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Keith Mitchell: White Hart Lane memories over changing times

I became a Spurs supporter on 31 March 1951 when my uncle took me to my first game. The result was Spurs 3 Everton 0 (with Spurs recent ascent from the Second Division and Everton’s imminent drop, the match records clearly fixed year and date for my first visit). Don’t remember much about the game, except for my uncle telling me the Everton goalie, Ted Sagar, played for England before the War, although I’ve not heard him mentioned since. The records show Alf Ramsey and Billy Nicholson played in that game.


My first solo visit to WHL was for a crucial late season game on 12 April 1952 when Spurs took on Portsmouth, who in those days were a powerhouse. The result was Spurs 3 Pompey 1; attendance 66,988. Both Alf Ramsey and Billy Nicholson also played in that one. I have two lasting memories from that game. First it was a hot sunny day, the crowd arrived early, and people started fainting. The remedy was they were hauled above our densely packed heads and passed overhead to the front (pitch level) where ambulance personnel could help. The swaying of the crowd standing on the terraces, up and down steps in an uncontrolled way, could also be a bit daunting. Second, I still remember the crowd’s roar when Alf Ramsey went on a searing run from his right back position. A wing back before his time (I don’t think my high school coach would have encouraged a right back to have done that).


My attendance at WHL in those days was perhaps once or twice a year when circumstances fitted, but the next memory was for a new generation of players, such as Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay, Bobby Smith, Cliff Jones (the first being my all time favourite - he combined an elegance of play and thought). We are now in the 1960-61 season and Spurs won their first 11 games, managed by Nicholson, captained by Blanchflower. I attended their next match under the WHL floodlights against Manchester City on 10 Oct 1960. Each team scored once in the first half, but I’ve no memory of those goals. For the second half I was directly behind Bert Trautmann who was brilliant in City’s goal. It was a non-stop barrage from Smith etc, but they couldn’t beat Trautmann. He was famed also for being a German prisoner of war who remained in Britain, and who managed to break his neck in a Cup Final in the days before substitutions were allowed.


I took my opportunities to watch Spurs at WHL and around the country (from Highbury to Old Trafford with places in between). I don’t remember the play for a match against Charlton Athletic at The Valley, but I remember afterwards when about five or six Spurs players caught the same train back to central London as I did (apparently no plush travel for the players in those days). Just after the 1966 World Cup (Ramsey manager) I came to Vancouver. Visits to the UK normally included WHL when my uncle fitted me in with his group of regulars. Flat wooden bench seats, but more comfortable than the alternative. I am not sure how my uncle financed his support of Spurs, since his job dealing with chickens at a farm was not likely high paying. That reminds that football was then very much a working-class activity. My uncle never drove and relied on his bicycle or bus to get around.


In my early days in Canada, coverage of games was limited, although CBC Radio every weekend read the results for all four divisions (football pools were still popular). Therefore, each week I knew how Spurs did through their up-and-down results, but as noted just about all visits to the UK included a visit to WHL. My last live game was at Wembley not long before the new stadium opened. That game finished Spurs 1 Cardiff City 0. Harry Kane was largely invisible, but Danny Rose did the hard work to force a corner from which Eric Dier scrambled a goal. But with retirement I did get to see many games on TV with Vancouver Spurs who often met within walking distance of where I then lived, and even when that group moved downtown it was still an easy bus ride for me. For the last four years I’ve been in Toronto and although less convenient to get to The Yard, I’ve greatly appreciated the enthusiasm and knowledge shown by Matt and all Toronto Spurs. Although I watch Spurs on Fubo at home, I’m with you in spirit!

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Bob Scott
okt. 22.

Great memories Keith! We must be of a similar vintage as I also saw my first Spurs match when Alf and Bill were still playing, as was the great Ted Ditchburn in goal. Also there for those early sixties matches including every one of the incredible European Cup matches. The one and only Danny Blanchflower also remains my all-time favourite player. Coincidentally, like you I also spent years in Vancouver (1972-1987). Pity you can't make it to the yard, but maybe we could get together over a lunch one day for a trip down memory lane.


Bob Scott

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