Paul Gascoigne's final competitive action in a Tottenham shirt came in the 1991 FA Cup final. Against Nottingham Forest he was fortunate to avoid being sent off for an ugly tackle on Gary Charles, only to disastrously injure himself soon after in a similarly reckless attempt at a tackle.
Yet even had Spurs lost that match (which they won), anyone at the club would have been hard-pressed to have been angry with their talented midfield. Coaches, teammates and fans alike were aware of the debt they owed Gascoigne in even being at Wembley that day.
Gazza scored a brutal, long-range free-kick against rivals Arsenal in the semifinal, an opening salvo to remember, before helping instigate the move for Gary Lineker's second. Throughout Spurs' run the England midfielder had been in sensational form, inspiring his team through successive rounds.
If that cup run was Gascoigne's most tangible contribution to the Tottenham cause, it was the all-round ability that so mesmerized the White Hart Lane faithful for three seasons that sees him rank so highly here.
Gascoigne was (and still is) a hero of the English game. That he played his best football during his time at Spurs is something to cherish for the club's supporters.
The Gareth Bale of his day, except with less penchant for theatrics and creatively falling over, Cliff Jones' bravery could serve as an example to his young compatriot.
Comparisons of Bale to Jones are not wide of the mark. A fellow Welsh wing wizard with a happy habit of scoring goals, Jones too was a tormentor of defenders who could run all day long. With Bobby Smith, Les Allen, John White and later Jimmy Greaves positioned and ready, he found worthy marksmen to finish the chances he would often provide.
The 1960-61 Double-winning team was full of tremendous talent, among who Jones was worthy enough to be regarded as one of the best.
An invigorating presence, the Wales international time and time again would come up with the goods for his club side. Departing in 1968, he had continued to contribute even as injuries took their toll, and long after several of his teammates had moved on.
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