Today I'm going back 28 years to 1994 and Tottenham's FA Cup 3rd Round Replay against Peterborough United at White Hart Lane played on a Wednesday night in front of 24,893.
The original tie had been played on 8th January at London Road, Peterborough, the Posh's home (search on my blog for an article as to why they're called that!) and ended in a 1-1 draw watched by over 19,000 people. Spurs were not having a good season and the draw against lower league opposition was another sign that things weren't going well for the club. Spurs had dominated the first hour of the match but couldn't manage to score the all important goal and, sure enough, Peterborough then scored first. It was left to Jason Dozzell to nod home an equaliser with just four minutes to go to save Tottenham's blushes. However, avoiding defeat and having the chance to put the tie to bed at White Hart Lane left most Spurs fans there that day satisfied with the outcome. We weren't to know how much of a struggle the Replay was going to be, nor how close Spurs were going to be to being knocked out.
Today's programme cover star is a player who arouses strong feelings amongst the Spurs faithful. Sol (Sulzeer) Campbell spent nine years at Tottenham making 315 appearances for the club and scoring 15 goals. I was there for his goal scoring debut against Chelsea in 1992. It may surprise you to know that, although Sol was to become a towering centre half, his early career at Spurs was as a striker. Campbell developed into one hell of a player at Spurs and eventually captained the club to their League Cup Final victory in 1999. With his contract due to expire in the summer of 2001, the club made him an offer of a new contract that would have made him the club's highest paid player ever. There were lots of assurances from Campbell that he would commit his future to Spurs but time ticked on and still the contract did not get signed. In one interview, Campbell confirmed that he would never play for Arsenal so it came as a huge shock to everyone, including the media, when he signed for Tottenham's North London rivals that summer in search of Champions League football and the experience that would cement his place in the England team. Overnight he became a hate figure at White Hart Lane (he was nicknamed "Judas") and the atmosphere was poisonous because of his presence every time the two clubs met thereafter. My view? It's unfortunate that Campbell made as many comments about what he was and was not going to do that turned out to be untrue but I don't blame him for choosing the move to Arsenal. Arsenal were the more successful club at the time and he was much more likely to win silverware there as indeed he did (2 Premier Leagues and 3 FA Cups) in his five years there. Campbell went on to make 73 appearances for England scoring one goal so I'd say his decision to sell his soul to the devil was vindicated. It doesn't make me feel good about him though!
By contrast, Peterborough's goalkeeper in the featured game was top man Fred Barber. Barber was one of the game's characters who had a great rapport with supporters of both sides. He was known for regularly wearing a rubber mask and wig before games just for a bit of fun. Imagine Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie running out in his goalkeeping jersey and you'll have some idea of what Barber looked like. Overall Barber made 406 League appearances during his career and has had a long and successful subsequent career as a coach.
In the featured game, Spurs took an early lead through Nick Barmby but, once Peterborough equalised, Spurs never looked like finding a way through and the game went to extra time and then penalties. It was the first penalty shootout at White Hart Lane since the 1984 UEFA Cup Final and only the second shootout in domestic football for Spurs. Goalkeeper Ian Walker became the hero on the night saving Peterborough's fourth penalty while Spurs managed to score all five to go through 5-4. The feeling was one of relief. It was most definitely not a glory, glory night at the Lane that evening.
Having made such a meal of their 3rd Round opponents, Spurs, managed by Ossie Ardiles then crashed 3-0 against Ipswich Town in the 4th Round and their Cup dreams were over for another season. In the Final in May, Manchester United hammered Chelsea 4-0 to win the Cup.
CRB Match No. 874
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