Comments on: Spurs’ Cult Heroes - Your Memories of Pat Jennings…

By: Terry Dignan

Terry Dignan — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Perhaps one day someone should write a book entitled ‘THFC - A History of Stupid Transfers.’ The main chapter would surely be devoted to the decision to hand over to Arsenal for a pitiful sum of money the greatest goalkeeper of his generation.

Legend has it that when Pat was told of the decision to get rid of him in the summer of 1977, he wept. He wasn’t the only one. While we then went through a succession of sadly mediocre netminders, Pat proceeded to save his new team time and time again with stupendous goalkeeping. I remember going to Highbury at the end of the 78-79 season - we put on a really good performance, creating some excellent chances. Alas, the great Pat pulled off one terrific save after another and we lost 1-0

What made him such a wonderful goalkeeper? Everything. He didn’t have a single weakness - and he did it all with such style. He was brave, too, in an era when goalies got less protection than they do now. In my mind’s eye I see him producing point blank saves in the UEFA Cup Final against Wolves in 1972. The following year he saved two penalties against Liverpool - in the same game at Anfield!

When he started at the Lane he had some decent players around him but by the end of his career at Spurs the gap in ability between him and the rest of the team was embarrassing. To his credit, the manager who sold him, Keith Burkinshaw, admitted three years later that he’d made a mistake. We could have got another ten years out him. Easily.

By: Doug Nash

Doug Nash — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:34:56 +0000

Easily the best goalkeeper Spurs have ever had or or ever likely to have. You could fill pages with the great saves as there are so many of them! I saw him play many times & he was a real class act, always cool & in control & capable of saves that no other goalkeeper could make & that includes Banks!. At his peak he was easily the best goalkeeper in the world as well as being a very modest man, he almost seemed embarrassed by his own brilliance. There’s only one Pat Jennings & we’ll never see anyone like him again.

By: Ged

Ged — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:42:37 +0000

Met Big Pat prior to the 1993 FA Cup Semi Final and had the privelege of shaking his hand. And when I say shook hands, I mean I completely lost sight of mine for a while there. Anyway, by his own admission, Spurs were the team in his heart and he wouldn’t have joined Arsenal had Spurs wanted to keep him (even if it meant playing in the 2nd division). Easily the biggest mistake of Burkinshaw’s career

By: gazza

gazza — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:37:15 +0000

I remember so many times when was like a god, already mentioned the incredible save against Newcastle or the Goal against Man Utd (when they had a team of gentlemen and were managed by a gentleman as well) but for me it was a normal league game against Stoke with one Gordon Banks in goal at the other end. The two best keepers on the planet obviously it would be 0 - 0 but no it ended up 4-3 with both of them still turning in superb performances.

By: Neil the yido

Neil the yido — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:52:40 +0000

The Man Jennings was in my eyes head and shoulders above the great Gordon Banks, who was a great himself. Big Pat i tell you that you always will be a Yido, and not a scum Gooner. Your best years were at the Lane, where real football is played with reall men LEGENDS.

By: Neil the yido

Neil the yido — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:48:02 +0000

I remember a game in the late seventies, when Pat chased a fan . What happened was when warming up against the Chelsea the fan ran on the pitch and tried to kick Pat. But Big Pat got the better of him by chaseing the length of the pitch tripping the fan up, and then by the scruff of his neck handed him to the old bill. And the fans went wild singing Jennings aggro . And dureing that game he made a couple of hard saves look so easy we went on and won 3 0 Chelsea were relegated brill.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:24:05 +0000

My Uncle had a newsagents. He delivered Big Pat’s papers. One day he let me do it. The garden was massive - like, a 5oo mile driveway or summit! I was so excited I couldn’t walk properly. Didn’t see him though

Great keeper.

Moving to the Scum…and a little man on the radio, when interviwer asked how he felt, and commented that transfers were normal, saying “yeha, I know, but did he have to go to them Arsen*l Ba**ar*s”

By: ray bailey

ray bailey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:43:08 +0000

the best spurs keeper in my lifetime,he took over from bill brown who was a good keeper,but pat was head and shoulders above the rest,magnificent

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:57:24 +0000

Valencia World Cup 1982 - Spain 0 - N Ireland 1. He was a God !! I tell you …A GOD !!!!

By: gillys bald patch

gillys bald patch — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:32:10 +0000

I remember being on the terrace in the Park Lane end against Newcasle. We were defending a corner which was cleared to the ede of a crowded peanalty area A Newcastle player shot and Pat could not have seen te ball until it was virtualy alonside him - He dived backwards and to his right and not only saved the shot but caught it at full stretch in his right hand. The best save I have ever seen