Friday Fan Interview with Dade, 27th October 2017

Hi all its Friday so its fan interview time, this week we have our first international fan so over to you Dade.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Dade, I'm from Talladega, AL, US. I've been a Tottenham supporter since 2008, and will be until I'm 6' under. I'm also a firm believer that Harry Kane is the greatest player in the known universe.

When did you start supporting Spurs?

In 2008, when I was 9, right before Harry Redknapp was appointed manager I was just starting to become interested in the sport. I wanted to pick a team with a good, loyal fan base, and history but not a team like Manchester United that is already a constant threat for the title - and Tottenham seemed to be the perfect fit. Wouldn't change my decision in a million years. Even through the years of watching Emmanuel Adebayor.

Who is your favourite player from every decade you’ve supported Spurs?

2000's - The King himself, Ledley King. 2010's - A close tie between Jermain Defoe and Lord Harry Kane.

If you could ask one of those players a question what would it be and why?

Jermain Defoe - Looking back on your career and how it all happened, if you had the chance to go back and do it all over again, would you have stayed at Tottenham your whole career?

What is your favourite ever Spurs goal?

Sandro vs Manchester United in 2013.

What is your most cherished piece of Spurs merchandise?

Ledley King's game worn and autographed captain's armband.

What is the worst piece of Spurs merchandise you’ve ever bought or been given?

Would have to be this hideous excuse of a scarf I bought when I saw Tottenham play Manchester City in Nashville, TN this year in the ICC.

What is your best moment supporting Spurs?

Off the top of my head? Probably Tottenham beating Chelsea 5-3 a couple years ago. Don't think I've ever ran around the house screaming like a child like that.

What is your worst moment supporting Spurs?

Losing 6-0 to Man City in 2013.

If you could go back in time and change one result what would it be?

Any of our losses/draws last season. Anyone of those fixtures going the other way could have tilted the title race in our favour. If I had to choose one though, it probably would have been the 2-1 L at Stamford Bridge last season.

What do you think Tottenham should be doing to put us over that last hurtle we can't seem to get to?

It's pretty much unanimous between us supporters we are only missing maybe one piece to send us to the top. Hopefully well get it soon enough, whether that's an astute buy or a player coming through the ranks.

Thank you to Dade for doing this for us, next week its Richard Hill. Anyone else interested in doing one, you've seen how it works now, get in touch at tottenhamhotspurbanter@gmail.com, and I shall reply with the questions for you.

An Interview with Paul Stewart.

Paul Stewart signed for Spurs in 1988 for £1.7 million pounds, he had previously played for Man City scoring regularly in the season they were relegated. Turned into a midfielder by Terry Venables he became a massive part of our side. Allowing Gazza to express himself more freely, Paul scored important goals from midfield. None more so than the equaliser in the 1991 FA Cup Final. Here is Tottenham Hotspur Banters interview with one of my favourite players, Paul Stewart. Paul’s book can be bought from the link below. It’s a superb book, a great present for a spurs fan to get for Christmas .

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0757XQ32D/ref=nodl_

AH: You started your career at Blackpool moving between midfield and centre forward, you then  moved to Man City who were unfortunately relegated in your only season there and then joined Spurs in 1988 at the same time as a certain Paul Gascoigne, what made you join Spurs?  Was anyone else interested in you at the time?

PS: I actually played as a striker at both Blackpool and Man City and signed for Spurs as a striker, I ended up in midfield by coincidence as I was playing in a game for Spurs and we had a player sent off, so it was a choice between Gary Lineker and me who would drop back, Links was never going to do a job in midfield so I was the other option, and ended up doing really well so Venners kept me in there! I suppose I’d have to say that Terry sold the club to me at our first meeting, the plans he had and the players that were already there and the ones he was looking at bringing in i.e, Gazza

AH: Did Gazza signing at the same time as you take the pressure of you a little or did you feel more pressure to try and prove you were as good or better than him?

PS: It wasn’t that really, I was bought as a Striker and naturally I was under pressure to score goals, I’d scored 30 in all comps the season before at Man City which prompted Terry and Spurs to pay £1.7 Million for me.

AH: You made your debut as a striker at Spurs 1^st October 1988 in a 2-2 draw against Man Utd missing a stoppage time penalty, what are your memories of your debut?

PS: Well I guess the penalty would by my memorable moment of my debut, I earned the penalty and I’d taken them for Man City and Blackpool so it was a chance to get off the mark early on in my Spurs career, unfortunately I grabbed it off our regular penalty taker Terry Fenwick and as you know missed it as it came back off the bar, I got a rollicking in the dressing room off Terry and didn’t take another!

AH: You scored 12 goals that year in your first season, but subsequently moved back into a midfield role alongside Gazza, Nayim and Paul Allen, was that your preferred position?

PS: If I’m honest, my preferred position was striker, but after playing alongside the players above in particular Gazza, I realised that if I win the ball and give it to Paul, then he would do something magical, it just became natural and a very good gig for me given the talent alongside me.

AH: What are your memories of the 1991 semi final win against Arsenal?

PS:Being the first semi to be played at Wembley, and against our arch rivals, we were so up for the game, Arsenal had dominated the league and beaten us regularly in the Derby’s, so we went into the match as under dogs, we had heard a whisper that Arsenal had already recorded there cup final song, which infuriated us even more, this actually turned out to be hearsay but it had already had the desired effect, I remember we dominated the match and of course who could forget that free kick Gazza scored!! One of the best scored at the old Wembley ever.

AH: We had all the turmoil around the club during this time, with Scholar and Sugar battling for control of the club. There were rumours everyday of us going broke and Robert Maxwell buying us, how did that affect the players in the run up to the cup final?

PS: Honestly, it didn’t we were kept out of it, I think the players were so focused on the final, anything off the field was not in the equation, I do remember that the players including myself really liked Scholar, as he was very approachable and travelled with the team to away games!

AH: You scored the equaliser in the cup final, what else do you remember about the build up to the game? Did the players ever doubt they would ever win it, even when Gazza went off?

PS: I remember it like yesterday, and as I’ve written in my book, I had come on a long journey to get to that point in my career, that I was going to make sure nothing would get in my way, yes it was disappointing Paul going off, but you have a choice, do you lie down or do you give it your all, I believe I did the latter, and managed to get us back in the game with my goal, which then ignited the rest of the lads!! To go on and lift the trophy

Id like now to allow some of our followers to ask you a few questions, firstly Lisa Wild,

Lisa Wild: Who would be his all time favourite Spurs player?

PS: Easy one, Gazza!!!

Mark Heeley: Who was the best manager you played for and why?

PS:My first manager at Blackpool Sam Ellis, because he taught me that to succeed you need to work hard, Peter Ried at Sunderland as he was a players manager and if you give your best that’s all he would ask of you, and Terry Venables, because every day was interesting in training and I believe he was head and shoulders in terms of coaching in the 90’s

Mark Spry: Do you regret leaving Spurs when you did and going to Liverpool?

PS: In truth no! I was a northern lad and I was living in London away from my family, so I was given the chance to return home to one of the biggest clubs in the world, unfortunately I was struggling with my own demons, and the move didn’t work out, but that was nobody’s fault but my own!

Allison Brailsford: Do you feel slightly healed by opening up or has it made you feel worse?

PS: I have to leave that for other’s to answer, something like this does not heal over night, the support I have received from the nation is overwhelming, but I guess knowing that speaking out has helped so many others, then that’s what has made it all worthwhile!

Jeannie Dunsby: Id like to say you have survived your worst days, what is your vision of your future now?

PS: To keep working with the governing bodies such as the FA and EFL and Premier league, so that something like this can never happen to our future children and grandchildren, then look at all regulated children’s activities and make sure safeguarding is high on the agenda! 

Finally Id like to talk about your book, its a brutally honest account of your life so far, some of its not easy to read, but I feel its absolutely a must read. People need to know this has happened so as we don't keep making the same mistakes, and allowing these people to infiltrate our every day life.

AH: What prompted you to tell your story now?

PS: Simply in the hope that it would help others somehow come to terms with what has happened to them and hope that they seek help and not go down the destructive road I did.

AH: Ive read your book and personally I couldn’t help but feel angry at what had happened to you as a young boy, I have two young sons myself and it really stuck home with me that these people we trust abuse their positions in such ways, do you think there are enough controls in place now to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

PS: That is what we are endeavouring to do, by collaborating with the powers that be, I would say that since coming forward in November 2016 that regulations, procedures and polices are far more stringent, but I also believe that we should never become complacent.

AH: I also got a sense of closure from it from you, I know the memories will never fade, but it felt like you could now move on with your life, would be correct?

PS: I think I owe it to my family to try and move on, although it’s not something that is fixed over night, I know through my actions I have caused them a lot of pain and suffering, which is all laid bare in the book, but I believe now that they understand me a little more as do my friends, the book was a chance for me to to tell my story and I think you will agree it is more than just a football autobiography, my hope is that others read it that have suffered and don’t take the same path as I did to devastating effects, but seek help, as far as myself, I take one day at a time!!

AH: By writing your book has it opened up more dialogue for people to ask for help who have experienced something similar?

PS: I hope so, from the messages I have received sine I came forward it would appear that I have been able to help many others, which is what I did it for so you could say that it has achieved its purpose! Again I have to let others decide that!

Paul finally thank you for doing this, its been a pleasure to talk to you about your time at Spurs, you've been honest and more than generous with your time in doing this for us. I wish you well for the future, the love and support from this page, from our followers, has been overwhelming for us to see as I'm sure it has been for you. Good luck Paul and if you're ever in London let us know because we would love to do a video one if possible.

Friday Fan Interview Richard Cracknell

Our first ever Fan Friday Interview is with Richard Cracknell, a man of many talents Richard is a reporter for Talksport, Co-host with Antony Costa (Yes that Antony Costa) on the pod cast @ohwhenthespurs on Twitter and a host of Tottenham legend nights. Richard can be found on Twitter @MrCracknell. Ill let Richard explain the rest......

AH:   Tell us a little about yourself?

RC: I'm Richard Cracknell, very much the wrong side of 40 but I like to think of it as the better side of 50! 

Married with 4 kids. 2 elder girls and two younger boys. My eldest boy is called Bill Nicholson Cracknell !

By day I drive tube trains in London, by night I ask retired footballers questions on stage around the UK. 

AH:   When did you start supporting Spurs?

RC: 1976 my Dad took me to Spurs v Birmingham. We lost and the game was rubbish. But I fell in love with the lane. The noise, the smells, the sheer vastness of it all. I was totally hooked. The actual team I fell in love with was the 1981 F.A cup final and I'm very blessed to have worked with many of them.   

AH:  Who's idea was it to do the podcast and how did it come about?

RC: Ant (Costa from Blue) and I started following each other on Twitter, discovered we lived near each other, and we met for a beer to watch a game. One beer turned into several (for me it did Ant had a couple and sensibly went onto soft drinks) and we foolishly decided a podcast would be a great idea!!

A friend suggested SNK studios to us for recording, as Kay Van runs the place and was also a Spurs fan. We really don't record regular enough tbh, but we're all very proud of the episodes we have done.

AH:  How much fun are the legends nights to host? Ive been to one recently and the players really seem to enjoy them, is that always the case?

RC: They are terrific fun, and I genuinely never get bored of them. Every time I do one I hear a new story. The players enjoy a trip down memory lane as much as those in the audience do. Touch wood, I've not had one that's ended in disaster or has bombed like an Arsenal trip to Watford. Long may it continue 

AH:     Who is your favouirte player from every decade you’ve supported Spurs?

RC: Ahh man ... tough one, 70s and 80s would have to be Hoddle and Roberts. Glenn was just mesmerising and skillful. Graham was Mr 1000%. People viewed him as just a hard man but he was much much more than that. He was a terrific footballer. 90s would have to be Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola. Two players that got you up off your seat with anticipation. That's the heroin of football we all crave. 

00s had one absolute beacon of light in the shape of Ledley King. An unbelievably talented defender and what a nice humble man he is too. This decade has given us a much richer crop than the previous one. You cannot look beyond a kid that comes through the ranks to become world class. Step forward Harry Kane. 

AH:  If you could ask one of those players a question what would it be and why?

RC: It would have to be Harry Kane and would you please come and do a legends night !!!

AH:  What is your favourite ever Spurs goal?

RC: Ricky Villa's goal in the 81 cup final replay. Not just the goal but the whole story surrounding it. Being subbed off in the first game and then a real school boys own comeback in the replay. 

AH: What is your most cherished piece of Spurs merchandise?

RC: Despite all what I do with the legends nights, I have a very little amount physical pieces of memorabilia. My experiences and memories of some of the nights I've hosted are my most cherished items. 

 AH: What is the worst piece of Spurs merchandise you’ve ever bought or been given?

RC: I have some of the Ian Walker era goalkeeper shirts. Say no more lol lol 

AH: What is your best moment supporting Spurs?

RC The night we beat Milan in the Champions league at WHL. I went that night with my Dad and eldest son. Three generations of Spurs all at the lane together and what a night. I honestly thought the roof was coming off with the noise. Man alive, I miss that old girl of a stadium.  

AH:     What is your worst moment supporting Spurs?

RC: Probably watching that mob celebrating winning the league at WHL when they drew the game. 

AH: If you could go back in time and change one result what would it be?

RC: Tottenham versus Madrid UEFA cup q.f back in 85. If we had won that then I'm sure we'd have gone on to win the cup that year. 

Thanks very much to Richard for agreeing to do this for us, anyone else wanting to do one please get in touch at tottenhamhotspurbanter@gmail.com. Next week is our first international fan Dade Wood.

An Interview with Gary Stevens

Gary Stevens played for Spurs between 1983 and 1990. He was part of our UEFA Cup winning side and also part of our 1987 FA Cup Final side. An England international between 1983 and 1986 he went to the World Cup 86 as part of Bobby Robson's team. An injury sustained in 1988 against Wimbledon led to a battle to regain full fitness and eventually his retirement from professional football in 1992. Gary was been kind enough to agree to an interview with us, and Id like to personally thank him for his time and honesty in answering a request I sent him.

Gary can be found on twitter under @GaryStevensUK

AH: You played in the 1983 cup final for Brighton then transferred to Spurs in that summer, was it tough to leave them after all you'd made your debut there at 17?

GS: I had gone to visit my parents in Suffolk at what had been my home with them and my sister from the age of 6, when we left West Drayton in Middlesex, until I departed for Brighton as a 16 year old to sign apprentice forms. The phone rang and Mum said it was Jimmy Melia, the then Brighton manager, wanting to speak to me. No mobile phones in those days ..... and he told me the club had agreed to sell me to Spurs and did I want to go ? Initially I was really annoyed with the club going so far with a deal before they told me. I told Jimmy that the club should be keeping their best players with a view to returning to the top flight immediately having just been relegated after four season and the only time the club had been in the top division in its history. I still had 2 seasons left on my contract, they were not paying me much and I was prepared to continue to give everything I had for the club that had given me a chance. I was young, 21, and believed Brighton could bounce straight back. Jimmy said the deal was done and it was a case of me meeting with Spurs. I was just buying a lovely house in the Hove Park area, having sold my property, and suddenly my focus for the new season was likely to be very different. I knew it was a fantastic opportunity for me to join a huge club and develop as a player, there was only one thing to do if Brighton didn't want me and Spurs did ..... I soon calmed down.

AH: What did Keith Burkinshaw say to persuade you to join Spurs?

GS: When I got to WHL, having driven down from Bury St. Edmunds, I met with Peter Shreeves because Keith Burkinshaw was away on holiday. We chatted for a couple of hours about football, how Spurs saw me as a player, how they could develop me, what I believed I could achieve, the players currently at the club etc We had lunch in the West Stand where office staff would eat, not the Chanticleer Restaurant because it was open to the public and Spurs wanted to conclude matters and make the announcement when everything was signed. We went back to the office so I could speak on the phone with Keith Burkinshaw, which I did briefly. He said he knew Peter would have covered all the football matters and he hoped I would join. After the phone call there was a knock on the door and Bill Nicholson walked in. He said he wanted to take me out to the training ground and show me around .... what an honour. He showed me the back dodges out to the A10 and we chatted football, I was introduced to Don the groundsman at the Cheshunt Training facility and we drove back. Bill told me to go home and talk it through with my family ..... and then sign !!! He said he had watched a lot of my games and felt Spurs would develop me into a full international. Peter suggested we spoke the next day on the phone and as I said my goodbyes and thanks to him and Bill, Peter said "Do you want to know how much we are going to pay you?" At no stage had we even mentioned the length or value of a contract for me.

AH: What do you remember of your debut for Spurs?

GS: My debut didn't go well. The opening game of the 1983/84 season (a) v Ipswich who had featured heavily in my career already. I was a schoolboy at Ipswich from 11 to 16 years old and shown the door by Bobby Robson because there were so many good players ahead of me. I made my debut for Brighton (h) v Ipswich in 1979/80 season and scored my first senior goal later that season (a) v Ipswich. Maybe I was expecting everything to go well again and it didn't. We lost, I made mistakes, no points from your first league fixture is a blow, it was a really poor start for me personally.
http://AHAHAH: You  played in midfield as well as defence which was your preferred position?

GS: I believe my best position was as a central defender. In a pair I would be the one who covered, read the situation, intercepted, played out from the back alongside a more aggressive, dominant central defender. I played occasionally as a sweeper behind a back four and sometimes a front sweeper .... in front of a back four. One of a back 3 really suited me however it was a rare formation in my playing days. I always enjoyed playing in midfield, I was a good athlete and the amount of ground that needed to be covered gave me a feeling of freedom out on the pitch.
AH: You played in the 1984 UEFA cup final and scored your penalty, how nervous was you and did anyone offer you any words of encouragement before hand?

GS: Before the second leg of any round of the UEFA Cup possible penalty takers were decided. The first occasion Robbo, Archie and Mark Falco volunteered and it went a bit quiet. Keith Burkinshaw said he felt I struck a good dead ball so I said I would take one. Of course it didn’t go to penalties, and neither did the next round, or the next so come the final I’m volunteering because it never goes to penalties does it !!!
My only thoughts in my mind walking up to take my penalty was to stick exactly to the routine I had practised in training and my penalty was the only one that I could determine the outcome of so SCORE.

AH: Who was your favourite player at this time?

GS: There were so many great players at Spurs during my time at the club it’s not possible to select a favourite or best. Three who were wonderful players and impressive human beings were not even in the starting 11 for the second leg of the UEFA Cup Final; Steve Perryman, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle. Steve was brilliant as a captain and made so many small comments to me that had huge meaning and influence. Ossie had, in my opinion, the quickest decision making brain on the football field of any player I’ve known. Glenn, at pitch level as a player with everything going so fast around you had the view of the game as if he were sat in the West Upper stand, he could see the space, the best past, players movement and would consistently deliver the perfect pass ..... truly gifted. Ray Clemence became a great friend I would do anything for him and his family, Danny Thomas signed at the same time as me and we stayed in the Ponsbourne Hotel initially for 3 or 4 months before buying our respective homes .... 75 yards around the corner in Broxbourne, we shared lots of time together. I can truly say there was not one player or member of staff I didn’t get on with, I’m not sure if they all liked me but that would have been their problem and not mine !!!
AH: What was your favourite ground?

GS: WHL was a real favourite of course, especially on European nights. Villa Park was always a standout venue for me, I’m not sure exactly why. The stadiums back in the late 70’s and early 80’s were all so different with very average facilities, today's venues are a different level. Just look at the stadium Spurs will play in next season, compare the old and new Wembley Stadium’s. AH: How did you hear you'd made the World Cup squad for the 1986 World Cup
GS: I believed I was in the squad as I walked off the Wembley pitch having come on as a second half sub for England v Scotland in the Rouse Cup in 1986. I came on for Peter Reid in midfield, filled in for Terry Butcher at centre half while he had some treatment and finished at left back when Kenny Sansom went off. Bobby Robson caught up we me as we were heading towards the changing rooms and said “you’re useful you are”. It was a final decision between me and Dave Watson the former Norwich & Everton Central defender and my versatility gave me the edge. I was in the back garden cutting the grass when my fiancée came out and said she had read on Teletext that I was in the World Cup Squad for Mexico ‘86. Times have changed .... Teletext !!!!!
AH: What was it like sitting in the changing room with Terry Butcher, Shilton, Linekar and others, did anyone offer words of encouragement?
GS: I sat in the changing room for club and country with some truly great players over the years. We were all in it together, had all come through the process and generally appreciated what we were all experiencing and maybe struggling to deal with. One of my early England call ups started with reporting on a Sunday afternoon to the Post House Hotel at High Wycombe, no 5 star hotels for us back then, and Bobby Robson took us all for dinner near Bisham Abbey (where we trained in those days). It was a country pub / restaurant and I was out of my comfort zone until Trevor Francis, who I had the perception of being aloof along with his superstar status, came over to me in the bar area and said “hello Gaz, I’m delighted you’re in the squad. You deserve to be here and I’m looking forward to training with you and getting to know you".
AH: The World Cup was held in Mexico that year after the earthquake that had happened, how much did that affect the players? Did you see much of the aftermath?

GS: We were oblivious to the earthquake tragedy in Mexico City to a large extent. Not totally the same as today but as an international team we were kept away from the the public and public places to a large extent. That said Mark Hateley and I were big mates from our U21 European Cup winning days in ‘84 and like myself we wanted to break up the long days so organised a trip together to see the pyramids, once we got to Mexico City and were given a day off by Bobby Robson, and on another occasion hired a driver to take us down town Mexico City to see some of the devastation. It was the first time I’d seen anything like it, there was suddenly a huge pile of rubble where a building had once stood and either side of it the buildings appeared untouched. There were obviously other areas of much larger scale destruction. No we didn’t ask permission to do our tourist trips and we didn’t exactly share the fact with anyone either.

AH: You didn't score many goals in your career but what was your favourite?

GS: What do you mean .... I was a big game goal scorer !!! FA Cup Final for Brighton, UEFA Cup Final for Spurs, first live Sunday game on ITV for Spurs v Forest, the winner for Spurs in a NLD !!!! I even scored for England in a World Cup qualifier (a) v Turkey .... unfortunately it was disallowed. May favourite .... I love them all !!!
AH: What was the biggest regret of your career?

GS: My biggest regret has to be not playing longer. I was super fit, a good athlete, could play the game however due to injury I played my last game as a 28 year old and got my last pay packet as a contracted professional on 31st January 1992 when I was still only 29 years of age. That is over 25 years ago .... I’m a long time dead as a pro player.
AH: What was the highlight of your career?

GS: As a kid the dream was to play top flight football, score in an FA Cup Final, win trophies, play in World Cup finals .... I achieved most of it. The highlight, which was certainly the pinnacle when I was setting out on my career, was playing for England. As I write this I am one of only 1,224 people who have played international football for England.
AH: Who was the biggest influence managerial wise on your career?

GS: Across 13 season as a contracted professional footballer I was under 10 different managers (13 if you include the Dougie Livermore / Ray Clemence / Ossie Ardiles caretaker combination for a short time at Spurs) plus 2 with England U21 and Bobby Robson at full international level) was at Ipswich Town FC from 11 to 16 years of age and Bobby Robson was the Manager of ITFC st the time, he ran the club top to bottom and new all of us trailists and Associate Schoolboy players as we were known back then. I would say that everyone of them impacted on my career with Bobby Robson, Alan Mullery, Keith Burkinshaw, Peter Shreves and Terry Venables slightly more than any of the others.

AH: What are you up to now?

GS: Over the last few seasons I’ve been Head or Assistant Head Coach at Premier League sides in Azerbaijan, Ireland and Thailand, utilising my qualification as a UEFA Pro Licence coach. I’m not currently with a club and have remained predominantly in Asia where I do some punditry work for Astro SuperSports in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia covering the English Premier League as one of their studio guests.

Gary thank you so much for your time in doing this over the past few weeks, with the time difference we've kept missing each other at times. If you are ever in London wed love to do a live interview with you. From all at Tottenham Hotspur Banter and our followers we wish you well and thank you again for your time. Its been an absolute pleasure to do.

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. 

Farewell Old Friend

I remember the first time I ever went to the Lane like it was yesterday. My dad, a life long West Ham fan bought two tickets for me and him for my 9th birthday. I was so excited to go and see the players I had only previously seen the year before in the FA Cup final of 1981. He had tried to get me to support West Ham but I wasn't having it and as surprise he arranged to take me to the game.

We drove to the ground in our dark blue Maxi and parked outside a friends house who lived near the ground. He was a Spurs fan for over 60 years and schooled me in the history of Spurs. The first thing I remember is the size of the ground. To a 9 year old boy it was absolutely massive and very daunting. I had butterflies in my stomach as we walked past the street vendors selling scarves and hats, declaring us FA Cup winners 1981. I was treated to a new scarf and we made our way to the turn style to get into the ground.

I walked slowly up the concrete steps to the seats in the upper North Stand and was shocked at how high we were. It looked even bigger inside than it did outside. The grass was a brilliant green, the white lines on the pitch freshly painted and the noise of our fans starting their chants wafted around me, then the PA kicked in and announced the teams for the day. I watched as the players went through their warm up routines, which in those days was basically walking around with a ball and show boating a bit.

No matter how may times Ive been back since, no matter how many times Ive passed the new stadium being built over the past year I will never forget that first time. Ive had some great memories at the lane down the years, as I'm sure many of you have had as well.

Seeing us get beat 3-1 by Liverpool and seeing John Barnes score with a back heel annoyed the hell out of me, however seeing a coach load of Liverpool supporters stranded as their coach broke down made up a little for it. The bloke who was brave enough (or stupid enough) to walk in the pub with Jason Dozzell embezzled across the back of his shirt and the stick he got was another memory I wont forget. However they all pale into insignificance to the day I met Gazza, Lineker, Walsh and Venables, sharing a beer with them and a friendly chat and my biggest regret of my footballing life.

A friend at school had managed to wangle his way into Spurs for his work experience, me I got a vets in Dagenham, he ended up at Spurs!. It wasn't all bad though as he managed to get me a free ticket on the shelf for our game against Villa in 1989. After the game I was to meet him outside the ground and bring a tie. A little bit of problem with that as on the way to the game Id bought a Teenage Nina Tottenham Hotspurs t-shirt of a street vendor and was proudly wearing that. He wasn't impressed but told me to put the tie on and follow him into the ground via the main entrance.

I did as I was told and he led me upstairs along this corridor with security at the end of it, They looked at him and smiled, then looked at me with the t-shirt on and a tie around my neck and looked at him again. I thought Id blown it but they laughed and said go on in but don't annoy anyone. I walked through the door straight into the players lounge. The first person I saw was Nigel Kennedy, a massive Villa fan, then Derek Mountfield, that man had the second best mustache in football behind Terry McDermott, followed by David Platt drinking his pint as quick as he could.

I followed my mate as quickly as possible as we went through another door and there he was patting Terry Venables on the stomach and telling him how fat he was. Gazza, my favorite player at the time, looked straight at me and said 'fucking hell son no one told me it was fancy dress' I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, I just stood there staring at him, he came over and said hello to my mate and then asked for my t shirt. I looked at him not sure what to do, Terry Venables came over and said hello, as Gazza asked again for my t shirt. I just nodded and took it off and handed it to him. Now here comes my biggest regret!

He was wearing a Spurs tracksuit top and handed it to me to put on whilst he wore my t-shirt. He walked around in it for a bit, showing it to the other players who had arrived, a few of them signed it, , David Howells, Mitchell Thomas, and Paul Walsh amongst them. He then came back took the tshirt off and handed it back to me, I started to take the track suit top off and hand it back to him and he said 'Nah you re alright son you keep it' to which I replied 'No thanks Gazza, I just want me t-shirt back' what an absolute tool! I had Gazza's tracksuit top given to me on a plate and I handed it back to him!. He just laughed and offered me a beer!

I spent the next two hours getting hammered with the Spurs first team. A memory I will forever cherish.

Other memories spring to mind, the local chip shop outside the ground putting hand written prices up for his food on match days, the packed trains from White Hart Lane Station, Glory, Glory, Tottenham Hotspur playing at the end of a game we've won. Being the first English club to take down the fences around the ground after Hillsborough, I could go on.

They say you never forget your first, whether its a girl you kissed, a car you bought, or a film you'll never forget. For me I will never forget my first ever game at the Lane. We played Stoke on the 10th October 1981, 5 days before my 9th birthday and we won 2-0. I fell in love for the first time that day and its lasted all of my life.

I wont be there tomorrow, work and fiances don't allow me to go as often as I would like nowadays, but a part of me will always be in that old ground, a place where I have hugged strangers in joy and wept tears of bitterness at a defeat. Where I have sung with thousands who I will never know the names of, but where I know I will always belong. To me its like losing an old friend, Ill miss the history of that ground, the place where I chose as a 9 year old kid I wanted to spend the rest of my life.

White Hart Lane, thank you for some very special memories, Ill miss you.

Farewell the Lane: My greatest Spurs team 1981-2017

Sunday sees our final game at White Hart Lane as we know. The demolition will begin on Monday and a new stadium will take its place. Taking that into consideration I've decided to do a series of blogs saying farewell and sharing some of my memories of the place that feels like a second home to me.

The first of these is my all time favourite players that I've seen play since I started supporting Spurs in 1981. I started this three days ago and am now in a darken room gently rocking back and forth trying to get all my favourite players into the team. Forget the current team, the dark days of the 90's and 00's we've had some outstanding players down the years and here is my team of the last 36 years.

You may disagree, you may agree, let me know in the comments and well see if we can come up with an all time team for our page. For now though this is my team, taking a leaf out of the Ossie Ardiles school of management, i.e. you score 1 well score 3, I've gone with a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Lots of goals in this team and some of the best defenders I've ever seen. So lets start with the keeper.

Who do I chose? Ray Clemence? So good he shared the England goalkeeper slot with Peter Shilton on an alternative basis as there was nothing between them. Tony Parks? Heart over head due to his UEFA Cup heroics? Ian Walker? Another England goalkeeper or how about Hugo Gomes? No sorry kidding with that one. My all time favourite keeper inspired me as kid when I played in goal. He was a monster, huge hands, a booming voice and was brilliant on his day, nothing got past him. I've gone for Erik Thorsvedt. Our keeper between 1989-1996. He was, in my opinion underrated due to the utter shite that he had to play behind, he never got the credit he deserved. He was and still is my No1 all day long.

Defenders is a tough one, we've hit the highs with Gary Stevens, Steve Perryman, Richard Gough, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Dean Richards to name but a few but my defence has pace, knowledge and players able to read a game and turn it from defence to attack in the blink of an eye.

At right back there is only one, Danny Thomas, I've already written about Danny and I cannot add anymore than that. Playing a short while, 1983-1988 for us I will never forget him and as good as Kyle Walker is, in my opinion the only player who has come close to Danny, there is no other choice for right back.

In the middle is Mr Tottenham himself, Ledley King, to think the player he was with his knackered knees, not training all week and then going into battle against the best every week is legendary. He is also the captain of this team and one of the best I've ever seen at this position.

Next to him is in my opinion a very underrated player, never bragging of what he achieved, struggling with diabetes and still performing to the level he did is Gary Mabbutt. I loved watching him play, a quiet man off the pitch he was a lion on it. A great player for us for 16 years. 1982-1998.

Left back I'm going with Danny Rose and the only current player to make this team. Danny is quick, knowledgeable and has come on leaps and bounds since Poch has been his manager. To me there is no one better than him and therefore he makes my team and I'm not having anyone say we've had a better left back.

I need some steel in this team of mine and there is no one who compares to Graham Roberts. I'm moving him up from his natural centre half position because I know he would and could thrive in the defensive midfielder role. A true combatant on the field, fair as well as hard, he used to get my blood pumping watching him tackle. A great team player, he wouldn't accept anything other than full 100% commitment for the team he was playing for. 1980-1986

In the middle I've gone for flair, Ginola? nope, Bale? nope, Ardiles?, nope, Villia? nope, Hazzard? nope, Waddle? nope. There can only be two in my team and who wouldn't want to watch Hoddle and Gascoigne at their absolute peak playing alongside each other?

We would have Gazzas enthusiasm and work rate, alongside Hoddles skill and flair. One to take the game by the scruff of the neck, the other to ping a pass to split a defence. Who wouldn't want to play with these two behind you? Which brings me onto my link man.

Teddy Sherringham was the best link man Ive ever seen in a Spurs shirt. He would look like a bloke taking a stroll on a Sunday then bang its in the net. Not blessed with a huge amount of pace with which to beat defenders, he had a brilliant football brain and could read a game way before anyone else. He could knock a ball at his colleagues feet or dummy a pass brilliantly and its a shame we were never good enough to keep him.

Up front who do I choose? Archibald? Falco? Allen? Crooks? Kane? Rosenthal? Hey I loved rocket Ronnie! For me it has to be Lineker and Klinsmann. Gary Lineker joined from Barcelona in the summer  of 1989 signed by his former manager Terry Venables.  A league winner with Everton he joined us in one of our most traumatic times. Issues of the pitch meant that any progress was hindered and he eventually left to finish his career in Japan. Not before he had won us over with his skill and goal scoring exploits. A true 6 yard finisher if there ever was one.

Jurgen Klinsmann was a diver and cheat, if you believe all those that spoke about him when he joined us. A German International he was tarnished with the label all foreign players who came here at the time got. He may not have left in the best of circumstances but he bought me a lot of fun whilst he was here. Scoring his first goal he raced across the pitch and dived along the floor! Perfect answer to his critics. Plus don't forget he resigned for us when we were on the brink of relegation as well. A special player deserving of his place in this team.

So that leaves the manager and there can be only one and that is  Keith Burkinshaw. I believe he would have got the best out of this group of players, having won 2 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup with us this team would be unstoppable. So that's my best team in the years I've been supporting Spurs what's yours?

                                                           Erik Thorsvedt GK 89-96


Danny Thomas RB 83-88 Gary Mabbutt CB 82-98  Ledley King CB (Cpt) 99-12 Danny Rose LB 07- 
                 

                                                            Graham Roberts DM 80-86


                               Glenn Hoddle AMF 75-87                  Paul Gascoigne AMF 88-92

]
                                                           Teddy Sherringham AMC 92-97 and 01-03


                                Gary Lineker ST 89-92         Jurgen Klinsmann ST 94-95and  97-98

Manager: Keith Burkinshaw 76-84