- Feb 1, 2005
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Graham Roberts: Where to begin? There was much more to "Robbo" than being the hard man, he could pass the ball both long and short, fearsome in the tackle, he wore his heart on his sleeve, led from the front and was both skilful and uncompromising and sometimes carried the team with his unflinching attiude and optimism. He also had a priceless knack of scoring both important and memorable goals.
Roberts arrived at White Hart Lane in 1980 for a then non-league record fee of £35,000 from Weymouth and made his first appearance on 4th October 1980 at Stoke City during a 3-2 win. He had to wait only a short while for his full debut which came on 6th December 1980 during a 2-1 reverse at Anfield. His first goal for Spurs came during a nervy FA Cup quarter final against Exeter City at WHL, I remember we won 2-0 but both goals came very late on in the game. He famously scored our goal in the home leg of the 1984 UEFA Cup Final (see photo) and many people also still remember his long range goal against Bruges the following season.
Robbo made 276 full appearance for Spurs with a further 11 as substitute and scored 35 goals. He was twice an FA Cup winner with Spurs 1980/81 and 1981/82 as well as a UEFA Cup winner in 1983/84 and he won 6 full England caps, a total many, including myself, believe should have been a lot more.
There are many "Robbo" stories, so over to you................