Tottenham’s Longest Serving Player

Born in December 1951 in Ealing, Steve is the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in Northolt, Middlesex and attended Gifford Junior School and Eliots Green Grammar School with elder brothers Ted and Bill. As a youngster Steve enjoyed many sports but it was football where he excelled. He became a regular member of the Ealing schools’ F.A. XI, Middlesex S.F.A. and he also played for the London Schools’ F.A.

Steve joined Tottenham Hotspur as an apprentice in July 1967 and progressed through the youth scheme at White Hart Lane. He was upgraded to full professional in January 1969. He broke into the Spurs first team at the age of 17, in 1969, and made his league debut against Sunderland in September of that year. Steve was also being recognized at England Youth level, achieving 4 schoolboy caps and 4 England youth caps. He also received 17 caps for England Under -23’s (a record).

Steve became a League Cup Winner in 1971 when Spurs beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Wembley. A year later in 1972, Steve played in his first UEFA Cup Final Vs Wolves. Played over two legs, the first saw Spurs win 2-1 away and the second leg was drawn one all at White Hart Lane

Steve was back at Wembley in 1973 becoming a League Cup winner for the second time when Spurs beat Norwich City 1-0. Steve played in his second UEFA Cup Final in 1974 against Dutch side Feyenoord. Played over two legs, Spurs were eventually defeated 4-2 after a two all draw at home, and a 2-0 defeat away.

Steve won the F.A.Cup in 1981 when Spurs met Manchester City at Wembley. After a 1-1 draw in the first meeting the game was replayed in a thrilling evening game at Wembley. Spurs went on to win 3-2 with goals from Garth Crooks (1) and Ricky Villa (2) whose winning goal will always be remembered in Cup Final History.

Tottenham returned to Wembley a year later meeting QPR in the 1982 F.A.Cup Final. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Glenn Hoddle scoring from the penalty spot. The replay at Wembley saw Hoddle scoring a second penalty for Spurs which won them the cup for the second year running. Lifting the cup for the second year running was a proud moment for Steve who became only the third man in history to lift the F.A. Cup for two consecutive years.

This was a tremendous period in Steve’s career and his excellent form at right back earned him an England call up at the age of thirty. Steve was included in the initial 1982 World Cup squad and won his first full England cap in a warm up game, coming on as substitute against Iceland in Reykjavik in 1982. In the same year Steve was awarded “Footballer of Year” by the Football Writers Association.