On 29th April 1978 the same sunny day that Alty won the FA Trophy on their first visit to Wembley, I doubt that many of us would have paid much attention to the two short words inserted above the headline 'Robins Trophy Romp' in the MEN Pink Final ...little did we know how it would affect us some months later.
Click on thumbnail to see full imageManchester Evening News Pink Final29 April 1978I think that It would be fair to say that Spurs had gone through a pretty torrid time since winning a league and cup double back in 1961. Arsenal were well and truly ensconced as the most significant club in North London. However, that was all about to change. The 1978 World Cup Finals were held in Argentina that summer and the home nation won the tournament whist showcasing some extrordinary talent. Within about ten days of the closing ceremony, Keith Burkinshaw, Spurs manager, had obtained the signatures of two star players, namely, they were, of course, Osvaldo (Ossie) Ardiles and Ricardo (Ricky) Villa. It has to be said that Spur's climb out of Division two was taken without assistance from the two Argentines who signed for Spurs on 9th July 1978.
About nine months later and then this...
F.A. Challenge Cup 3rd Round Draw...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR of the Football League 1st Division v ALTRINCHAM of the Northern
Premier League.
No worries there then, I mean, after all, we were the
Premier League outfit.
The game was scheduled for Saturday 6th January but didn't go ahead because White Hart Lane was...
White Where did all that snow come from so quickly? The scary walk to the ground and back from Northumberland Park Station would have to wait another day or two longer.
The fixture was rearranged to take place on 10th January 1979 and the game was given the go ahead. A 'Football Special' train was chartered to take us to London and I could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that this would be first time (and perhaps the last time) that we had our own train to take us to a game. That was, until I came across this.
Click the thumbnail on the right firstRuncorn Guardian 13th March 1907 Click on the thumbnails to see full images30th December 1978Manchester Evening News11th January 1979Daily Mirror