When Burnley take on Spurs in the Third Round of the League Cup, Turf Moor will be filled with ghosts. This is a fixture which carries a weight of history sufficient to excite anyone with an ounce of nostalgia in their soul. Although these days they’re few and far between, Burnley v Spurs matches mean something. Throughout our history we’ve had some extraordinary tussles with Spurs, stretching back to the early years of the last Century, but particularly in the early 1960s, when Burnley v Spurs matches were awaited by fans and neutrals alike as battles for supremacy between simply the two best sides of their time. And then, of course, there was that extraordinary 4-1 triumph against the fancy dans in 1983. Naturally, the London Clarets have written about many of those games. Here, we've scoured our archives to bring you a selection of what we've said about Burnley v Spurs matches over the years.
Burnley 3 Tottenham 1, 1909, FA Cup
1899-1900 was to see the Clarets relegated and the start of a dismal 13 wasted years in the Second Division at a time when there were only two divisions. But while struggling in the Second Division, the Clarets found a vein of Cup form. A convincing win at Bristol Rovers was followed by a club record 9-0 demolition of Crystal Palace. Although not yet in the Football League, Palace had knocked out Cup holders Wolves in the previous round. The third round saw the Clarets at Tottenham. At this point, Spurs were also a Second Division club, but would go on to win promotion that season. The Clarets travelled to North London and held the home team to a goalless draw, before sending the Londoners home on the back of a 3-1 defeat in the replay.
Phil Whalley, 2000
Tottenham 1 Burnley 2, 23 October 1920 / Burnley 2 Tottenham 0, 30 October 1920, First Division
...Another big London fixture awaited the Clarets the following Saturday at Tottenham, then the division's in-form team. Spurs had been the leading lights of Southern English football ever since lifting the FA Cup as a Southern League side, becoming the first non-leaguers to win the Cup. This achievement supplied much grist to the mill of those who complained that the Football League was essentially a Northern cartel that excluded many stronger Southern teams. It was true that Tottenham were a far bigger club than many of the Northern town teams who enjoyed Football League status, and they paid much higher wages too. The demands of large city clubs like Spurs, Chelsea, Bristol City and Arsenal proved irresistible, and they all gradually won Football League status in the years surrounding the turn of the century.
Although Tottenham had always struggled in the First Division, they attracted huge crowds and generally received a favourable press. This was especially evident after the Clarets went down there on October 23rd and defeated the Londoners 2-1 with an impressive display of fierce defending and counter-attacking. The Clarets had been reduced to ten men after only 20 minutes when left-back David Taylor was injured in the play that led to Spurs taking the lead. The rest of the first half had been a grim defensive struggle, with right winger Willie Nesbitt playing back in defence. Early in the second half, Joe Anderson turned the game on its head, slamming in two brilliant individual efforts in the space of three minutes. Burnley held on for an unlikely 2-1 victory, sending 45,000 North Londoners home in a dark mood.
The reaction of Fleet Street was typical, the Daily Mail whining that:
There was clear evidence at the start that the only hope of the Lancashire team was to prevent their opponents playing in their usual clever style. It meant, of course, the spoiling of the match, but evidently that did not matter so long as the points were won. Burnley, often by methods that were open to question, went out to "spoil" Tottenham most thoroughly. They also spoilt the match.
To prove that their victory had been no miscarriage of justice, the Clarets completed the double over Spurs the following week with a 2-0 victory at Turf Moor in front of 36,000 fans. The Burnley Express had wasted no time in pouring scorn on the posturing of the Daily Mail and the rest of the London press, writing on the eve of the return game with Spurs that:
The easy manner with which they have accounted for other teams led the Spurs followers to expect a repetition of previous successes. Burnley, however, brought the Rooster off his perch. The Spurs received a rude shock, and their supporters - aye, and the Pressmen too - were evidently totally unprepared for the result.
Some of the Press representatives, while describing the game as the poorest from a scientific point of view for some time, admitted that under the circumstances Burnley deserved their victory, but blame Boyle principally for the tactics employed. Well, that's all in and part of the game. If a side fails to put their opponents off their game, they must prepare themselves for defeat.
Burnley's 2-0 win over Spurs was their fourth victory in succession.
Phil Whalley, 2001
Tottenham 1 Burnley 1, 19 November 1921 / Burnley 1 Tottenham 0, 26 November 1921, First Division
...As Burnley prepared for their next game, a daunting trip to Spurs, the wife of Willie Watson fell gravely ill, ruling him out of an appearance for the English League.
At White Hart Lane, Joe Anderson rescued the Clarets with a predatory strike in a 1-1 draw, seen as a good result for a weakened Burnley team that had recalled 1914 FA Cup finalists David Taylor and John Lindsay. However, the good result in North London was tempered with the news that Willie Watson's wife had died over the weekend.
Although Burnley scraped their first win in five attempts with a 1-0 defeat of Spurs at Turf Moor, they again went down to defeat in their next game at Huddersfield. This left them hanging on to their leadership of the First Division on goal average ahead of a number of teams all threatening to mount serious challenges. ...
Phil Whalley, 2002
Tottenham 0 Burnley 1, 20 August 1955, First Division
On 20th August, the new football season started. Under Alan Brown, Burnley were steadily establishing themselves as a leading First Division side. Their opening game was at Tottenham and London Claret George Wood was among the 33,000 crowd:
This was my first game since returning from Australia some months earlier. At 2d the programme was cheap enough. It was only one folded foolscap sheet. I can’t afford programmes these days!
The programme notes included a good luck message to former Spurs players Ron Burgess, who had become manager at Swansea and Alf Ramsey, who had returned from coaching in Rhodesia to become manager at Ipswich. Burnley won the match 1-0 thanks to a cracking goal by Brian Pilkington.
The Burnley team comprised McDonald, Rudman, Winton, Adamson, Cummings, Shannon, Gray, McIlroy, Holden, Walton and Pilkington.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Burnley 2 Tottenham 0, 1 March 1960, First Division
As we came to March, Burnley manager Harry Potts announced that the home game with Spurs was:
One of the most important we have staged at Turf Moor for many years.
The London club, under Bill Nicholson, had spent over £200,000 on developing a championship-winning team. This was something akin to £20 million in today's transfer currency. Spurs had bought the fast, goal-scoring Welsh winger Cliff Jones; the muscular and dynamic Scottish left-half Dave Mackay; the subtly inventive Scottish play-maker John White (to replace diminutive Tommy Harmer) and the dependable Scottish goalkeeper Bill Brown. However, arguably their biggest asset was midfielder Danny Blanchflower, who was to become the first person to refuse to appear on 'This Is Your Life'.
The most spectacular demonstration of their power had, thus far, been reserved for Fourth Division Crewe. Spurs humiliated them 13-2 in a Fourth Round Cup replay (Les Allen scored five) that year. I can't remember British Railways ever having a forte for irony. However, they arranged for the defeated Railwaymen to leave Euston from platform 13 and to arrive back at Crewe's platform 2.
By the time Spurs came to Turf Moor, Adam Faith was in pole position with 'Poor Me', but the Londoners were not to be pitied. They were summarily dispatched with a 2-0 defeat; John Connelly and Ray Pointer were the scorers and almost 33,000 turned up. However, Spurs continued to head the First Division...
... Burnley continued to pick up points, but they were a bit off the pace, now set by Wolves. Then, on April 23rd, Spurs and Wolves faced one another at Molineux. Spurs had all but blown their chances with two consecutive home defeats over Easter. Consequently, had Wolves managed to beat Spurs, the Championship would surely have gone to them. However, on a glorious spring day, Spurs proceeded to lower the old gold standard with a dazzling display of football. It was said to be a triumph of skill over physicality, a victory for fluent passing over the long ball game. According to some, it was the performance of the season. That was, until Real Madrid's master class lit up Hampden Park, in the European Cup Final of May 1960.
Spurs' victory gave Burnley further hope, which they doggedly clung to. However, they failed to win their final home game, while Wolves were thrashing Chelsea. This meant that Burnley had to obtain maximum points from their final game at Manchester City in order to snatch the League title from Wolves' grasp...
Tim Quelch, 1999
Tottenham 4 Burnley 4, 3 December 1960, First Division
...A much better result was secured on a mud heap at White Hart Lane in early December, when Burnley came back from a 0-4 deficit to grab a point. John Connelly, who in the 38th minute managed to round off a move involving Jimmy McIlroy and Brian Pilkington, inspired the fight back. Then in the second half, Jimmy Robson and Ray Pointer closed the gap, as the game became more and more frenetic. Both Spurs and Burnley hit the post as play swung from one end to the other. It looked as if Burnley’s chance had gone when Spurs’ keeper Bill Brown made a stunning save from Brian Miller. But a sharp one-two with Robson put Connelly clear for the England winger to blast the ball past Brown. The crowd which had been in full-throated ‘Glory, Glory, Hallelujah’ rapture, were now silenced. However, had John White not fluffed an easy opportunity in the final minutes, this brilliant recovery would have proved pointless.
There were other good League results that year like the 5-3 victories over Newcastle, Wolves and Bolton, the 5-2 demolition of Arsenal at Highbury and the 4-1 beating of Nottingham Forest. However, Burnley lost too many games against mediocre and struggling sides for them to mount an effective challenge, despite beating Spurs 4-2 in the final weeks; some small compensation for their earlier FA Cup semi-final defeat.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Tottenham 4 Burnley 2, 28 October 1961, First Division
...By November 4th, Burnley had raced into a three-point lead at the head of the old First Division, having won ten of their first fourteen games. Moreover, they had scored forty-three goals in so doing. Twenty-seven of these were scored away from home! Fulham had been thumped 5-3 at Craven Cottage and Leicester and Birmingham had both been thrashed 6-2, as the away daze continued. The 2-4 defeat at Spurs had briefly arrested the momentum. But Harry Potts’ confidence was not rattled. In fact, he positively purred about the game. He said:
This game, like the corresponding one just short of a year ago, reached the heights in everything good in football and kept everyone of those fifty thousand-odd spectators in the grip of delight right through to the last kick. Among the observers of this fine football were representatives of the Dutch Champions (Feyenoord) due to meet Tottenham in the European Cup in Holland in midweek, and they did not hide their concern about the high standard this game made them appreciate they would have to face. We played some of our best football this season, and Ray Pointer fashioned it into a great start with two brilliant goals taken in international style. When two sides as good as these are in opposition, one can always be prepared for exciting fluctuations in the run of the game and just as we rallied in that memorable game at White Hart Lane eleven months ago to redress a seemingly impossible position, so Spurs found their way to a lead at the half-way stage. With only one goal in it as the game resumed, we got the sort of second half struggle that we expected. It was tremendously pulsating with the result right in the balance until Spurs managed to get through for another goal eight minutes from the end. That goal came partly as a result of our all-out effort to get on level terms, and how nearly we were to getting it when John Connelly’s shot rattled against the upright. If that shot had gone in it is interesting to think what might have happened. We thus failed to get the point which I think we certainly deserved, but why grieve about it after such a great game? Here were 22 players due for thanks of all who saw the game, and all who have pride in English soccer, for serving up such fine entertainment and playing the kind of football that will not be a long time in putting our national game right on the topmost pedestal once more. Our team received great acclaim from the spectators before, during and after the game - a tribute we shall long remember.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Burnley 1 Tottenham 3, 5 May 1962, FA Cup Final
"Why Burnley?" is the question commonly asked when telling a new acquaintance or work colleague of my football allegiance. My common stock answers are twofold. The first is "the 1962 Cup Final". However, in truth, if I analyse this statement, it just doesn’t stand up. I have never actually seen the 1962 Cup Final, the footage that’s available on the Rhapsody in Claret and Blue tape being the first time that I have even seen the goals.
I was eight at the time of that final, and although we had a television, the thing decided to go wrong on the Thursday before the game and couldn’t be fixed in time, so I listened to the commentary on the wireless (sorry, radio). I can’t remember much about it at all, except that I now realise that I was a Burnley supporter before that game; I don’t know how or why, but I was too gutted by that Cup Final defeat, even at that age, to be anything else.
So it must be the second reason that I give which is nearer the truth, even though I feel that I made it up in order to accommodate people’s desire for answers. That reason is that at the time (early sixties) Burnley and Tottenham were the best two teams in the country, most kids of my age support the best, many of my friends were Spurs supporters, I wanted to be different, and so chose, and stuck, with Burnley. Whatever the reasons at the start, 40 years later I am convinced that Burnley in fact chose me.
Danny West, 2001
FA Cup Final Saturday 1962 remained grey and murky all day. Traditionally, it was the occasion to celebrate the best in English football, although many of the preceding finals had proved quite disappointing, with serious injuries marring the contests in 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1961. I prepared for the Cup Final in the accustomed way. I had my friends round and we pulled the curtains early in order to watch all the preliminaries: the interviews with the players, their wives, their in-laws, with people who might have seen them once down the pub, interviews with fans on Wembley way. There were the highlights on the road to Wembley; the games, the goals, the drama, the passion, the hyperboles, the gold-plated platitudes. Somehow, these qualifying games seemed unconnected with the big occasion. It was very difficult reconciling these dark, claustrophobic, muddy tussles with what was about to take place on the spacious, bowling green surface of Wembley.
All in all, it was a four-hour build-up, stuffed with total but compelling bollocks. Stuck in the small back room with several pubescent bodies loading up on junk food. The pulled curtains helping to incubate the intense, sweaty aroma. It was all too much for the dog. He didn't know which moist crotch he really wanted to shove his snout into. The choice was bacchanalian. My dad had to drag it out before it would settle down.
Finally, we got through the build-up, the contrived emotion of 'Abide with Me', the Royal introductions and the game started. Three minutes later Burnley were behind. Spurs goalkeeper Bill Brown cleared long into the Burnley half, burly Bobby Smith headed on and Greaves squirmed past Tommy Cummings and Brian Miller, before half-hitting his shot just inside Adam Blacklaw’s left post. My friends cheered. They held no torch for Spurs. I knew that. It was a blatant wind-up, but I still glowered at them, snatching away the remaining crisps. Bloody Greaves! The worst possible opponent.
Burnley were struggling for most of the first half. They couldn't seem to get going. Jimmy McIlroy was repeatedly robbed. The Burnley forwards looked flat-footed. Spurs were totally in charge. Then just before half time, the balance of power began to shift. Burnley weren't just there to make up the numbers, after all. John Connelly began to make progress on the right wing. Ray Pointer began to enjoy better possession. They were still behind at the break, but there was more reason to be cheerful. I decided that I would stop freezing out my friends.
After the interval, it got better. With just five minutes gone, Gordon Harris beat Spurs full back Peter Baker on the left wing. His fast, low centre hit Jimmy Robson's shins as he ran in. The ball flashed into the net before goalkeeper Bill Brown could move. Unspeakable joy! But there was hardly time to make a dig at my friends before Spurs were back in front. John White ghosted past McIlroy and John Angus, before floating over a perfect centre for Smith, who swivelled and blasted the ball past Blacklaw. I knew then that it was hopeless. It wasn't going to happen. Burnley continued to fight and came close to equalising once more, but to no avail. Quite predictably, Spurs finished it off, with ten minutes remaining. Blacklaw made a hash of a cross (it was later claimed that he was fouled), Spurs winger Terry Medwin shot at goal and Cummings handled. A penalty. Blanchflower strolled forward, placed the ball carefully on the spot and coolly sent Blacklaw the wrong way.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Burnley 7 Tottenham 2, 21 April 1964, First Division
...Burnley would ultimately finish in 9th position but in mid December they were only four points behind the current front runners, Leeds. Highlights of the season were the FA Cup run, the double over Blackburn, the respective thrashings of Manchester United (6-1) and Spurs (7-2) and the draw away at Stoke (4-4), where Burnley came back from a 3-0 deficit...
Tim Quelch, 1996
Tottenham 5 Burnley 0, 30 March 1968, First Division
...And of course, there was our annual thrashing by Spurs (0-5). In the period 1967-71, Burnley would concede twenty goals and score none during their four visits to White Hart Lane.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Tottenham 7 Burnley 0, 7 September 1968, First Division
...The 0-7 defeat at White Hart Lane on 7 September was particularly traumatic. Spurs were four up at the interval. It was a personal triumph for Jimmy Greaves, though. Not only did he help himself to a hat-trick, he also laid on two of the other goals for Cliff Jones and Jimmy Robertson as well. A rampaging Martin Chivers completed the damage. The News of the World reported that Burnley were:
Torn apart by quick fire raiding. Their chief reply was a brand of tackling which won them no friends and brought many free kicks.
The People exonerated only Andy Lochhead, Brian O'Neil and Ralph Coates. Keith McNee of the Burnley Express and News was less generous. He concluded:
Thomson had another poor game but Bert Trautmann and Lev Yashin together would have had a job to stem the wave of attacks which so easily penetrated a brittle defence. Angus is not the player he was by a long, long way and Latcham also had an awful game. Merrington tried hard but failed miserably in his attempt to snuff out Greaves. Bellamy, though rather weak in some respects, made more impact than the monumentally disappointing O'Neil. He seems to cover a lot of ground, but like many of these Clarets, always seems to be where the ball has just been. Coates is also struggling. There is no thrust, no confidence about his game and Thomas, at 17, was a much more effective winger.
Jimmy Adamson had been placed in charge while Harry Potts was sizing up new talent. After the game Adamson mused, "To think we used to enjoy playing at Tottenham."
Tim Quelch, 1999
Tottenham 4 Burnley 0, 7 November 1970, First Division
...The euphoria was short-lived as Spurs crushed Burnley 4-0 on the following Saturday. Martin Chivers scored a brace. Jimmy Adamson said:
Ironically on a day when things were going so well at home (the return of Mellor, Dobson and Jones in a reserve fixture), we suffered another heavily disappointing result on a ground that has become almost a graveyard for us. Not only did we lose 4-0, but we returned with Michael Docherty nursing a painful ankle strain. We were in the game for an hour and could have had a couple of goals but then Tottenham got well on top and the hopes of our young and enthusiastic players were sadly crushed. It is always a hard match at Tottenham and currently they are something special – only Leeds have looked to me a better, more professionally efficient side.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Tottenham 2 Burnley 3, 5 October 1974, First Division
It is a cool day of sunshine and showers. The midfield of Billy Ingham, Doug Collins and Brian Flynn is a revelation. Ingham works his socks off. Flynn has a lovely touch, clever on the ball, nice distribution. Collins is fantastic. Terrific vision, creating space, finding incredible openings. Ian Brennan set us going, though. His perfectly placed centre causes Mike England to concede the first. John Pratt then adds a second own goal, deflecting Paul Fletcher’s shot past Jennings. Two-nil up inside 17 minutes and looking good. What’s more, had Pat Jennings not made two terrific saves from Peter Noble and Billy Rodaway, Burnley would be out of sight by the break. I’m gloating. Pay back time at last for those drubbings in the late sixties. But remember, this is Burnley. Foul ups are a part of the heritage. True to form they let Spurs back in. Both Pratt and England make amends. Two headers and it’s 2-2. Now Spurs go after the win. But Beal’s dismissal pulls the rug. Then Jennings saves brilliantly from Rodaway. It looks like a draw. Flynn has other ideas. He caps a fabulous afternoon by carving out an inviting chance for Leighton James. Taffy doesn’t disappoint. A left-footed drive clips Pratt’s heel and leaves Jennings helpless. Brilliant.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Burnley 3 Tottenham 2, 12 April 1975, First Division
Today Burnley have their slice of national publicity. They and Spurs are on Match Of The Day. It’s a good game, too, on a dismal, wet afternoon. Ray Hankin is ruled out so Derrick Parker gets another chance. Burnley are off to a flier. Peter Noble combines well with Parker and his flying header beats Jennings. Then ‘Uwe’ breaks free through the inside right channel and thumps a drive past the Irishman. However, the 2-0 interval lead is quickly erased as first John Duncan and then Steve Perryman blast in two fierce drives. Driven on by Ralph Coates, Spurs are now firmly in charge. It looks odds on an away victory. Leighton James has other ideas. His seventh penalty of the season is put away with total assurance. Despite further defensive scares, Burnley cling on. Just. It keeps Burnley in seventh position. Europe isn’t quite yet out of the question.
Tim Quelch, 2000
Spurs 2 Burnley 1, 29 November 1975, First Division
This was too much. We started well. Midway through the first half, Ray Hankin scrambled us into the lead after Pat Jennings and his defenders had got their wires crossed. We seemed capable of holding our advantage, too. Even Ralph Coates couldn’t get Spurs going and with Paul Fletcher complementing Hankin’s aerial power, Willie Young and Co were given a difficult time. Then before the interval we lost two players to injury. Doug Collins was thought to have suffered a second leg fracture (he hadn’t) and Paul Bradshaw replaced him. Shortly afterwards, Willie Morgan was carried off. Even insipid Spurs with their poor home record were able to make the numerical advantage count (only one substitute was allowed then). Duncan buried two chances, leaving us to chalk up our fifth League defeat in a row. Thank God November was over.
Tim Quelch, 2001
Burnley 1 Spurs 2, 20 March 1976, First Division
On this perversely bright afternoon the light went out after one of the limpest performances of the season. There was no conviction, no fight. Spurs were gifted the points. Following goals from Duncan and Pratt the visitors were well in control. Colin Waldron’s drive from the edge of the box should have sparked a late rally. It didn’t. Waldron hardly acknowledged his effort. His colleagues looked equally disinterested. Heads bowed, they and we knew it was all over.
Tim Quelch, 2001
Tottenham 3 Burnley 0, 5 November 1977 / Burnley 2 Spurs 1, 1 April 1978, Second Division
After the 0-3 defeat at Spurs on November 5th, Burnley were rock bottom with just five points from fourteen games. Bristol Rovers were placed immediately above them with eleven points, and this was the side that had capitulated so pathetically at Spurs (0-9). It could hardly have been grimmer...
...Easter Monday was quite different. On a bright, breezy afternoon, Donna Summer’s I Feel Love seemed to waft around Ewood. So did Terry Cochrane’s shot. For it twisted and curled on the wind before nestling in the corner of the net behind John Butcher. It was enough (1-0). A hard fought draw at Bloomfield Road (1-1) on the following day almost ensured safety, and earned Harry Potts a Bell’s Manager of the Month award. Burnley were playing with style now, and on April 1st they were good enough to end promotion-bound Spurs’ unbeaten run of nineteen games (2-1)...
Tim Quelch, 1999
Spurs 1 Burnley 4, 19 January 1983, League Cup Quarter Final
At the end of the 1981/82 season Burnley had won promotion as Champions of Division Three, Billy Hamilton playing a major part. The following season was a disaster as the Clarets were relegated once more despite playing some good football and progressing well in both cups. They reached the semi-final of the League Cup with Billy playing his best game for the Clarets in a 4-1 away win at Tottenham in the Quarter Final. Unfortunately, I was a poor student in the midst of mock 'A' levels and had to listen to Radio Blackburn's live second half commentary whilst supposedly revising. If I remember correctly, all the goals came in the second half. Tottenham scored first, Billy scored two and Graham Roberts scored two own goals. I just remember the commentator, David Jones I think it was, being completely drowned out by the noise every time Burnley scored. O Joyous Day!
Steve Corrigan, 1996
Still recalled by many as their favourite game ever. Burnley were bottom of the Second Division when they went to face Ardiles, Hoddle, Clemence and co, only four days after losing 3-0 at Bolton and with manager Brian Miller leaving the club on the morning of the match. 'What's it like to lose a war?' rang out at little Ossie, and Burnley showed some of the Falklands spirit by battling through a goalless first half. Gibson's goal seemed to signal the end, but in that incredible last half hour, we scored four times, including two own goals from Graham Roberts to give that amazing final scoreline. I can remember almost every detail, i.e. the apple core thrown at Glenn Hoddle when he took a corner at 2-1, the half time records on the tannoy (Joe Jackson's 'Stepping Out' and 'Catcharpaya' by Incantation) and the disappointment that Man Utd STILL got more headlines than us in the next day's papers. An unbelievable night.
Tony Dawber, 1994
On the same day that Burnley were due to play Spurs at White Hart Lane in the quarter final of the Milk Cup, Chairman John Jackson sacked Brian Miller. It was Brian’s forty sixth birthday. Jackson explained:
We are nine points adrift in the relegation battle. We have lost more League games than any other Football League club. Of our last eleven away League games, we have drawn one and lost ten. It is an appalling situation. A decision was therefore made to change the manager. The next and last question relates to the timing of the announcement. Bearing all things in mind, we took the view that nothing could happen at Tottenham which would make an appointment after the game more sensible.
Frank Casper was put in temporary charge of team affairs with immediate effect, while Brian Miller was left to consider his future. There was the prospect of alternative employment with the club, but this hardly cushioned the blow. But Brian bore his bitter disappointment with quiet dignity. When asked to account for his feelings, he acknowledged that his dismissal came as a shock but he made no excuses, no accusations. He calmly pointed out:
It’s up to the directors to choose the manager – your life is in their hands.
He preferred to concentrate on the outcome of the Spurs game. He admitted that he wanted to go to Spurs but felt that it might be:
A bit embarrassing… (for all concerned)… After being the boss anything else is a little difficult… I don’t know if I shall go but I shall say a little prayer for them.
His prayers were answered.
The miracle came on a day when two policemen were charged with shooting Stephen Waldorf. The parlous state of British shipbuilding had again been emphasised by the day’s announcement that 1,837 jobs would go by March. A suspect device had been found in the Tory Party HQ in Leeds just a few hours before Margaret Thatcher’s planned visit, and the isolation of North East Lancashire stood to be increased by the Serpell Committee’s plans to axe all local BR lines in the area.
It is fair to say that Spurs contributed to their own downfall. Their manager Keith Burkinshaw said:
(Our defence) played like pure novices. They were running around crackers with no discipline at all. But we’ve got to take it on the chin – and good luck to Burnley.
Despite having Ossie Ardiles back after the Falklands crisis, despite having enjoyed a three-year unbeaten home record in Cup competitions, despite having most of the play in this tie and despite taking a 46th minute lead, Spurs crashed 4-1. Certainly, it looked like business as usual when both Mike Phelan and Willie Donachie failed to clear Mabbutt’s long throw, allowing Terry Gibson to blast the ball into the net from only six yards. Spurs turned up the heat and Alan Stevenson did well to save from Ardiles and Hoddle. Then, in the 65th minute, Spurs gave Burnley a lifeline. Roberts met Kevin Young’s cross from the right, but fortunately for the Clarets, it slewed off his forehead and flashed into the corner of the net (1-1).
Then it was Clemence’s turn to commit hare kiri. Having raced out of his goal to intercept a through ball from Brian Flynn, he tried to place a pass along the touchline, instead of booting the ball into the stand. Young seized on his mistake and lobbed towards goal, forcing Clemence to handle outside his area. Clemence should have been dismissed for illegally preventing a goal, but wasn’t. Nevertheless justice was done immediately. The resulting free kick, taken by Kevin Young, pierced the Spurs wall and deflected off Ardiles to Taylor. Steve Taylor’s quick sideways flick resulted in Billy Hamilton stabbing home from point blank range. Steve Archibald could have still turned it around for Spurs, but his well struck 25-yard drive went just inches wide. Then in the 85th minute, as Spurs pushed up, Derek Scott released Taylor down the right wing. Taylor ran 50 yards before cutting in along the by-line and hitting a low cross into the goal area. Roberts lunged to block the danger but only succeeded in diverting the ball past Clemence at his near post. The best, however, was reserved for last. Again, Hamilton demonstrated his power and speed by outpacing the Spurs’ defence to get on the end of another astute through ball from Flynn.
Nodding the ball down and beyond O’Reilly, the last Spurs defender, Billy proceeded to lash the ball past Clemence from 20 yards (4-1). Thank you and good night.
Frank Casper said:
It was down to individual contests in midfield – Scott v Mabbutt, Flynn v Villa, Steven v Ardiles, and Young v Hoddle, and we came out on top.
Frank can be forgiven this over-euphoric analysis, for whatever complexion you put on it, this was one of Burnley’s greatest results. Frank’s comments to the Daily Mirror were more grounded, though:
Frankly, I would rather swap it for a victory on Saturday in the League.
Tim Quelch, 1999
I lost it when we beat Tottenham 4-1... in the League Cup. It was the day when Brian Miller got sacked as manager. I lost it then.
Alastair Campbell interview, transcribed by Phil Whalley
Burnley 0 Spurs 0, 22 September 1993, League Cup Second Round First Leg
We put in a good performance even though the final result was 0-0. The atmosphere was excellent, with everyone trying their best to get behind the players. Spurs showed touches of class and Samways was for me by far their best player. I thought we had several great individual performances, and one great all round team effort.
Adrian Heath and Kevin Russell made several good runs, and it was only a superb saving last ditch tackle by Calderwood that prevented Heath from opening the scoring midway through the first half. Our excellent early season form was again on show and they certainly knew they were in a game.
The game was very nearly set alight in the second half when Adrian Randall, after playing a neat one-two, had his firmly hit shot very well saved by Walker in the Spurs goal.
There were other chances which came and went, but the much prayed for goal just didn’t materialise, although on balance of play we certainly deserved one.
When the final whistle went the players were applauded off the pitch by a very appreciative audience. It was a great evening, and it was great to be there and see the ground full.
Steve Wain, 1993
The game was that rare thing, an enjoyable 0-0 draw. The support generated exactly the atmosphere you'd hope for. I seem to recall some Sheringham-baiting, although he was to pay us back for that in the Second Leg. Make no mistake, this was no easy gave for Spurs. If anyone deserved a goal, it was us. Adrian Heath's combination of trickery and experience meant that he was always a handful for them. For Spurs, Mabbutt impressed. But also in defence there was a young lad playing one of his first games for Spurs. He looked gawky and clumsy, and we marked him down as a donkey. His name? Sol Campbell.
Firmo, 2002
The first leg had been a marvellous game. Burnley had frightened the life out of Spurs. Only Thorstvedt's legs and a terrific tackle from Mabbutt had denied Adrians Randall and Heath, although in fairness, Sheringham's shot had clipped the inside of our post and run harmlessly across the face of goal. Sheringham would do better in that electrifying return leg, but so would Burnley.
Tim Quelch, 1999
Spurs 3 Burnley 1, 6 October 1993, League Cup Second Round Second Leg
...A pattern was being set that would last for most of the season. It was so schizoid. Dave Parker summed it all up when he wrote:
The contrast between home and away performances has been startling; at home, confidence abounds, the ball has been passed to feet, space found, superb crosses put in and wonderful goals scored. Away, there is no space, long balls are hoofed out of defence to Rooster, John Francis and Inchy, and the opposing strikers are allowed glaring gaps.
There was a magnificent exception. It came on a magical evening at White Hart Lane...
...White Hart Lane seemed more like the National Theatre than a football ground, a place for 'football consumers' rather than supporters. Perhaps they didn't rate us. Perhaps the whole place was anaemic with corporate hospitality and well-heeled indifference. Whatever the reason, the Spurs fans hardly figured. We, on the other hand, were up for this in a big way, refusing all instructions to sit down. Sheringham's terrific strike just pulled us closer together. That goal prompted a massive response, crushing the effete home cheers. From then on, there was no let up. The vociferous support never weakened. Our rasping vocals blasted out throughout the first half, throughout the second half and into the night. The force remained undiminished. It was a huge display of collective passion. Although Burnley lost, we didn't. None of those Spurs supporters would look at us on the train home. They were too embarrassed. We cared more and they knew it.
Tim Quelch, 1999
The whistle went, and party time had begin. But after about three minutes we were one down. Later when they showed the extended highlights on Carlton TV (which lasted about thirty seconds – they couldn’t show more as they had to show Man United against Stoke, that famous local London derby) the goal looked quite good, even if Sheringham did score it.
At this point my initial fears of a drubbing were being realised. I think that went for most of the thousands of Clarets who had assembled, because it was now that we all broke out into song. Before any Spurs fans even had chance to squeak a cheer out, the Burnley contingent were making their presence known. If we weren’t going to win, we might as well sing!
It must have worked, because after about ten minutes and a mix up in the Spurs defence, David Eyres put the ball away to give us something to really cheer about.
We were now in the mood for the fight. The game transformed in an instant, and we went at them with all guns blazing. A lot of the game is a blur to me as for what and when things exactly happened, as the occasion was getting to me, but several players were outstanding. None more so than Kevin Russell. Woody described it as the best performance he’d seen by a Burnley player for yeas, and he’s seen most of them. A true commendation.
At half time we were wondering whether we could keep the momentum going. The answer to that one was yes. We were playing football of great skill, and Spurs were really fortunate to keep the score to one all. But we needed to be able to turn that kind of possession into something tangible at the end. The game ironically turned soon after Caskey elbowed Les Thompson and was sent off. It should have given us extra heart but it was extra legs that were required. We were playing with all the heart and passion possible, but unfortunately we ran out of steam.
When Howells scored to make it two one, the writing was on the wall. We had nothing left. As the game neared its close nearly all the Clarets were embedded in the Spurs half in search of just reward, only to find Spurs break and Sheringham conclude the contest to make the score three one in injury time. The game was lost. We were out of the cup, but if Spurs have many encounters like this one they will certainly have had one hell of a nerve-wracking season.
My memories of the occasion are simple. The support given to the players was superb. From the moment we were one down, we never stopped singing. As soon as one song finished another one started, and everyone was proud to be a Claret. At the final whistle cries of ‘Jimmy Mullen’s Claret and Blue Army’ echoed from the Burnley end in unison, and after the initial departure of some supporters, the vast majority of us stayed for 25 minutes. The tempo of the chant did not alter one jot. The only other people in the stadium were some press men and some bemused stewards. We were not going home until... Jimmy Mullen eventually came out to rapturous applause and the volume was turned up to its limit. Mullen stood there and waved and showed his appreciation. He then showed his emotion as he left the pitch in tears, with Frank Teasdale offering his support.
Steve Wain, 1993
My son Tom came with me to Tottenham, the team that for me will ever be most closely associated with Burnley. I saw an epic 4-3 FA Cup tie loss there. I saw a 7-2 victory at Turf Moor, Andy Lochhead scoring five, but best of all I saw Burnley, 2-0 down at half time, win 4-2 in Spurs’ double year.
The ground has changed beyond all recognition. It’s a little antiseptic feeling, but a brilliant arena to watch football in, and what a match we saw. Burnley were superb and really could have won. It was an amazing game where Kevin Russell simply dazzled. Caskey’s foul on Les Thompson deserved the red card, but generally it was like watching a different sport. There was so little physical contact and yet bags of energy and passion. Both sides created bewildering triangles of passes and overlaps that just took the breath away. Am I finally seeing the light?
We stayed twenty minutes or so chanting for Jimmy until he finally appeared.
Andrew Bolton, 1993
Burnley v Spurs, 6 November 2002, League Cup Third Round
Watch this space...
