An interview with Micky Hazard

I started supporting Spurs in 1981, the only team in my memory of supporting Spurs, that was better than the one we have today. One of my favourite players back then was a young midfielder called Micky Hazard. Quick of pace and light of foot, with a knack for scoring important goals. Micky came through the youth system at Spurs and played alongside Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. He played in the 1982 Cup Final team and also was part of the 1984 UEFA Cup winning side. I was lucky enough to see Micky play numerous times as a kid, this was before SKY TV and the Premier League when you only had a few games a season on TV and players got nowhere near what they earn today. If you wanted to see your team you had to go to the ground! Micky kindly agreed to my random request of an interview. He answered all my questions, which I'm grateful for, so please read on and enjoy Micky Hazard interviewed by Tottenham Hotpsur Banter.

A: When you signed for Spurs at 14, how hard was it to move away from your native Sunderland? 

M: It was very difficult for me to leave home and my family and come to London, I ran off 6 times that's how difficult it was, but in the end I settled (thankfully) after about 18 months, the club were magic during this period and played a massive part in helping me settle.

A: Was there anyone else interested in you at that time and if so what made you chose Spurs?

M: Yes I had lots of clubs chasing me but Spurs had put so much effort in to get me to sign that there was only ever going to be one club I was signing for and that was the mighty Spurs.

A: What was it like walking into the changing room for the first time?

M: It was amazing as a 14 year old boy walking into that dressing room and meeting all those footballers you'd only seen on TV, truly very memorable.

A: What memories do you have of you debut?

M: Nothing but fantastic memories of my debut, running down the Rd to the telephone box to call my Mum and Dad to tell them was so amazing, the excitement and pride I felt to hear their excitement was worth its weight in gold, the game was just as memorable and I was voted MAN of The Match too just to complete my day, wonderful day all round and we beat Everton 3-0 so just about perfect.

A: You were part of the successful Spurs side of the early 80's, winning the FA Cup in 1982. What memories of that game and then the replay do you have?

M: Walking through the tunnel suited and booted and looking to see all my family and friends at the game in the stand was incredible, the game itself was a coming together of every single schoolboy dream I'd ever dreamt, just magical, the replay maybe wasn't as exciting but walking up the steps to collect my winners medal was just WOW.

A: What made you more nervous? Playing at Wembley or playing with Chas and Dave on Top of the Pops?

M: Defiantly singing on Top of the Pops with Chas and Dave, very nerve racking.

A: The UEFA Cup Final of 1984 was the last time we won a European Trophy. Were you confident going into the second leg after drawing the first leg 1-1?

M: I was very, very, confident we would win, I actually thought we were fated to win it, Keith's last game etc, we should have won the 1st leg comfortably but didn't,I didn't think it would go to penalties but we won it anyway, magic night.

A: Who was your favourite player at Spurs at this time?

M: My favourite player, I had 2 and they were Ossie and Glenn, 2 very different players but both geniuses.

A: Who was your toughest opponent at this time?

M: Didn't really worry about the opposition preferred to let them worry about me.

A: What was your favourite ground at this time?

M: Apart from the Lane I loved playing at Anfield, there was something special about it, I was part of the first team to win there (Spurs team) for 72 years, incredible scenes.

A: You left Spurs in 1985 for those of us around at the time we remember how much you didn't want to go, how hard was that to leave?

M: Always very hard to leave the club you love, the club you joined as a 12 year old and knew no other, yes I shed a few tears the day I left and prayed one day I would be back, thankfully I got back to my home towards the end of my career and have been here ever since.

A: How much influence did Keith Burkinshaw have on your career? (My favourite manager of all time, was gutted when he left I cried for days).

M: Keith had a big influence on me, first he gave me my debut and also made me win trophies so I am eternally grateful for all he gave me.

A: When you came back in1993 how much had the club changed? We had been through all the trauma a few years before with Sugar/Scholar/Venables?

M: Changed not one bit in its appearance and magic, but it was embroiled in a bitter war which was not in the best interest of the club, too much politics in a club is not good for any club and we suffered a lot during that period.

A: What was your favourite memory of playing for Spurs?

M: Favourite memory wow very tough, but I have to say that now I no longer play I love to think about sitting in the dressing room before the game, pulling on our famous white shirt and marching down that incredible inspirational tunnel of the Lane and entering the hallowed turf to the sound of our fans singing along to Glory, Glory,nothing gives me greater pleasure than remembering how special that is and how blessed I've been to have lived that dream.

A: Finally, what was the best goal you scored during your time at Spurs?

M: Best goal, they are all special, I've scored winning goals in 2 Semi-Finals and a Quarter-Final, but one goal I scored at Highbury was just magic, I will never forget it. Childhood dreams brought to reality.

Micky Hazard Ladies and gentleman. For me his love of the club and what it means to him shines through and made doing this very special for me a Spurs fan. I hope you enjoy reading it as much I did asking the questions. Micky can be found on Twitter @1MickyHazard.