January 23 2005

Andy Johnson

Unable to remember ever witnessing CPFC defeat Tottenham, Jamesey was euphoric after our 3-0 win at Selhurst on Saturday (Jan 22).

You know how it is when some clubs get right up your nose?

And one that has got right up my hooter over the decades is Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

The first time I saw them live was in our second spell in the top division in the 1979-80 season.

At the time I had a season ticket in the seated area of the Arthur Wait stand which was unsegregated.

Thus it was that I had to listen to their arrogant and supercilious fans complaining about everything - the ground was cr@p the seats were the wrong shape, our team (unlike theirs) was primitive and unskilful.

Although we were well above them in the table, they gave off an aura of elitism and when this was pointed out to a particularly obnoxious group, they got quite upset. What a shame.

And I couldn't really fathom why a side that played such classic and wonderful football needed a homicidal leg-breaker like Terry Yorath (father of the famous Gab) in its ranks.

Anyhow that was the start of my Spurs phobia and things didn't get any better.

Whenever I trekked up to White Hart Lane we always got turned over. A horrible Cup slaughter in the late 80s still gives me nightmares.

And Klinsmann's free kick at Selhurst in the dying minutes in our 94-95 relegation season to give them a point still makes me feel quite nauseous

Also, of course, Chris Armstrong (brilliant Palace striker in the early to mid 90s) had to score against us in another relegation season defeat - 1-3 in 1998.

Even so, forty years ago is a long time and they were an admirable team in their prime under the recently departed and much mourned Bill Nicholson.

But now the image of Tottenham to most football supporters is "delusions of grandeur", "living in the past", "Arsenal envy" and so on, and so forth.

Anyone who bothers to read my column will know that I don't go along with hatred, violence, malice and unpleasantness.

But after AJ's penalty made it three in the second half I just couldn't resist joining the "Premiership, you're 'avin' a larf" chant.

What a delight to stuff their own first half sentiments right up the Lane!

Email Jamesey with any of your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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