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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game:-
The top list features our results against Burnley in the FA Cup whilst the
second list itemises our games in the Football League Cup. (I prefer to
use the proper title of the competition rather than the sponsors! I am NOT
opposed to sponsorship but what's wrong with the proper name of the
competition?)
SEASON RD H/A RESULT
05-06 1 H 2-0
08-09 3 H 0-0
3R A 1-3
60-61 SF VP 3-0
61-62 F W 3-1
62-63 3 H 0-3
65-66 4 H 4-3
SEASON RD H/A RESULT
1982-83 5 H 1-4
1993-94 2R/1L A 0-0
2R/2L H 3-1
I can make no comment on the first two ties referred to above since they
were before my time.
In 1960-61, Spurs and Burnley were, respectively, impending and defending
champions of the Football League. Purists had hoped the game would be
reserved for the Cup Final but it was not to be. Meeting in the tunnel
before the match, Jimmy McIlroy pointed to his claret and blue shirt and
said, "We've never been beaten in these colours here!" "Don't worry,"
Danny said, "we've never been beaten here in our colours either!" (At the
time, we were in the middle of a terrific unbeaten run at Villa Park!) And
Spurs turned on the style and thrashed Burnley in a manner that deserved
more than the three they scored. Bobby Smith scored twice and Cliff Jones
once to send the Spurs through to the Final.
A year later, Spurs beat Burnley in the Cup Final. That man Greaves opened
the scoring, accelerating past the Burnley defence, over-running the ball,
and then cheekily popping the ball into the net. Jimmy Robson pulled one
back for Burnley but Smith thumped one home within a minute and
Blanchflower clinched the Cup with a penalty.
Tottenham were dumped out of the Cup the following January in the middle
of the coldest winter since 1947. There was very little football played
after Boxing Day until early March. The Cup tie with Burnley was postponed
and re-arranged eight times before it finally went ahead two and a
half-weeks after the original date. It was a thoroughly nasty affair. At
least FOUR Spurs players should have been sent off. There was no more
uglier sight than seeing Bobby Smith looming over the referee arguing with
him. Nicholson did not mince his words after the game and apologised to
the fans for a poor performance.
But the best match I have ever seen came when Tottenham were struggling to
regain their place among the elite. We were drawn against Burnley who were
chasing the Leaders whilst Spurs were mid-table. Burnley were 2-0 ahead
after 5 minutes thanks to Andy Lochhead. But Gilzean and Saul took Spurs
to 3-1 and 3-2 before Gilzean completed a stunning hat-trick with a goal
near the end of the game. It was all end-to-end stuff and a thrilling
cup-tie. (We meekly lost at Second Division Preston North End in the next
round.)
Our first Football League Cup tie against Burnley was a horrible affair. I
will not mince words but simply say that on the night we were absolute
rubbish. We were starting to think we were on our way to Wembley but Terry
Gibson scored our only goal that night and we seldom looked like getting
back in the game. My abiding memory of that night is one of wonder that I
stayed to the end because many didn't bother to do so. I haven't looked up
the Burnley scorers as it is too painful!
The last tie saw us draw the First Leg 0-0 at Turf Moor. As I recall, we
had a job to impose ourselves on them before Sheringham scored twice with
Howells scoring the other goal. Burnley's goal was scored by Eyres. A
curiosity of that night was that Durie was replaced by Howells, who was
himself replaced by Paul Moran.
So there you are! Some pleasant memories, some awful ones, too!
Burnley used to be a leading club in the Football League before
footballers became greedy. Their day was ended by the creation of the
motorway network which made it easier to get to the big city clubs. They
were a very good footballing side at their peak in the 1960s. I was rather
sad when they looked like being relegated to the Conference a few seasons
ago but, fortunately, they survived. They have climbed away from the
basement and are on the fringe of the clubs pushing for a play-off place.
Spurs will do well to be wary of Burnley. They will not be a second chance
as I believe there are no replays and all matches will be settled on the
night. I take Spurs to win but the goals may be late in coming .....
COME ON YOUR SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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