Dreams do come true sometimes
One image that struck a chord with me recently was that of Brian Clough walking hand in hand onto the old Wembley pitch with Terry Venables ahead of their teams at the 1991 FA Cup Final.
Published again at the time of Venables' recent passing, the picture suddenly came into my mind last night on Christmas Eve.
Here were two rivals, displaying their mutual respect and their excitement at an event which was then still a much-revered date in the football calendar.
There was Brian Clough, a football legend, who with Peter Taylor had reached the very top with Nottingham Forest, not once, but twice when winning the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. He won the league not only with Forest, but previously with Derby, of course.
Venables was a revered coach and his heyday with England was yet to come.
One connection between the two managers was Dave Mackay, who had left Tottenham for Clough's Derby in 1968, but was not part of their Championship-winning side. Mackay would follow Clough as manager at Derby and also lead them to the title.
Venables' connection with Dave Mackay was as a fellow FA Cup winner for Spurs in 1967. Terry also appears running towards the scene of the famous Mackay-Bremner photograph, taken at White Hart Lane on August 20th, 1966. I was there too.
In that 1991 FA Cup Final, Clough was desperately seeking a first FA Cup success. That didn't happen. Even legends' dreams don't come true sometimes. Spurs won that final, and the eight-time winners have yet to play in another FA Cup Final, let alone win the trophy.
In 1991, two rivals (not enemies) approached a crucial event hand-in-hand. In a world of too much hate and war (especially at this very moment), I dream of a world of love and peace.
Dreams do come true sometimes and I also dream of a Spurs FA Cup success, perhaps this coming May. "Big Ange" could become a Spurs legend and angel! On the other hand, as Only Fools and Horses' Del Boy would say..."This time next year...."
We've all lost loved ones this year. At this Christmas time I sincerely hope that all our hopes and dreams may come true. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Top of page | Spurs Odyssey Home Page
