Glory, Glory, Gone: The Story of Tottenham Hotspur's Regression, Relegation and Rebirth in the 1970s

by Samuel Rooke

From the 'team of the century' to relegation, from Feyenoord to Field Mill, from trophies under the iconic Bill Nicholson to relegation under former Zambia coach Keith Burkinshaw - all in a little over three years. The 1970s weren't kind to Spurs. Nicholson's exit, the loss of legendary players and the club's eventual relegation all took place during a defining decade for British sport, painted against a backdrop of dramatic change for society at large. Social and economic malaise both informed and fed off a blooming culture of football hooliganism. The defining images of the decade were violent ones, both on and off the terraces. This book explores Tottenham's place in that unfolding drama, the club's own Gö tterdä mmerung. But, as in Wagner's Ring, there was also a renaissance. The sun rose again as that same maligned Burkinshaw built an exciting team around the young Glenn Hoddle and World Cup-winning duo Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa. By the end of the decade, Tottenham had been reborn and were ready for more glory, glory days.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2023

Reviews

[Will Kostakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative read, in Rooke's trademark voice. Not a big soccer fan, but it still hooked me.

[Kevin Coaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

On paper the trophy winning Nicholson team to relegation to Cup rejuvenation is a compelling tale. This is meticulously researched, but it just doesn’t offer up anything new.