This preview was written by Brian Judson

Full Record of Spurs -v- West Ham United

Prem          Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home           5   3   0   2    6 - 6    6
Away           5   2   1   2   10 - 9    7
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Total (Prem)  10   5   1   4   16 -15   16
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1)  33  17   7   9   65- 51   47
Away (Div 1)  33   9   9  15   45- 54   29
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Total(Div 1)  66  26  16  24  110-105   76
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Football Lge
Home (Div 2)  10   4   4   2   18-13    12
Away (Div 2)  10   3   3   4   13-12     9
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Total(Div 2)  20   7   7   6   31-25    21
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Total (Prem)  10   5   1   4   16 -15   16
Total (Div 1) 66  26  16  24  110 -105  76
Total (Div 2) 20   7   7   6   31 -25   21
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Grand Total   96  38  24  34  157 -145 113
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"I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty little bubbles in the air
They fly so high
They nearly reach the sky-yyy-yyyy
Then, like West Ham,
They fade and die ..........
I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty little bubbles in the air"

Once, West Ham had Trevor Brooking in their ranks, floating like a butterfly, but going AWOL when the going got tough. But if the players were fragile, their supporters certainly were not, as anyone who ever became caught up in one of the Firm's rucks know to their cost.

Once, West Ham were a team you could guarantee to beat home and away with scarcely any effort, even when they fielded that immortal trio of Moore, Hurst and, um, er, Peters, him of that description of being a player some ten years before his time.

Once, Upton Park was a nice small ground that exuded warmth and friendship to all and sundry. But I think this began to die the day Manchester United came to town on 6 May 1967 and the Stretford Enders wrecked the local market.

I remember going to West Ham a few times in the 1960s. I can remember Spurs thrashing West Ham 6-1 at Upton Park, with that very good 'keeper, Lawrie Leslie in goal. I can remember another visit when Budgie Byrne ran rings round us and we lost 3-2. That was the Saturday when Dave Mackay was playing for Spurs Reserves and broke his leg again, playing against Shrewsbury Town Reserves. Greaves scored quite a few goals against West Ham in those days.

Although not relevant as it was our first ever League Cup tie, I must recall our visit there in September 1966. I remember the ball ran out of play and the linesman flagged for a throw in to the Hammers. Gilzean swore at the linesman as he was sure it had been a West Ham player (yes it was!) who had last touched the ball. The linesman waved the flag again and the referee came over. The linesman told him what Gilzean had said and Gilzean swore at him again, calling into question his parentage and describing the colour of his guts as being yellow. The referee promptly sent him off. Gilzean always expressed himself in no uncertain manner!

Happier memories are recalled of our visit there in May 1967 when our 2-0 win there confirmed we were back in Europe, not withstanding what happened at Wembley against Chelsea. I remember we were all singing and stomping in the tube trains travelling back to Central London. Happy days!

But for me the best game I ever saw at Upton Park was the 2-2 draw there on 17 October 1970. It was a real humdinger, end to end football, and I think everyone felt they'd seen a very good game. Mullery and England scored for us and I believe Tommy Taylor made his debut for West Ham that day.

I never went back to West Ham after that, mostly because of the rise of the Inter City firm, so I have no later recollections to make of our games there. Suffice to say that the games were friendly but well-fought and they were matches connoisseurs always looked forward to watching.

I think Spurs are capable of getting a draw there. We have some players out injured whilst West Ham have a stronger squad at the moment. Perhaps we will see a 2-2 draw?

Cheers, Brian

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