ON THIS DAY

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (H) 1965

Throughout their history, Torquay United have never managed to defeat a top-flight side in the FA Cup. One of the few occasions they came close to doing so came in the third round in 1965 when they drew 3-3 with Tottenham Hotspur at Plainmoor.

After knocking out Canterbury City and Colchester United in the first and second rounds respectively, United were drawn at home to the North London giants who had become the first team to the League and FA Cup ‘double’ in the 20th century four years earlier.

Managed by the legendary Bill Nicholson, Spurs featured a number of household names in their line-up, including Jimmy Greaves, Alan Mullery, Maurice Norman, Cliff Jones as well as future Gulls manager Cyril Knowles.

Cup fever gripped South Devon and the tie also attracted attention from further afield, as Fleet Street journalists Desmond Hackett – of the Daily Express – and Danny Blanchflower, captain of the Spurs double winning side four years previous, were amongst the press pack dispatched to Plainmoor to cover the match. .

A crowd of over 20,000 poured into Plainmoor to watch the encounter and it looked at one stage as though they might be set to witness a giant-killing act as Bill Atkinson gave United the lead from the penalty spot, after Robin Stubbs had been felled by Knowles. Scotland international Alan Gilzean then headed home a cross from skipper Ron Henry for an equaliser for Spurs before an effort from Norman and a second goal for Gilzean gave the visitors a commanding 3-1 lead.

However, with five minutes remaining, Stubbs netted twice to bring United level in the most dramatic of circumstances, and Tommy Northcott rattled a header against the bar just before the final whistle, as the two sides met again at White Hart Lane for the replay.

Meanwhile, in the press box, Hackett predicted that the tie would end in a draw and had greeted Stubbs’s equaliser with the comment: “Told you, all arranged….you lads should have listened to me.”

This prompted the Western Morning News’ long-serving United correspondent Roy Page to reply when Stubbs missed his late effort: “I suppose that was bloody arranged as well.”

Unfortunately, there was to be no fairy tale ending for United as Spurs resoundingly won 5-1 – with Jimmy Greaves scoring a hat-trick.

The original tie ultimately proved to be the last hurrah of the long reign of United manager Eric Webber who replaced at the end of the campaign, after 14 years in charge.

His replacement, Frank O’Farrell, led United to promotion in his first full season in charge – the 1965-66 campaign – with many of the players who had held Spurs to that famous draw being part of the side who achieved it.

The United line-up:

United: Terry Adlington, Alan Smith, George Allen, John Benson, Colin Bettany, Trevor Wolstenholme, Bill Atkinson, Geoff Cox, Robin Stubbs, Tommy Northcott, George Somers

OTHER MEMORIES

1988 – 3rd Round loss to the Cup holders

United go down 2-0 to holders Coventry in the FA Cup at a very muddy Highfield Road!

BIRTHDAYS

Guy Branston (45). TUFC: 2010-11 – Appearances 69, Goals 2

Myles Anderson (34). TUFC 2017-18 – Appearances 23, Goals 2

James McQuilkin (35). TUFC 2014-15 – Appearances 22, Goals 1

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT – GUY BRANSTON

Guy Branston had been on Paul Buckle’s radar for a while, and once the imposing centre back had finally made the move down to Plainmoor on loan from Burton in 2010, you could see why! With the team needing belief and knowhow to go alongside their talent, ‘The Pickler’ settled in right away and the Gulls went onto finish the 2009-10 season in great form, with a 5-0 beating of Rochdale showing an intent that would be carried forward into the next season.

Branston signed permanently that summer and with the likes of Chris Robertson and Mark Ellis able partners in central defence, the Gulls defence notched up clean sheet after clean sheet, ending on an impressive and somewhat agonising 998 minutes without conceding! Buckle’s team continued to push hard with Guy a key man, and after a convincing play-off victory over Shrewsbury, United looked well set to reach League 1. Unfortunately heartbreak at Old Trafford followed, days later Paul Buckle left and the popular Branston would never play for United again.

He had been named TUFC’s Player of the Year and also in the League 2 PFA Team of the Year, and found an offer from Bradford City too good to refuse. In a period packed full of excellent characters at Plainmoor, Guy was a perfect fit, a chap who loved each and every battle, and a team mate who helped improve the players around him. In our current situation guys like Guy are much missed.

COYY – STEVE

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