'OH STEVIE, STEVIE

STEVIE, STEVIE PERRYMAN'

* * *

Steve Perryman joined Spurs in 1967 and signed as a professional in 1969.

He was soon recognised as one of the best readers of the ball in the British game. In the mid seventies, Tottenham were struggling for top flight survival and manager Keith Burkinshaw decided to utilise Perryman's wonderful versatility. He switched him to the back four. Steve's leadership qualities in his new role were unquestioned. He was the the youngest ever Spurs captain at twenty. But this new position almost definitely robbed him of a host of full England International caps - the England side preferring two large central defenders.

In his eighteen years at Spurs, Steve Perryman made a record 655 league appearances. His brilliant Tottenham Hotspur career saw him in the same squads with the likes of Alan Gilzean, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Mullery, Martin Peters, Cyril Knowles, Pat Jennings, Ray Clemence and Gary Mabbutt, to name just a few. There were also a couple of Argentinians - Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles, who weren't too bad!

But perhaps the finest memory was the uncanny understanding he shared with Glenn Hoddle. Some of the football played by the two of them was truly inspirational.

Perryman must have been wondering if Spurs were ever going to win any significant silverware under his captaincy. That was until the 1980-1981 season when Tottenham reached the FA Cup final. Their opponents were Manchester City and the game finished in a 1-1 draw. The replay will always be remembered because of one of the afore-mentioned Argentinians. With the score at 2-2, Ricky Villa (who had been substituted in the first game) went on that magnificent mazy run and scored one of the best goals Wembley has ever seen to give us a 3-2 victory. The 100th FA Cup final was Tottenham Hotspur's, and Steve Perryman finally lifted the much coveted cup. What he thought must be a once in a lifetime experience proved not to be. The very next season he was once again the triumphant captain, Spurs beating QPR 1-0, in yet another final that went to a replay.

Steve was voted the football writer's Footballer of the Year in 1982.

His illustrious Spurs playing career finally ended when he played his last match for us on the 4th March 1986, in a 2-1 defeat by Everton.

He moved to Brentford as player/manager.

In July 1993 Steve Perryman returned to Spurs as assistant manager to Ossie Ardiles (the other brilliant Argentinian).

The all-out attacking style deployed by Ossie and Steve was not an immediate success and both departed in acrimonous circumstances in1994.

Perryman then coached in Norway for six months until his great friend Ossie telephoned him and asked him to join him in Japan. He became Ardiles' assistant manager at Shimizu S-Pulse, a team about an hours drive from Tokyo.

He succeeded the Argentinian in 1999, and at the time of writing is the very successful manager of S-Pulse. He is widely tipped as the future manager of Japan. Perhaps teaming up again with Ossie Ardiles.

Although he is happy in Japan, he is well known for his love of England.