As we prepare for back-to-back visits from North London’s two sides let’s begin by looking at Pompey’s record entertaining the boys from White Hart Lane.
This will be league encounter number eighteen, Pompey have won seven with six draws and four wins for Spurs. Despite both clubs having spells in lower league all of these games have been in the top flight.
Tight
Once again our story starts in 1927 (I am so tired of typing that) when Pompey reached Division One and in September they beat Spurs 3-0 and the Park. The score was repeated at the Lane in March 1928 and Spurs were relegated at the end of the season. The First Division table makes interesting reading for that season with only 16 points separating Champions Everton from rock bottom Middlesbrough. Pompey finished 20th but three more wins (only six points in those days) would have seen us in forth place. I believe that was the most truncated table in history and the double over Spurs saved us and sealed the Londoners fate.
Spurs were back in 1933 and achieved their first Fratton win in October by a single goal. After only two seasons Sours were relegated again and our paths would not cross again until Pompey were champions of England. Spurs who had won the Second Division thumped Pompey 5-1 in London and in March 1951 the return game was a 1-1 draw. Spurs went on that season to win their first Championship taking the famous old trophy from Pompey who had held it for the previous two years.
During the 1950’s Spurs managed two wins at the Park but the following season Pompey had their revenge with 4-1 (in 1955) and 5-1 (in 1957) wins. Pompey were relegated in 1959 and our paths went separate ways. Spurs lost their Division One status in 1977 for four years but Pompey were floundering in Divisions Three and Four at the time.
Spurs in fact made only one league visit to Fratton between 1958 and 2003 that being in November 1987 when the two sides played out the only goalless draw (oh no I hear you say) in the fixtures history. Kevin Dillon missed a late penalty.
On Boxing Day 2003 two Patrik Berger goals sealed a much need three points but it is the next game, which I will remember with great fondness.
Tears
On 18th October 2004 just as I was getting ready to leave for the game I had a phone call telling me I had become a granddad for the first time. With tear in eye I headed for the White House (out of convenience) to meet the family for a quick slurp before going off to the game. Pompey celebrated with a 1-0 win, Yakubu scoring the only goal. My grandson spent his first night listening to the Pompey chimes from his cot in St Mary’s Hospital. After the game it was straight home to see the first photos of the new addition to the family.
Strange coincidence there, both my son and grandson were born in October and Pompey won the next game, both under lights 1-0!!
Tickets
The Tottenham games that most of us over 35 will remember were the League Cup Fourth round replays in 1985. After a goalless draw at the Lane, the first replay became a farce because of the fact that although the game was not all ticket some terrace ticket had been sold in advance.
The scenes of chaos and panic in the lanes around the north and east of the ground will never be forgotten by those present as even after a delayed kick off the gates were shut with a large number of ticket-holders locked out!! Chairman John Deacon took the blame and after winning the toss for the venue of the second replay made the game all ticket.
On 10 December with a Herculean effort Pompey prevailed with a Noel Blake goal just before half time. Great defending in the second period under intense Spurs pressure was needed to secure the win.
In the FA Cup Tottenham have visited the Park twice. Few will forget the fifth round tie in 1991 when Paul Gascoigne inspired Spurs to a 2-1 win after being a goal down at half-time. The other meeting was back in 1937 when Spurs – mid table Division 2 came to Pompey – mid table Division 1 and won 5-0!!
Teasers
Firstly one asked, who played in goal for Pompey in that 1991 Cup clash?
And one question answered – why Hotspur? The club was formed in 1882 by members of All Hallows Church – who had previously formed the Hotspur Cricket Club. It is thought that Hotspur came from the Shakespearian character Harry Hotspur (Henry IV Part 1) who had lived locally and his family were still local landowners.
How will this Saturday’s game finish? Enter your prediction here.
Written by eastneydave.
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