Did you know?
64 years ago, today marks the day Bill Nicholson was appointed as Tottenham Hotspur manager. Hailed as the club’s greatest-ever manager, Nicholson managed Spurs during their most successful period in the club’s history. The club won 8 trophies under his stewardship, entertaining fans across the country and in Europe.
- Goals galore – Barring the fact Nicholson was a serial winner, he was also an entertainer. His football surprised many when he took the Spurs job, with the Lilywhites suddenly becoming a team littered with goals. This reign was epitomised by the 13-2 win over Crewe Alexandra in the 1959-60 season, which still remains the club’s record win to this day.
- History Makers – Arguably Nicholson’s greatest achievement as a manager was winning the 1963 European Cup Winners Cup, defeating Atletico Madrid 5-1. In doing so they became the first-ever English side to win a European trophy.
- FA Cup heroics – at the end of 1967, Nicholson’s Spurs side defeated London rivals Chelsea to win their third FA Cup in seven years.
- History makers…yet again – In the same year, Spurs wrote their name into the history books, when they were crowned league and FA Cup champions – in which they became the first English side of the 20th century, to complete the double.
- A keen eye for talent – despite leaving the club in 1974, he returned to the club two years later as a consultant, advising manager Keith Burkinshaw. His time as a scout saw him recommend players such as Gary Mabbutt and Graham Roberts, who both went on to become club legends.
Sadly, I am not old enough to remember these times, but I sure do wish I was alive to see Spurs win all those trophies!
12 hours posted and nary a comment. What a funny–in a sad way–site VS has become. Once the most vital site for Spurs supporters in more than name. How the might regress to the mean.
Bill Nicholon. If only Mr. Conte could emulate that man!
TK Very sad but many of the posters may not have been around to see some of the style we played then .
My favourite match was the 63 cup final where I was behind the goal where Jimmy G scored in the 3rd minute .
my father in celebration of the win bought us an ice cream !!!
How times have changed from the innocent , non swearing and minus yid chants period .
At 15 I could travel to WHL talking to some opposition supporters without the vitriol and bile we now have to listen to . I used to take my wife with no problems but now ?
I know the arguments posters will raise and make comments against my post but I have fantastic memories of the 60s and 70s as a Tottenham supporter .
Allan …. I think you’ll find it was the 62 Final, mate.
Allan, PL football is way more safer and family friendly than it ever was in the 1960’s and 70’s. And with nowhere near as much “bile and vitriol” as you put it.
I was there throughout the 60’s and 70’s, as a child. Home and away. Football violence amongst rival supporters was rife, inside and outside the grounds, all over the country… And it was brutal. These days, it’s a rarity.
Footballs history of “hooliganism” for example, actually dates back to the 1800’s. And so It was nothing new, when I was first witnessing it.
I think you’ll find that there are far more women and young girls at PL matches than ever in the past. And a lot more ethnic minorities too.
Out of curiosity, in what year were you 15? And at what time were you then feeling comfortable in taking your wife to matches?
I should have said that I was there from the late 60’s, etc….
And in the late 60’s, it was rival supporters that were chanting the Yid word at Spurs supporters. Often accompanied by hissing sounds to suggest Nazi gas chambers. Now that was brutal.
This was at a time when racism and violence among large and organised groups of football supporters, went hand in hand. And THFC supporters were no different. (Albeit, in a minority).
Damn, I only came on here to view and comment on tonights CL match. But there is no thread for it!
Sorry for the depressing tone of my posts. But sadly, it’s all too true…
HT you are so right with the use of the Yid word and hissing towards us by all fans esp Spam and Chavs shits.
I remember, forget date now, 70-71 season I think, we were away at Spam, the usual Yid words and hissing was going on as per normal, but then as if fully orchestrated the Spurs fans reversed it on the Spam shits by Singing/Chanting “Yid Army” it brought a tear mate, we’ve owned the wording ever since.
As for tonights game v the German Sausage lot, bring it on! a good win for us, 4-0 COYS
Did I just read that the Double happened in 1967 (See 3 & 4)?
I’m sorry but I enjoyed going to the matches in the 60s rather than those prior to the demolition of the old WHL .
My middle daughter refused to go to any more matches after hearing and experiencing the constant unnecessary swearing and chanting .
When I was 16 I went to the matches and 7 years later got married and took my wife to a few matches in the early 70s .
However we all have our memories and I will remember the 60s and early 70s with pleasure , fondness and pride in our team .
Sorry Geof you are absolutely correct 62 it was .
Allan, I wasn’t referring to the style of football we were playing back then. (I loved going to the matches at that time too). I was pointing to the extreme violence and racism that was all too rife during that time, at football matches all over the country. It was part and parcel of the game back then. And through to the 90’s.
If you and your wife didn’t notice all of this, then it seems that the football itself must’ve been so incredible as to have made the all too frequent bad stuff invisible to you both.
Anyway, as far as I have witnessed these past 60 odd years of my life, women and girls swear too! 😉 Especially when watching the Spurs! Haha!