Tony Galvin

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Tony Galvin

 

Tony Galvin was a rough diamond of a footballer whose presence among a collection of more sophisticated gems brought much-needed attacking balance to Spurs sides of the early and mid-eighties. In contrast to the subtlety and guile of Hoddle, Ardiles and company, the indefatigable Yorkshireman employed a full-frontal, hard-running approach that was apt to catch defenders cold by its sheer directness and simplicity. Indeed, especially on days when the artists were a little off-colour, there was something solidly reassuring in the sight of Tony – head down, elbows out and socks around his ankles – bustling purposefully along his flank.

 

Though the Galvin style has been called naïve, that is hardly surprising in view of his lack of a conventional soccer apprenticeship. While the majority of his contemporaries were learning their craft, Tony was acquiring a university degree in Russian studies, only then joining Spurs as a £30,000 recruit from non-League Goole Town in January 1978. His early progress was interrupted by a pelvic injury which sidelined him for almost a year, and it was not until January 1981 that he sprang to prominence. Then, though still in considerable pain, he scored in the FA Cup third round replay victory over QPR and played a vigorous part during the rest of the campaign that ended triumphantly at Wembley.

 

Tony built on this, becoming invaluable not only for forward sallies but also for tenacity in tackling back, and shared in all Spurs’ successes of that era while forging an international career thanks to a grandparent from the Irish Republic. Though naturally right-sided, he lined up most frequently on the left wing, from which he could cross ably with either foot or cut in and dash across the box before shooting. Some reckoned he was one-dimensional, but in context of the team’s need, the only valid criticism would be his relatively meagre goal tally. When Tony Galvin left for Sheffield Wednesday in 1987, Spurs lost both an underrated player and a welcome down-to-earth influence.

[MK James]

 

Agreed YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~ a legend. Is this going to be a regular feature ? - I'd quite like profiles of Mickey Hazard and Paul Miller...

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Can do!

 

Haven't got Hazard and Miller at the minute, but Richard Gough going up shortly!!

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Richard Gough

 

To most Tottenham fans, Richard Gough was a gift from the gods. They had been longing for a truly outstanding centre-half since the departure of Mike England some 11 years earlier, and in August 1986 the tall, red-haired Scot strolled down from Mount Olympus and got on with the job.

 

In the interests of strict accuracy, Richard arrived from Dundee United – after David Pleat had missed out on signing Terry Butcher – and from his coolly authoritative debut at Villa Park it was apparent that the £750,000 international represented excellent value for money. The basic requisites of any standard stopper, aerial power and a stern tackle, were present and correct but, glory of glories, there was more. Here was a number-five with the skill to retain possession of the ball and pass it accurately, a player who seemed always to have time, a sure mark of class in any sport.

 

As matches went by, the evidence of Richard’s prowess grew ever more conclusive. His astute positional sense, the certainty with which he marshalled the defence and the development of an intuitive partnership with Gary Mabbutt – both men got forward effectively, but such was their understanding that rarely did gaps appear at the back – all augured magnificently for the future. Indeed, Richard’s appointment as skipper at Charlton on New Year’s Day 1987 appeared to fall into the ‘job-for-life’ category, and his leadership was a telling factor in Tottenham’s progress to the FA Cup Final in his first season.

 

Then disquieting rumours began to circulate in the Scottish press that Richard was set to re-cross the border and sure enough, that October, news broke that Spurs were to lose their new bulwark to Rangers for £1.5 million. Some pointed to the handsome profit, but there was black despair on the terraces. It seemed the Gough family could no settle in England, which was of little consolation to fans who would have moved heaven and earth to keep their hero – and five years without a fitting replacement was to render their reaction entirely understandable.

[MK James]

 

Excellent! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> A great time to grow up watching Spurs. And though I've never seen the footage since I can still see Tony Parks advancing a couple of yards off his line...

[JKiF]

always annoyed me that Gough let his missus wear the trousers in his house

 

 

thought finally the one to replace MacKay

 

 

still that's sweaties for yer.....

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

The Anderlecht video is for sale on Ebay at the minute, MK.

 

Think I may stick in a bid!!

[pabird]

Always remember standing in the doorway to Spurs on a match day and as the players turned up they were all addressed by their first name

That was until Gough arrived and he was addressed as Mr Gough in total respect