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It really is 50 years ago today that Tottenham
became the first team in modern football to win
the League Championship and F.A.Cup in the same
season. Ours was known as The Double, not a double,
not another double, just The Double.
The older I get the more I start to wonder whether
I will ever see anything like that team at WHL?
What I would really like to know is what THFC Plc
are doing or have done to mark this unique event.
Before the start of this season I contacted various
people at the club to see if anything had been planned
to commemorate the 50th anniversary. I had even
gone as far as suggesting that a match could have
been assigned as a 'testimonial celebration'. A great
way of making sure that such a brilliant achievement
was properly recognised, and maybe making a few
quid for the remaining players.
During the course of interviewing players for The Ghost
Of White Hart Lane, one thing that struck me was the
dignity of those players. These were the guys who shaped
the history of Tottenham Hotspur, the real legends, who
gave our club glory. I can still remember Bobby Smith
saying to me that the one thing he wanted to see this
season was for the club to mark their achievements in some
way, something that would be 'right and proper'. Sadly,
Bob along with many others, will not get his wish.
I've been told that there were various discussions
within the club, but it was felt that anything they did
would be 'setting a precedent'. As if winning The Double
wasn't enough of a precedent!
There had recently been plans by the Tottenham Tribute
Trust to hold a celebration dinner at a hotel in King's
Cross at the end of this month, but these have now been
cancelled. No reason was given, however tickets were very
briefly advertised at about £180 a head.
Spurs as a club could have been really positive about any
events to commemorate The Double, but seemingly have
chosen to put profit and loss above history and tradition!

The Why word?

You wouldn't let it lie...is all I hear in my
head.
As someone who considers himself to be a
'friend' of the Spurs Show, I'm finding it hard
to pluck up the enthusiasm to listen to the
latest offering. It features David Baddiel and
his crusade (not the best choice of words, but
hey), against the use of the Y word. I know that
it's slightly old news but he bought it up again.
Something about the whole campaign really gets
my back up, and I'm not sure why (Y)?
Part of me thinks that surely as a 'high' profile
Jewish figures in the media, David Baddiel
(and his brother), must have more important judaisic
issues to campaign about.
As someone who is follically challenged I don't take
offence everytime someone refers to Howard Webb as
a bald C**T. Agreed, it's different, but there are PC
similarities.
Maybe it's the PC thing that bothers me, and I can
forsee a future where football grounds are shut
down by the PC police, after fans were found guilty
of chanting 'We're by far the greatest team the world
has ever seen' when quite obviously they never were
the greatest team the world had ever seen!
I'm confused. I think it's this wedding!

That was the week that was...

Sunday 6th: Playing in SpursShow v Spurs Legend*
charity football game, suddenly I'm marking Mark
Falco and best mates with Anthony Costa. We got
stuffed and Spurs drew 3-3 with Wolves
Monday 7th: Could hardly walk, but felt good
knowing that David Howells had only scored 4
goals.
Tuesday 8th: Watching The Ghost Of White Hart
Lane march up the Amazon charts #1 Football
Biogs, and around #450 in bestsellers Books. I'm
told that my appearance on Radio4 Today Prog is
going to be bought forward to tomorrow.
Wednesday 9th: Address to the nation on BBC Radio
4 at 8.25 a.m. It's such a surreal experience, and I
manage not to cry or swear. My phone goes into
melt down afterwards, and I do a piece for BBC1
Reporting Scotland, Radio Scotland Newsdrive, and
a great interview with Peter Allen on 5 Live. Then on
to WHL for another glory, glory night!
Thursday 10th: Book launch day, lots of calls and
emails then on to watch Warhorse, which was great.
Friday 11th: Watched Reporting Scotland.
Saturday 12th: Articles in Guardian, Times and I did
another live radio sedtion for Off The Ball...Ghost is
out of stock at Amazon and creeping up the ratings!
Nearly in the top 100! first 5 star rating on Amazon...
I'm sick of hearing about me, and wondering how celebs
do it....only kidding dahlings!
* When I told my mum I was playing she said which side
are you on? Aah bless!

They want to be adored?

I must admit to being slightly miffed at
having some of our thunder stolen by
The Arse on wednesday. Like a child
demanding attention they screamed
"Yes, but look at me, look at me!".
I think that part of the problem is that
no-one likes them, but they DO care.
They really, really want to be adored,
(cue The Stone Roses).
Mr Wenger has managed to produce
some of the most unlikeable players
that have ever played the game.
Spiteful, whinging, ungracious, are
all words that could easily be used
to describe the culture of Le Professor.
Yes he undeniably has some very good
footballers, but what's with the attitude?
I'm positive that there must be a few of the
'thinking' fans at The Emirates who look at
Sir H of Sandbanks, and the media following
that he has garnered, with immense envy.

Hang on lads I've got an idea...

I so enjoyed last night, that it has stirred me
into re-blogging.
I feared the worst and hoped for a draw
never really thinking that we would only
go and blow the bleedin doors off!
I thought that everyone stood strong and
really showed how good they can be.
I was thinking this morning how clever Lord
H of Sandbanks was in making us look shocking
v Fulham. Weekend off for everyone!
Someone needs to show Lennon re runs of
the final attack and ball to Crouch because if
he could do that all the time then Bale can
rest and rest!
I love the way people just keep waiting for us
to screw up and how we just keep letting them
down.
Let's hope that we can keep things going and
plan for the second leg...
I'm proposing a gladiator style contest at half
time in the second leg where Joe jordan takes
on Gattuso. I'd love to hear Paul Coyte talk us
through that one...

Different era...

Sad to mark the death of Ralph Coates. I was lucky
enough to have met him earlier this year and can
only say what a really great, genuine guy he was.
I was there in 1973 when he scored that goal and
exposed my young ears to the Spurs roar at Wembley.
One of the great things about him was that there
was no way that he could be described as looking
like a sporting god, but boy what a footballer.
Quite apt that we were drawn v AC Milan today,
as of course Ralph was part of the side that beat
them in 1971/72
Rest in peace Ralph. Great hair for an angel!