Mark Falco Double as Tottenham and Villa Share Charity Shield – Know Your Tottenham History

The 1981 FA Charity Shield was contested on this day, 22nd August. Aston Villa as 1st Division Champions and Tottenham, the FA Cup winners met at Wembley and shared four goals and the trophy. Mark Falco who was playing in place of the injured Garth Crooks, scored both of Tottenham’s goals but it was a new signing who made the headlines.

During the summer, manager Keith Burkinshaw had made two signings to strengthen his Cup winning team – Paul Price a central defender came from Luton Town and Liverpool’s experienced goalkeeper, Ray Clemence joined for a fee of £300,000. Only Clemence made his debut at Wembley in place of Milija Aleksic but it was a inauspicious display from the usually reliable keeper as an error contributed to Villa’s opening  goal.

Experienced Goalkeeper

Keith Burkinshaw had been looking to find an experienced goalkeeper since he allowed Pat Jennings to go in the summer of 1977 after Spurs were relegated to the 2nd Division. Burkinshaw’s decision to give the younger goalkeepers an opportunity backfired when none of them proved up to the task of  football in the top flight. Barry Daines who had progressed through the Tottenham youth system was first in line to replace Jennings and was reasonably successful in the promotion season when he was ever present. The step back into the 1st Division proved more difficult and another young youth team product, Mark Kendall, was introduced. The experienced Aleksic was signed in December, 1978 and for the next three seasons, he shared the goalkeeping duties with Daines and Kendall. An injury to Daines in March, 1981 gave Aleksic the opportunity to get back into the team as they progressed towards their Wembley success over Manchester City.

Following the Cup win Burkinshaw signed Clemence who had been a crucial member of the successful Liverpool team. He was 33 years old, a year older than Jennings had been in 1977 when Burkinshaw released him to Arsenal because he was ‘past his best’.

Aston Villa 2  Tottenham Hotspur 2

 Scorers: Withe (2)                          Falco (2)

Tottenham played their FA Cup winning team apart from Clemence in goal and Falco as strike partner to Steve Archibald. Falco scored twice and could have had two more as he twice shot straight at the Villa goalkeeper when put clean through. Spurs started the better and for twenty minutes were in complete control. Villa came more into the game and Clemence was called upon to make his first save. A minute later, however, he dropped the ball at Peter Withe’s feet and Villa were ahead on the half hour. It was two minutes before the interval when Falco equalised following good play between Paul Miller and Archibald who played it to his strike partner who wheeled on the spot to beat Jimmy Rimmer.

Three minutes into the second half, Falco put Spurs ahead when Tony Galvin’s cross was pushed out to Glenn Hoddle who played Falco in to do the rest. Villa responded quickly and were level within four minutes when Withe headed in a cross to the far post. In the second half the best chance of a winning goal came in the last minute when a shot from Archibald was saved by the goalkeeper.

Team: Clemence; Perryman, Miller, Roberts, Hughton; Ardiles, Hoddle, Villa, Galvin; Archibald, Falco. Subs: (unused) Aleksic, Price, Jones, Brooke, Smith

Speaking after the match Clemence admitted his mistake, saying, “I misjudged it so it has got to be down to me…..This was my first real test of the season in terms of top class, competitive soccer….it is going to take time to get used to playing with a new side.”

His manager, acknowledged Clemence’s mistake but backed his goalkeeper,

"“He (Clemence) will be invaluable to us this season. He did well apart from the first goal, and it is always a bit strange at a new club. I saw his value when he spotted things quickly and nipped them in the bud. He is a positive character and will be a big help to our defence.”"

Mark Falco is the last player from the Tottenham youth team to make a success as a goalscoring forward with the first team. Speaking after the match he spoke of his opportunity of getting into the Spurs’ team,

"“The first goal was the best I’ve ever scored. It was my wrong foot too. Before Garth was injured I was just an ordinary squad player. I only ever got called in when there were injuries but now I aim to keep my place in the team having got in. This is the best day of my professional life.”"

He went on to say, “I’m very happy at Spurs, I supported them at school and it was always my dream to play for them. There are no bigger clubs around than Tottenham. I am just trying to do the best I can.” Falco who was 21 years of age at the time had started only 11 League games for Tottenham since his scoring debut at Bolton in May. 1979. He went on to make a total of 217 League and Cup appearances for the club scoring 90 goals in all competitions and was in the UEFA Cup winning team of 1984, converting one of the penalties in the penalty shoot-out.

#knowyourtottenhamhistory  21st August, 2010