"It was Twenty Years ago today!"
article published October, 2017, but first written in 1997 by the late Brian Judson

Full Record of Sheffield Wednesday -v- Spurs

Prem              Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home               5   2   1   2     6-7    7
Away               5   2   0   3     8-9    6
==============================================
Total (Prem)      10   4   1   5    14-16  13
==============================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 1)      34  23   6   5    87-43  56
Away (Div 1)      34   7   7  20    34-58  26
==============================================
Total (Div 1)     68  30  13  25   111-101 82
==============================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)       6   4   1   1    15-8    9
Away (Div 2)       6   1   1   4     5-10   3
==============================================
Total (Div 2)     12   5   2   5    20-18   12
==============================================
Total (Prem)      10   4   1   5    14-16   13
Total (Div 1)     68  30  13  25   111-101  82
Total (Div 2)     12   5   2   5    20-18   12
===============================================
Grand Total       90  39  16  35   145-135 107
===============================================

Over the years, there have been many good games and many games that were instantly forgettable. But twice over the years, Spurs -v- Sheffield Wednesday fixtures settled an argument.

The first of these games took place on 6 May 1950. Spurs were already Champions of the old Division 2, having earned promotion at the beginning of April. But the runners-up spot was still open. Sheffield Wednesday needed a point to clinch promotion as runners-up to Spurs. But Sheffield United could pip them. Wednesday got the point they needed and were promoted.

The second of the two crucial games took place on 17 April 1961. Don Megson, father of Gary, put Sheffield Wednesday ahead. Spurs clinched the match with two goals in a minute. First, Smith lobbed the ball over Swan, darted behind him and smashed the ball behind Ron Springett. Then, Blanchflower took a free kick, Norman headed the ball on and Allen smashed it high into the roof of the net. At the end of the game, the crowd invaded the pitch and refused to go home, yelling "WE WANT DANNY! WE WANT DANNY! WE WANT DANNY!" until Blanchflower led his tired team out to acknowledge the cheering fans.

One of my earliest memories of being aware of Spurs (before I started to attend matches) was reading of a 7-2 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday in January 1955. I have the programme of that match packed up somewhere in my flat here. From memory, I gather Wednesday were a very poor side and Spurs, who were not particularly good at the time, were made to look better than they were. Rowe had just resigned as manager through ill-health and many of his proteges were retiring or transferring to lower division clubs.

For many years, Spurs had an awful record at Hillsborough. After winning 3-0 on 16 September 1937, Spurs did not win again at Hillsborough for almost 31 years when Martin Chivers made his debut for Spurs after leaving Southampton in January 1968. There was only one away record that was worst than this one and that was our record at Liverpool between 16 March 1912 and 16 March 1985.

Most matches between the teams have been played in a friendly spirit. But the game played on 17 November 1962 ranks as one, if not the worst, of the worst games I have seen between the two. There was a great deal of emnity on both sides. It was rare for Dave Mackay to run the risk of being sent off but this game was one occasion he sailed very close to the wind. The result was a 1-1 draw but the game left a nasty taste in one's mouth.

Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from the old First Division at the end of the 1969-70 season and spent some 14 seasons wandering around the lower divisions of the League before climbing back to the top division. But in recent years they have struggled to make an impression on the League despite having on paper a strong squad. David Pleat has not managed to recreate a side that matched his achievements at Luton Town, where against the odds, they stayed afloat for many years when better teams, such as Manchester City were relegated, and his single full season at Tottenham. Even after 10 years, I still feel Pleat deserved better luck with Tottenham than he enjoyed. To my mind, Pleat was a much better manager than the one who succeeded him.

And on Sunday? I hope we win. Whether it is 1-0 and a last minute goal or 5-0 and plenty of flair and panache is immaterial. A win is a win however it is achieved. I'd like to see flair and panache like any Tottenham supporter but that will never happen if the team lacks confidence. And *THAT* is basically what is wrong with Tottenham. To blame all the ills on Gerry Francis is stretching matters too far. The supporters have a responsibility as well : to get behind the team, whatever it is, and support the team no matter how badly they play. Barracking a team will push it deeper into the mire rather than get us out of it. And a supporter who prefers to see us lose in the hope of seeing Francis sacked is *NOT* a supporter in my book.

GET BEHIND THE TEAM ON SUNDAY! PLEASE!!

Cheers, Brian

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