ticket, he just slipped some lucky bloke on the turnstiles a few quid and i sat on his lap. The first game i vividly remember was the first game of the 80 season win against forest. Ozzy, Villa, Hoddle, Hazard, Archibald and Crooks, Perryman etc etc. Those names still send shivers down my spine.
My favorite game at the lane has to be the second leg of the UEFA Cup Final in 84. I was 11 and loved the fact that I was still up so late. I watch the pens through my fingers and remember signing to Danny Thomas, 'we'll take more care of you Danny boy Danny boy, when he missed his. Lost my voice through sreaming, shouting, singing and crying from Park's save until i fell asleep.
I feel the Glory Days are coming back. COYS
9.47
God bless you
HH, the home of quality scribes. I'm so proud.
9;47..........
'Ozzy, Villa, Hoddle, Hazard, Archibald and Crooks, Perryman etc etc. Those names still send shivers down my spine.'
Could have sent Chivers down your spine if we lived in Punsville, Punania.......
Allo Harry Mate, after that 2 week depressing footie break am glad we can all talk about our beloved Spurs again.
New blog perhaps mate so that we can round up our thoughts on Saturday and the coming games?
BTW: Thanks for adding my comments lol, you have now christened me for your blogs as "Don Vincenzo"...congratulations, that makes you my godfather lol!
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