He has been regarded by some as a controversial choice of Spurs Cult Hero, but his 49 goals in a single season, in 86/87, is frankly ludicrous, and is unlikely ever to be repeated.Please do share your thoughts on Allen – first impressions, favourite goals, crowd chants – as well as any memories you may have of meeting the man off the pitch.
(This one is of particular personal interest, as although I remember seeing him on TV, his Spurs career fits in that niche after my old man stopped being a regular at the Lane, and before I started – so I’m intrigued to get a better idea of the crowd reaction to him…)
11 replies on “Spurs’ Cult Heroes – Your Memories of Clive Allen…”
I had a season ticket during his famous season & he was like nothing I’d ever seen before or since. Lineker wasn’t fit to lace his boots as far as being a natural finisher is concerned.
One match that stands out was a game at home to (i think) Norwich. It was 0-0 with about half hour to go and Allen touched the ball 3 times in the 2nd half, scored at hatrick and we won 3-0.
That was the man all over
saw this season of allens 49 goals and it is hard to believe this tally, 33 being the league……he scored nearly every time in the box…..amazing year…..hoddle etc
The only ex-gooner that we ever bought that wasn’t a waste of space.
Better than Linekar, only Klinsmann since had the same ability in the box. His goals to shots ratio was exceptional, in part because 80% of them were on target. Good in the air as well. He played in a useful Spurs team of course and got good service but he was the most clinical finisher the clubs seen apart from Greavsie, who I think we’d agree played in a different era. That said Defoe shows similer traits, methinks no coincidence now that Clive is onboard again.
Like nick, I was at the Norwich game and thats the game that sticks in my mind, I think that sums him up to be honest, he only needed a chance and 99 times out of 100 he would put it away, mind you the midfield he had around during that season probably helped a fair bit, hoddle, ardiles, hodge, waddle, p.allen.
I was there for the Norwich slaughter, and that’s what it was and Clive was the Master Butcher, a fantastic player and much missed inthe modern era, but hisinfluence lives on, look how Defoe is benefitting from his pearls of wisdom
It was either the Norwich game or maybe one at Loftus Road and Clive was playing pants. Pleaty went to make a change and Clive was so sure he was about to be called in he started walking over only to see 11, his cousin Paul called in. Afterwards the interviewer asked him why, given his performance up until that point, he’d not called Clive in. Pleaty responded by saying that when you need goals you never take a goalscorer off, even if his is having a ‘mare cos all he needs is a sniff…he proved him right, ending up with a hat-trick having only touched the ball three times!
I grew up in the north of Ireland and made my first trip to the lane accompanied by my uncle for a midday game against Watford in December 1987. We waited at the gates to see the players arriving in their cars. Clive Allen arrived in the same saloon car as Paul, Stevie Hodge and someone else but he was the only one to make his way over to the fans who had gathered. I got his autograph and we chatted for a while, I told him the trip over was my Christmas present and asked him to score a goal for me to top things off. We won 2-1 with goals from Paul Moran and Clive Allen and that was about the best Christmas present an 11 year old kid could get…
Haha, thought I was the only one who remembered that Norwich game! Nick has it perfectly. First half he was useless, did not look like a footballer. Second half…
I was privileged to see all the home games that season from my vantage point on the Shelf. Allen had a patent move; he would dash into the box between the two centre halves, then pause. This meant that he created space, either in that gap or by allowing the defender marking him to drift on. Either way, he had that fraction of a second to pop the ball into the net, usually with a first time touch. The alternative was a decisive burst to the near post.
My memory is that Allen was (obviously)very popular but I wouldn’t say he was loved, in the way many of the Spurs greats have been. I guess he did not stay around for long enough.
Legend!!! enough said
Tottenham on my mind : how can you say” I wouldn’t say he was loved, in the way many of the Spurs greats have been. I guess he did not stay around for long enough” Allen was absouloutly prolific, he scores 49 goals in a season, for my beloved tottenham, what do the board of directors do SELL HIM. Same board made the decision to sack Burkinshaw , who was the second most succesfull manager the club has had, next to the great Billy Nick. As much as I love the players that have graced the field at White Hart Lane, why do we always end up with wankers in the board room. Tottenham till I die