On this day 1978, we signed World Cup Winners, Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.
Legends.
Legends.
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'78 was the first 'showbiz' finals. Games on the other side of the world and blizzards of ticker tape, we had never seen anything like it.
Sadly it was mired in corruption as we all feared with Argentina needing to beat Peru by 6 goals, and guess what. It transpired many years later that the dictator, Gaultire had cancelled loans made by the Argie Govt. to Peru which was in any language, a bribe.
Ossie and Ricky signing though was nothing short of breathtaking. It had never been done before and they lit up Tottenham.
Was eating me corn flakes in the morning before going off to school, when I heard it on LBC. (where news comes first)
Almost spat them across the table.
Remember paying 7.50 return for the Forest game on normal BR.
Shows how cheap the SSC trains were.
That season;
Liverpool - 6.50
Derby - 4.50
Man Utd - 6.50
Almost spat them across the table.
Remember paying 7.50 return for the Forest game on normal BR.
Shows how cheap the SSC trains were.
That season;
Liverpool - 6.50
Derby - 4.50
Man Utd - 6.50
Off the top of my head.........Well that went down well!!!
I'd say Saturday 5th May 1979 vs Everton in the 1st Division at the Lane. 42nd league match of the season. An equaliser in the 29th minute. Pegging back Brian Kidd's 23rd minute opener. The game finished 1-1
Was I close?
I don't think anyone knew who the fuck Villa was, I don't think he played a single minute. At the time it was reported that he was signed to babysit Ossie. Ossie was seen at the tournament as one of the best players behind the big stars of Kempes, Zico, Rivellio, Vogts, Zoff, Gentile, Dalgleish. I don't think Platini, Tardelli, Rummenigge were well known then. There was, of course, a massive interest in McQueen, Kennedy, Souness and Macari given the Utd and Liverpool thing and no England.
Already a Spurs fan and playing football fast becoming a major pastime (10yrs old).
But that summer was the year I genuinely fell in love with football, hook line and sinker, on the account that I had just experienced my first World Cup. Then to have them join us, from the winning side, wow! My worlds collided.
But that summer was the year I genuinely fell in love with football, hook line and sinker, on the account that I had just experienced my first World Cup. Then to have them join us, from the winning side, wow! My worlds collided.
For me, without resorting to Google, the 1978 World Cup was all about ticker tape, Mario Kempes and a chain-smoking Argentinan manager. I do remember Ossie but don't remember much of Ricky.
It was a real coup though to get them, and they are real legends of our Club.
The less said about their home debut though, the better!
That's because you know your history
In Millenial terms, he was the Matty Etherington to Simon Davies,
...or if you prefer.... the Andy Reid to Michael Dawson!
...but I don't remember Andy Reid or Little Lord Etherington scoring the greatest Cup Final goal of all time...so Ricky's transfer probably worked out a LITTLE better overall!
I remember Villa absolutely flattening Joe Jordan at WHL in 1979. Jordan had been knocking our defenders about. Came over the halfway line with the ball...Ricky made a bee line for him and took him out with a savage swing of his right elbow. Argentinian football at its best. Poch would have been proud of him.
Could play a bit when he felt like it. Nowhere near Ossie though.
Could play a bit when he felt like it. Nowhere near Ossie though.
I remember that headline they both still love the club.
That headline...
That kit....
That tracksuit....
THAT moustache!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen.... I give you;
NINETEEN SEVENTY-EIGHT!
I was 9. But I think they used to say things like not to much is known about this team but their number 9 scored 40 goals for Red Star Belgrade, or something like that.
I would say apart from the really big stars not much was known. My knowledge: Argentina had a really good player with a ridiculous long perm , their stadiums were round shaped, and ticker tape was illegal and cheating.
I think most people in England just about knew who Ardiles was and no idea about Villa. I think I thought that we had to buy Villa to buy Ardiles, that it was some kind of con. I was only 9 though.
I would say apart from the really big stars not much was known. My knowledge: Argentina had a really good player with a ridiculous long perm , their stadiums were round shaped, and ticker tape was illegal and cheating.
I think most people in England just about knew who Ardiles was and no idea about Villa. I think I thought that we had to buy Villa to buy Ardiles, that it was some kind of con. I was only 9 though.
Its where my love affair (some might say obsession) with the Shredded Paper Stuff started!!