- Feb 1, 2005
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[al] [/al][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Born in December 1951 in Ealing, Steve is the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in Northolt, Middlesex and attended Gifford Junior School and Eliots Green Grammar School with elder brothers Ted and Bill. As a youngster Steve enjoyed many sports but it was football where he excelled. He became a regular member of the Ealing schools' F.A. XI, Middlesex S.F.A. and he also played for the London Schools' F.A. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Steve joined Tottenham Hotspur as an apprentice in July 1967 and progressed through the youth scheme at White Hart Lane. He was upgraded to full professional in January 1969. He broke into the Spurs first team at the age of 17, in 1969, and made his league debut against Sunderland in September of that year. Steve was also being recognized at England Youth level, achieving 4 schoolboy caps and 4 England youth caps. He also received 17 caps for England Under -23's (a record). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In these early days Steve was a ball winning midfield player, a diligent marker and a tenacious opponent. He used the ball intelligently and read the game superbly and was a true team player who never gave less than 100 per cent. He had a neat, compact build and was once described as a 'babyfaced killer' which might sound dramatic but wasn't entirely inappropriate in the football sense. Steve showed great leadership qualities and his performances were rewarded when he was made captain. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Steve became the youngest player in recent Spurs history to captain the side (age 20). It was a role Steve relished and he captained the side throughout the rest of his Spurs career. Steve's versatility saw him play not only in midfield, but in a central defensive role, sweeper and finally at right back. Steve was probably one of the most successful Spurs players since the double winning side of 1961 and was something of a rarity in that he progressed - like Glenn Hoddle - through the youth scheme at [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Spurs[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]. [ar] [/ar][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One man who Steve always looked upon and respected during his time at Spurs, was Bill Nicholson, who as manager, won vast trophies during his 16 year reign in charge. Steve considers that Bill Nicholson and Steve's elder brother Ted had the greatest influence on his career. Steve became a League Cup Winner in 1971 when Spurs beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Wembley. A year later in 1972, Steve played in his first UEFA Cup Final Vs Wolves. Played over two legs, the first saw Spurs win 2-1 away and the second leg was drawn one all at White Hart Lane[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Steve was back at Wembley in 1973 becoming a League Cup winner for the second time when Spurs beat Norwich City 1-0. Steve played in his second UEFA Cup Final in 1974 against Dutch side Feyenoord. Played over two legs, Spurs were eventually defeated 4-2 after a two all draw at home, and a 2-0 defeat away. Steve won the F.A.Cup in 1981 when Spurs met Manchester City at Wembley. After a 1-1 draw in the first meeting the game was replayed in a thrilling evening game at Wembley. Spurs went on to win 3-2 with goals from Garth Crooks (1) and Ricky Villa (2) whose winning goal will always be remembered in Cup Final History. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tottenham returned to Wembley a year later meeting QPR in the 1982 F.A.Cup Final. The game ended in a [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1-1[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] draw with Glenn Hoddle scoring from the penalty spot. The replay at Wembley saw Hoddle scoring a second penalty for Spurs which won them the cup for the second year running. Lifting the cup for the second year running was a proud moment for Steve who became only the third man in history to lift the F.A. Cup for two consecutive years and followed in the footsteps of former Spurs captain Danny Blanchflower who won the cup in 196[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]& 1962.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This was a tremendous period in Steve's career and his excellent form at right back earned him an England call up at the age of thirty. Steve was included in the initial 1982 World Cup squad and won his first full England cap in a warm up game, coming on as substitute against Iceland in Reykjavik in 1982. In the same year Steve was awarded "Footballer of Year" by the Football Writers Association. The appearance in Reykjavik would be Steve's only full England cap and it is thought that his versatility was the main problem [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]for[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] him not gaining more England recognition.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Steve was back at Wembley in the 1982 Milk Cup Final where Spurs met Liverpool who went on to win 3-1 after extra time. Spurs reached the UEFA Cup Final in 1984 meeting Belgium side Anderlecht over a two legged tie. The first leg in Brussels ended in a one all draw and due to suspension Steve missed the second leg at White Hart Lane. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Spurs[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] went on to win in a penalty shoot-out. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][al] [/al]In 1984 Steve was awarded an MBE for his services to football. After a long and distinguished playing career the 85-86 season would become Steve's last for Spurs. After an illustrious Spurs career Steve enjoyed a brief spell at Oxford United, making a handful of appearances, before joining third division Brentford as a player/assistant manager. Steve continued to play whenever needed, even after becoming manager and was still playing at the age of thirty seven. His last professional game came in the 1989-90 season, making a playing career spanning twenty years. Whilst player/manager at Brentford Steve was on the verge of joining an elite group of players who made 1,000 appearances.[/FONT]
Steve Perryman. A player whose name will forever be associated with Tottenham Hotspur and quite rightly holds a special place in our Legends of the Lane series.
Appearances/goals: 655/31 (LG), 69/2 (FAC), 66/3 (LC CUP), 64/3 (EUR)