Spurs on this Day - no 28 in an occasional series

By Dave P
January 4 2005

Never having played Man U on January 4th it's time for another dig through the archives to see what I can find. This time we'll have a quick look at some fixtures between the clubs

Never having played Man U on January 4th it's time for another dig through the archives to see what I can find. This time we'll have a quick look at some fixtures between the clubs and going back into our early history we first played them (When they were known as Newton Heath) when we entertained them on 28th January 1899 at Northumberland Park. This was in the first round of the FA Cup and a crowd estimated between 13,000 and 15,000 witnessed a 1-1 draw with the Spurs Goal scored by prolific scorer William Joyce. The replay took place at their Bank Street, Clayton ground in front of around 6000 supporters and we won the game 5-3. Goals on that day included another two for William Joyce and one each for James McNaught, Thomas Smith and someone called McKay about whom I know nothing.

James Rankin McNaught (the little wonder) was a player who could perform either as a half back or an inside forward. A boilermaker by trade he played for Dumbarton, Linfield and Newton Heath (Man U) where he was on a £4 per week seasonal contract before moving to Spurs. He appeared 253 times for our first team scoring nine goals before moving to Maidstone.

The first league game between the clubs (Manchester United being their name by then) took place at White Hart Lane in september 1909. This game was a 2-2 draw and both Spurs goals were scored from the penalty spot by Bob Steel. Incidentally these were the first ever penalties in the League for Spurs. The return fixture at Bank Street, Clayton on 22nd January 1910 ended in a heavy 5-0 defeat for us. This was Manchester Uniteds last game at the Bank Street ground before their move to Old Trafford.

Now a bit of fun;

In June 1952 we beat Manchester United 5-0 (in Toronto) and 7-1 (in New Yorks Yankee stadium) in the space of 24 hours while touring North America at the end of the season. Len Duquemin scoring four times in the second game after Jack Rowley had given United the lead. The full details of that tour make for interesting reading;

22-May-52 Toronto & District FA 7 - 0
Walters (2), Bennett, Duquemin (2), Harmer (2)

28-May-52 Saskatchewan FA ----- 18 - 1
McClellan (9), Bennett(3), Duquemin (2), Uphill, Adams (3)

31-May-52 British Columbia FA - 9 - 2
Ramsay (pen), Walters (2), Bennett (4), Duquemin (2)

02-Jun-52 Victoria & District - 7 - 0
Walters, Adams, Baily (4), Medley

04-Jun-52 British Columbia FA - 8 - 2
Walters (2), Duquemin, Baily (2), Bennett (3)

07-Jun-52 Alberta FA ---------11 - 0
Wetton, McClellan (2), Baily, Duquemin (2), Harmer (3), Uphill (2)

09-Jun-52 Manitoba FA -------- 5 - 0
Walters, Bennett (3), Duquemin

14-Jun-52 Manchester United --- 5 - 0
Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, Medley

15-Jun-52 Manchester United --- 7 - 1
McClellan, Bennett (2), Duquemin (4)

18-Jun-52 Quebec FA ----------- 8 - 0
Wetton, McClellan (3), Bennett (3), Medley


Played 10, Won 10 scored 85 and conceded 6.


Enough of that nonsense - I'll settle for a simple lucky 1-0 tonight.