It has been 18 years since Gary Mabbutt retired from professional football. It is fair to say that a lot has happened at Spurs in those 18 years but not nearly as much as did during his 16 year career at The Lane.
Mabbutt played alongside Hoddle, Ardiles, Perryman, Lineker, Klinsmann, Anderton, Waddle and Sheringham. He also shared a locker room with Kevin Scott, Andy Booth, Bobby Mimms, Stuart Nethercott, Jose Dominguez and Andy Sinton.
He was a key figure in a team that was a fannies hair away from a treble in 1987, and was part of the team which won away at Oldham in 1994 to avoid relegation.
He had his face smashed in by John Fashanu in what was essentially assault. Suffered a horrific broken leg on the opening day of the 1996-97 season, missing the entire campaign and played his final match at the end of the following season.
He saw Scholar change Tottenham, and in effect, football into a business. He was there when Tottenham were moments away from going bust, he was present during the farcical 12 point demotion and FA Cup banishment (both rescinded).
Mabbutt signed from Bristol for Tottenham, one of the countries biggest and most successful clubs, upon his retirement we were floundering. A team that didn’t seem to have a great sense of direction. His retirement for many, myself included, was very much the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s association with the past glories of the previous decade.
What is often forgotten about him is what an excellent player he was. Capable of playing in a number of positions, indeed he played for England in midfield as well as defence in his not to be sniffed at 16 caps (one goal).
Mabbutt became synonymous for his unfortunate own goal in the 1987 FA Cup final but if you have ever, ever, seen a happier face when he lifted the cup four years later then you are a liar or you’re in a maternity ward because it remains a thing of pure, unbridled joy.
For many, Mabbutt is a player they won’t have seen, nor is he a player who generates a great deal of nostalgia. YouTube isn’t going to be awash with Mabbutt’s greatest moment accompanied by some Euro techno beat. But for those who do remember him, it is with admiration. A player who had to overcome huge odds as a diabetic, and whilst not the most naturally athletic chap, he managed to play a total of 581 matches for Spurs scoring 38 goals in the process.
There is a significant number of football players who generate bad press, Paul Gascoigne has been one of those, yet again it speaks volumes about the man that Mabbutt is that he has remained a loyal friend to Gascoigne where so many have courted his company for the less than honest purposes, Mabbutt has been nothing but a rock for his old team mate.
And this is what is so great about him; on the pitch and off it the man went about his business as a leader with the utmost of integrity. A Tottenham legend and someone who we should treasure here at Tottenham Hotspur.
I hope there is some kind of nod to him when the new stadium is complete but few players, few people have done as much for the name of the club as Garry Vincent Mabbutt.
Mabbutt played alongside Hoddle, Ardiles, Perryman, Lineker, Klinsmann, Anderton, Waddle and Sheringham. He also shared a locker room with Kevin Scott, Andy Booth, Bobby Mimms, Stuart Nethercott, Jose Dominguez and Andy Sinton.
He was a key figure in a team that was a fannies hair away from a treble in 1987, and was part of the team which won away at Oldham in 1994 to avoid relegation.
He had his face smashed in by John Fashanu in what was essentially assault. Suffered a horrific broken leg on the opening day of the 1996-97 season, missing the entire campaign and played his final match at the end of the following season.
He saw Scholar change Tottenham, and in effect, football into a business. He was there when Tottenham were moments away from going bust, he was present during the farcical 12 point demotion and FA Cup banishment (both rescinded).
Mabbutt signed from Bristol for Tottenham, one of the countries biggest and most successful clubs, upon his retirement we were floundering. A team that didn’t seem to have a great sense of direction. His retirement for many, myself included, was very much the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s association with the past glories of the previous decade.
What is often forgotten about him is what an excellent player he was. Capable of playing in a number of positions, indeed he played for England in midfield as well as defence in his not to be sniffed at 16 caps (one goal).
Mabbutt became synonymous for his unfortunate own goal in the 1987 FA Cup final but if you have ever, ever, seen a happier face when he lifted the cup four years later then you are a liar or you’re in a maternity ward because it remains a thing of pure, unbridled joy.
For many, Mabbutt is a player they won’t have seen, nor is he a player who generates a great deal of nostalgia. YouTube isn’t going to be awash with Mabbutt’s greatest moment accompanied by some Euro techno beat. But for those who do remember him, it is with admiration. A player who had to overcome huge odds as a diabetic, and whilst not the most naturally athletic chap, he managed to play a total of 581 matches for Spurs scoring 38 goals in the process.
There is a significant number of football players who generate bad press, Paul Gascoigne has been one of those, yet again it speaks volumes about the man that Mabbutt is that he has remained a loyal friend to Gascoigne where so many have courted his company for the less than honest purposes, Mabbutt has been nothing but a rock for his old team mate.
And this is what is so great about him; on the pitch and off it the man went about his business as a leader with the utmost of integrity. A Tottenham legend and someone who we should treasure here at Tottenham Hotspur.
I hope there is some kind of nod to him when the new stadium is complete but few players, few people have done as much for the name of the club as Garry Vincent Mabbutt.
