Ray CLEMENCE

When Ray Clemence signed from Liverpool for £300, 000 in August 1981 the 33 year old had already appeared 55 times for England and was recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. At 6ft 2ins Clemence had the perfect physique which, combined with an excellent temperament, helped him to command and organise a relatively inexperienced Spurs defence. Tottenham finished 4th in Division 1 in Clemence's first season, their highest position in over a decade. The new Spurs 'keeper managed 25 clean sheets in all competitions throughout that first season. Clemence tasted the North London derby atmosphere on three occasions in his first season in London. In March the sides drew 2-2 at White Hart Lane and Spurs won 3-1 at Arsenal in April. The old rivals were also drawn together in January in the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup at The Lane, with Spurs winning 1-0. In the seven games it took Tottenham to win the season's F.A. Cup Clemence kept the opposition out on five occasions, including the final replay where Spurs defeated Q.P.R. 1-0.

The England international's performances in the League Cup had been even more sensational. Remarkably, Clemence was unbeaten in all seven Spurs games on the way to the final, these included two 1-0 wins over Manchester United in the 2nd round tie. It was with only three minutes remaining of the final, against his former team Liverpool, that Clemence was finally beaten, by Ronnie Whelan's late equaliser. Two further goals in extra time gave the cup to Liverpool, but Ray's performance had been outstanding. Spurs finished 4th in Division 1 in 1982-83 and Clemence appeared in all but 1 league game, keeping 12 clean sheets. Seasonal highlights included home wins over Southampton 6-0, Arsenal 5-0, Manchester United 2-0 and champions Liverpool 2-0. The master 'keeper played in seven of Spurs opening UEFA Cup games in 1983-84 but agonisingly out on the semi-final and final, where Spurs defeated Anderlecht. Clemence had picked up an injury in early January and would play only a few more times that season. (Tony Smith)

 Having missed out on Spurs UEFA Cup triumph through injury Ray Clemence was back to full fitness for the 1984-85 season, playing in all Spurs 58 competitive games. With Peter Shreeve now in charge, the White Hart Lane club finished 3rd in Division 1. Clemence kept the opposition at bay on 18 occasions, including two 1-0 victories over runners-up Liverpool. The Spurs 'keeper also enjoyed a stunning 4-1 victory at eventual champions Everton. In the Londoners attempt to defend their UEFA Cup Clemence played in all of Spurs 8 games. Although Ray had the satisfaction of keeping the mighty Real Madrid out in the 2nd leg of the 4th round tie in the Bernabau Stadium, the Spaniards single goal win in London sent Spurs crashing out. At 37 years of age Clemence appeared in all of Spurs 53 competitive games throughout the 85-86 campaign, keeping 14 clean sheets. Tottenham finished 10th in Division 1 and failed to make any impression in either domestic cup.

The only pleasure in a below average season for Clemence was that he shut Arsenal out twice in the league. The sides drew 0-0 at Highbury on New Years Day and Spurs beat their rivals at home by a single goal in March. With the appointment of David Pleat as new boss at the beginning of the 1986-87 season Clemence had played under three managers at Spurs in only five years. In a season that promised so much Ray appeared in 56 of the club's 57 competitive games, preventing the opposition scoring on 25 occasions. The season was to finish in heartbreak however with Spurs finishing 3rd in Division 1, losing in the League Cup semi-final after three games with great rivals Arsenal, and then going down 3-2 in the F.A. Cup Final to Coventry. In October 1987, after a total of 330 games for Spurs, Ray Clemence retired through injury and joined the club's coaching staff. (Tony Smith)