My interview with former Spurs man Guy Butters:

Guy Butters played over 35 times for Spurs during the late 1980’s to early 1990’s, a centre half by trade Butters was a product of Tottenham’s famous youth academy. And went on to enjoy a hugely successful career with the likes of Portsmouth and Brighton following his departure from the club in 1990. Guy kindly agreed to doing an interview with me about his time at the lilywhites, and his memories of his career are both fascinating and insightful.

What are your memories from your time at Spurs?

Guy: I’ve got great memories of my time there. Earliest memory was playing against Arsenal in a behind doors friendly as a 15 year old schoolboy. First game as a centre half (I signed Schoolboy forms as a centre mid) and I was up against Paul Mariner who was throwing a few elbows around. I managed to do ok against him and I think that cemented the position that I was to play for the rest of my career. I loved every minute of my time there and I’d be here all day if I were to write them all down.

What do you remember of your senior breakthrough in the late 80’s

Guy: I remember being drafted into the squad for the cup game v Blackburn on the Tuesday night before as there were a few injuries to the centre halves in the first team. Chris Fairclough had to come off late on so I got thrown on. A free kick ricocheted off my head into my own net but we managed to win the game. I made the bench for the next game as well.

Which players or staff members did you look up to at the club, as a young defender?

Guy: I used to love watching Mabbsy and Richard gough when I was an apprentice and was told by Keith Blunt (my youth team manager) to study those two when I watched the first team. Watch what they do when they are in and out of possession. The communication and positioning that goes on in the first team. When I was offered a pro contract, I also learnt a lot training alongside Terry Fenwick and Chris Fairclough.

Who did you make your Spurs debut against and could you describe your memories of that day?

Guy: It was against Wimbledon and I remember a couple of newspapers building me up as they thought I’d be starting the game, especially as it would have put me up against John Fashanu. I got to the ground that day and bumped into Bobby Gould (the Wimbledon manager) and he told me to “watch my teeth”!! I started the game on the bench, and came on just before halftime for Gary Stevens, following the infamous Vinny Jones tackle. I remember having a couple of tussles with Fash and held my own, seeing him subbed off in the second half. Midway through the game, I scored with a header from a corner and we went on to win 3-2. I got home after the game and my dad gave me £20 to go and have a celebratory pint with my mates. I woke up next day with the worst hangover ever, and £30 in my pocket!! Apparently I got carried home!

What was it like to be an integral part of a Spurs defence which included the legendary Gary Mabbutt?

Guy: I loved my time playing in the first team, learning my trade alongside players that had played in world cups. We picked up some good results and finished high up in the table that year. Unfortunately, the next season, I found myself in and out of the team for one reason or another and eventually went out on loan.

How did your time spent as a young up and coming Spurs player, benefit you later on in your career, when you played with the likes of Brighton and Portsmouth?

Guy: I took all the things I learnt as a youngster and tried to implement them at my other clubs throughout my career. I felt the benefit more when I neared the end of my career and relished the opportunity to nurture and assist a lot of young centre halves that I played with. One or two of them have gone on to excel in the premier league and I hope I have helped them along the way.

What for you was the pinnacle of your footballing career?

Guy: think appearing for England U21’s remains an achievement that I’m very proud of. I’ve helped a few clubs get promotion as well. I’m immensely proud of being named as ‘defender of the tournament’ for two years on the trot, whilst representing Spurs youth team at the prestigious Düsseldorf youth tournament in Germany ( we beat the Russian National Youth team in the final one year) and I’m also proud of winning the south east counties youth league 3 times and the reserves combination league twice. Good times

Who was the greatest player that you ever played alongside?

Guy: I was so lucky to have been a part of that spurs team of the late 80’s. You had the likes of Eric Thorstvedt in goal, Fen, Mabbsy and Chris Hughton alongside. Chris waddle, Paul Allen, Gazza, Vinny Samways in front, with the likes of Gary Lineker, Walshy, Paul Stewart etc up top! What a squad!! Out of all of them though, I’ve never seen a player like Gazza before or since. Absolute genius, absolute lunatic! Lol

Could you describe what it was like to represent your country at youth level?

Guy: Playing for the U21’s was a good experience. We had some very good players in the team I played in. Neil Ruddock, David Batty, Russell Beardsmore, David Hurst, Paul Ince, Marco Gabbiadini etc and they were all a year or two older than me. Unfortunately, there was a massive drinking culture with some of the group, which I got involved in, and it didn’t bode well with the management at the time. Hence only the 3 caps!

As a central defender, who was the toughest centre forward that you came up against?

Guy: I remember being thrown on as a sub in a testimonial game and played against Billy Whitehurst ( I don’t think anyone else fancied it!!) and the first thing he said was “we can have it two ways lad, either nice and easy or we’ll have it rough. Up to you”
“Er, nice and easy please!!”
Did ok against him as well. I don’t recall ever being scared of anyone though. Mark Hughes was strong but the ones that gave me most problems were the little nippy ones like Paul Dickov or Terry Gibson.

After a playing career which stretched over two decades at the likes of Brighton, Southend, Gillingham and Portsmouth. What does your first club Spurs still mean to you and do you still follow their progress?

Guy: I still look for Tottenham results and hope they do well. I’ve been back as a player (for Brighton when we lost 2-1 in the fa cup) and a couple of times to watch. I’ll always hold it dear to my heart as it’s my first club and the place where I learnt my trade. I hope to get to the new stadium for a game or two as well.

 

My interview with former Spurs defender Don McAllister:

I had the privilege of being able to interview legendary former Spurs player Don McAllister. The former defender who kindly agreed to doing an interview with me, was an important figure at the lilywhites following his transfer from Bolton Wanderers in 1975. During a six year spell at the club Don made over 200 appearances for Spurs and enjoyed some memorable times (including an FA Cup win) in a Spurs side that was under going transition. Don is still remembered fondly by the Spurs faithful, especially by those that supported Spurs during the 1970’s.

Questions:

What was your time at Spurs like?

Don: I had a great time at Spurs, looking back it’s like another world moving to London playing with many of your hero’s at the top end of the game, as a kid from the back streets of Manchester dreaming of winning the FA Cup was only a dream and playing for a team like Spurs more than 200 games.

An integral part of Bolton Wanderers team during the early 1970’s, what was it like adjusting to life at Spurs and leaving the trotters? A team who you had represented so well.

Don: My time at Bolton was the foundation of my future, Bolton were financially struggling and decided to stick with there youth policy. I was introduced into the 1st team when I was 16 at LB playing behind Gordon Taylor the current head of the PFA. Bolton also had some ageing top players Rodger Hunt, Peter Thompson ex Liverpool, Tony Dunne Man Utd and Charlie Hurley. Plus some top players from Bolton who we would have some difficult games against, Paul Jones and I were the 2 central defenders who got Bolton out of the 3rd division and later Paul and Sam Allardyce did the same in the first division with us. Sam was my replacement when I moved to Spurs. Paul and I were highly regarded as a central defensive pair, winning youth trophy’s with local teams like Man Utd/City, Everton, Liverpool we had a great reputation. When I arrived at Spurs I was to partner with Mike England, with Cyril Knowles and Joe Kinnear as full backs. Unfortunately for me they all left at the end of the season and I had to work out a way of staying in the first team with more new players coming into the club I never found a playing partner like Paul jones and therefore I did not get to play in my best role.

What was your greatest memory from your time at the Lilywhites?

Don: Greatest time was the fight back to division one and of course the
FA cup win.

Who were your greatest influences at the club?

Don: Martin Chivers Stevie P, Glen, Jonny Pratt, Ralph Coates and Pat J.

During your six year spell with Spurs, you must have endured many highs and lows, suffering relegation to the second tier and winning the FA Cup happening all in that time. You played with some of the finest talents in world football during that time, what was it like to be a part of that Spurs team during those eventful 6 years?

Don: Yes my time was eventful I joined when the team was due for big changes, the successful team full of star players was reaching the end so with a new manager and many new players the new Spurs was being formed and yes it was a difficult time leading the first season I was signed at the last part of the year and in the last game against Leeds we avoided relegation but not for long.
The relegation year I did not play much as I had knee surgery and as part of my recovery I was sent to play in USA. But I came back to the club in division 2.
It took me a bit of time to get back into the team but I played a role in the rise back to division 1 and scored some vital goals. On promotion we then had some money to spend and on came Ossie and Ricky, the rest is history. It was a difficult time as you did not know what was coming next, during all of the drama I managed to play more than 200 games of which I am proud off.

Growing up as a kid in Lancashire, who was your footballing hero during your childhood?

Don: My heroes were many as it was the days of the World Cup winning team, I was 13, throughout my time I played with many of the players who were my heroes. I also played against Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, George Best and I played with Jimmy Greaves in a testimonial game and sat next to him in the dressing room.

What do you remember about your Spurs debut?

Don: My debut was away against Coventry I remember it was 1-1 and I got booked on a wet muddy day.

You were a member of the famous FA cup run of 1980-81, what were your memories of that road to Wembley?

Don: The road to Wembley was long and hard but it was always my dream to win the FA Cup. It was also my first visit to Wembley so it was special times.

Who was the greatest player that you ever played with during your career?

Don: I have mentioned some of the special players I came across during my career for one off games but to play with week after week there are two players that stand out for me, Steve P and Glen H. To play 850 games at Spurs is just unbelievable the stress and strain on the body to play so many games at the top level and avoid injury, yet keep up a high level of performance deserves the highest awards for me. Glen Hoddle had the most talent I have ever seen in a player, he made all other players look average. Why the English team was not built around him many of us cannot understand.

Do you still follow/support Spurs’ progress?

Don: Yes I still follow Spurs and am in contact with the boys I spent time with, when they come to Australia and when they play golf for the legends team. When I am in the UK and make appearances for the club like requested last year, I went to NZ for the supporters club. I also still get mail/email and just last week had a pair of football boots sent to me for autographs.

Apart from your time at Spurs and Bolton, you had a fascinating career. Including spells in the US and in Portugal where you played for Vitoria Setubal. If you had to name your greatest achievement from your playing career, what would it be?

Don: I did not play in Portugal Or sign for them. Regarding Vitoria Setubal (which states on Wikipedia that Don played for them). I don’t see my career as any one thing. When I was young I wanted to be a football player I did that for more than 15 years. At Bolton the club went to division 3 so in came the young boys like me we got promoted I played 45 out of 46 games, I played a major role I was bought by a struggling Spurs team, relegation 1st year back to division 1. I played a major role, Secured our place in division 1 and went on to win the cup, again I played my role in the team. So as the years rolled on different challenges appeared and I played a significant role in the success at the clubs where I played, and played a lot of games during my career. I believe I passed the test of a young 13 year old dreamer.

 

 

My interview with former Spurs man Andy Keeley:

Once again, a big thank you to Andrew Scott for arranging this interview.

I was privileged enough to interview former Spurs player Andy Keeley, a member of the famous FA youth cup side of 1973-74. Keeley was an extremely talented young defender who went on to play six times for the senior side, before moving to Sheffield United in 1977, Keeley then went on to play for Scunthorpe United before retiring in 1983. I have had privileges of being able to interview three of our former players over the last month, all of whom played for us during the 1970’s. This is a long term project of mine and one for which I’ll be continuing with over the future, to collect the memories of our former players and youth players, those who may have only played for the senior team on a handful of occasions as well as those who never made the step up. Giving them the recognition they so deserve. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Questions:

What was your time at Spurs like?

Andy: In the main, amazingly good. I joined after playing in weekly trials at the old Cheshunt training ground. Out of hundreds of boys at the trials, the club signed just Martin Robinson and me. We then started to train with our team mates. I hated pre season almost as much as Steve Perryman. We trained with so many great players; Alan Gilzean, Martin Chivers, Jimmy Pearce and Pat Jennings to name just a few. At that time I was thinking how can I be anywhere near as good as them. As well as the great lifestyle and only having to work a few hours a day, I also made some fantastic friends in Noel Brotherston, Wayne Cegielski, Ian Smith, Neil McNab, Ralph Coates and many more. We had loads of fun and learnt how to enjoy the good times and deal with things when it didn’t go as planned.

What was your greatest memory from your time at Spurs?

Andy: Watching Jimmy Greaves train for his testimonial game (what a player) and being in the same club as Pat Jennings, who was not only the best goalkeeper of the era but also one of the nicest people you could ever meet.

As a young defender at the time which player in the game did you look up to?

Andy: I didn’t really look up to any other defenders in the game. You’d think that I would, but I preferred the more skillful players. Two of the players that I admired at Spurs for their ability were Jimmy Pearce and Neil McNab. Jimmy was so skillful even though he struggled with his knee injuries which cut short his career, and Neil joined from Morton at 15-16 Years old. I’ll never forget how he played in a friendly match; First team v Reserves. He controlled the game from start to finish. He was outstanding. He had a very good career but I never understood how he didn’t become a superstar.

How did it feel to make your debut for Spurs against Birmingham back in 1976

Andy: It was both scary and exciting. This is what you dream of doing and you want to do yourself justice. I remember, as most players do, how much of a jump up it was from  reserve team football to league football. The game is so much faster than you would expect.

What was the pinnacle of your footballing career?

Andy: Playing for England under 18’s will always be in my best memories. Testing yourself against some of the best players from other countries, and adapting to their styles of play. We had a team that included Bryan Robson and Glenn Hoodle. In one match we played Spain, at Atletico Madrid with a 70,000 full capacity crowd. The noise from the crowd was so loud that it was difficult to hear each other. We had coins, seat cushions and a number of other things thrown at us from the crowd during the game. No stopping the game like today for bad crowd behaviour!! With this incredible atmosphere and the crowd intimidation we were even happier than normal to come off with a 1-0 victory.

What was it like to be an up and coming player at Spurs during that time?

Andy: I should write a book. A lot of memorable highs, and some not to nice lows. It was easier than now to break into the team as there was less pressure on the managers to win because of the financial down side of not being in the premiership. Without the money that is in the game today, managers relied more on youth players coming through, rather than being able to go into the transfer market and get an immediate player for the team.
On the bad side there was a sometimes healthy and sometimes a not too healthy competitive mentality; where there were a number of scraps and nasty tackles in training.

You went on to have a successful footballing career with Sheffield United and Scunthorpe,  who was the greatest player that you ever played with?

Andy: At Sheffield United it was Alan Woodward, who played over 500 games for the club. He was the best striker of a ball that I’ve ever had the pleasure to see. In one game I was standing behind him. He was 30 yards out from goal and he slightly mis-controlled the ball a little too far in front of himself. He decided to toe punt the ball, like an old fashioned rugby player. The ball flew into the top corner of the net before the keeper could move.
At Scunthorpe United I enjoyed Ian Botham (famous cricketer, pretend footballer). Not much of a footballer but a character that every dressing room should have.

What are your memories of the FA youth cup campaign of 1973/74?

Andy: I remember the semi final v Arsenal and the final v Huddersfield. They were close games. In the semi final we needed to play at our best to compete with a star studded Arsenal team. We were the underdogs but knew that we had the talent and tenacity to beat them. Against Huddersfield we travelled to their ground for an evening KO against a team that we expected to beat, but they were like most typical Northerners, tough and uncompromising. Fortunately we won and I believe that our successful cup campaign was because of the camaraderie in our team. We were great friends and were prepared to fight for each other.

Do you still follow/support Spurs?

Andy: I do and I attend the occasional game, when I can get tickets. I saw Gareth Bale play a couple of times a few seasons ago and was so impressed with his control, passing, dribbling and shooting. Let’s hope that he will return one day.

Are you still in contact with any of your former team mates at Spurs?

Andy: Unfortunately I’m not and would love a re union with them. Ian Cranstone, Ian Smith, Michael Stead, Wayne Cegielski, Gary Anderson, Noel Brotherston, Neil McNab, Chris Jones, Roger Gibbins and John Margerrison.

What was it like making the transition from Spurs to going up to Yorkshire to play for Sheffield United?

Andy: At the time I wanted it. Being an arrogant young player I believed that I should have been a regular in the first team at Spurs, and had a few run in’s with Keith Burkenshaw about why he wouldn’t keep me in the team. I should have knuckled down and fought for my place but instead asked for a transfer. When I joined and first played at Bramall Lane it felt like a big step down from the Spurs. A few months after joining Sheffield United I married Simone (we are still married), at Easter. Not the best of times to get married as we had 3 games to play in 4 days. This made the transition so much easier. During our time with Sheffield and Scunthorpe we made some great friends, who we see regularly even though we now live back in Basildon.