The Tottenham Hotspur side that won The Double (First Division title + FA Cup) in the 1980-81 season is one of the most celebrated teams in the club’s history. They became the first team in the 20th century to win the Double after the original 1960–61 side.
Key Details – 1980–81 Double-Winning
Manager: Keith BurkinshawFirst Division Champions (7th league title for Spurs)
FA Cup Winners 6th FA Cup triumph: beating Manchester City 3–2 in a replay after a famous 1–1 draw featuring Ricky Villa’s iconic solo goal in the replay)
The Iconic Starting XI & Key Players
Ray Clemence (GK) – Signed from Liverpool, one of the best goalkeepers in the world
Chris Hughton (RB)
Paul Miller (CB)
Graham Roberts (CB)
Steve Perryman (LB/Captain) – Club legend, played over 850 games
Ricardo Villa (Midfield) – Argentine World Cup winner, scored that goal in the cup final replay
Osvaldo Ardiles (Midfield) – Another Argentine World Cup winner, an elegant playmaker
Glenn Hoddle (Midfield) – The creative genius, one of England’s greatest ever talents
Steve Archibald (Striker) – Top scorer, Scottish international
Garth Crooks (Striker) – Lethal partner to Archibald
Tony Galvin (Left wing)
Other Important Squad
MembersMilija Aleksic (GK)
Mark Falco
Garry Brooke
Terry Yorath
Micky Hazard (youngster who came through)
The FA Cup Final Replay Goal (Ricky Villa, 1981): Widely regarded as one of the greatest FA Cup final goals ever.
In the replay against Man City at Wembley (May 14, 1981), Villa picked the ball up in his own half, danced past four defenders, and slotted it past Joe Corrigan to win the cup 3–2.
It’s still replayed constantly and voted the greatest FA Cup goal of all time in many polls.
Summary
The 1980–81 Tottenham team, with the glamorous Argentine duo of Villa & Ardiles, the brilliance of Hoddle, and the steel of Perryman & Roberts, is rightly remembered as one of Spurs’ most romantic and talented sides ever to win the English Double.
