Memorable Tottenham Moments: Ledley King, David Ginola, Peter Crouch

With many former players returning to Tottenham for Ledley King’s Testimonial at White Hart Lane on Monday evening, here are some memories from their time at the club.

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For Ledley King’s testimonial game, he is bringing together some of his former colleagues to play as a Guest XI against the current Tottenham team. Players commitments with their present teams have prevented some from attending, with Tom Huddlestone tweeting that having agreed to play, Hull’s preparations for the following Saturday’s FA Cup Final have required him to withdraw.

Today and over the next three days, I thought it would be interesting to recall the highlights of some of the players who will be returning to White Hart Lane as part of the celebration for Ledley King and to get your memories of these players.

Meeting Ledley King [Photo: Alan Hill]Ledley King

Having come through the Spurs youth system, Ledley made his debut against Liverpool at Anfield on 1st May, 1999 as a substitute in a 2 – 3 defeat, Spurs having been two up in the first half. His full debut came the following October at Derby County in a 1 – 0 win with his first White Hart Lane appearance in the final game of that season, a 3 – 1 win over Sunderland. The following year, Ledley played regularly in midfield for a period midway through the season. It was then that he scored his first goal for Tottenham, straight from the kick-off, after 10 seconds against Bradford City in a match where Spurs were 3 – 1 up but ended in a 3 – 3 draw. This goal remains the quickest goal in the history of the Premier League – a highlight of Ledley King’s career.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VFUJaqnh28

Ledley King’s Tottenham Stats:

Premier League:  Apps. 264 (4)  Goals: 10
FA Cup:  Apps. 20  Goals: 1
League Cup:  Apps. 20
Europe:  Apps. 14

Two Memorable Moments for Ledley King’s Career:

• Carling Cup Triumph: In 2008 playing at Wembley and lifting the Carling Cup after victory over Chelsea. It was a special moment as injury was a major problem for him and it was uncertain whether he would be fit enough to play in the Final.

• That Tackle: A master of the recovery tackle, Ledley was unflappable under pressure and was often able to get back to make a last ditch tackle in a dangerous situation. Against Chelsea at the Lane, Arjen Robben was through on goal with an advantage on the defenders. Ledley managed to catch up with him and tackle him cleanly in the penalty area to avert the danger.

Two other players who will be appearing at White Hart Lane are David Ginola and Peter Crouch. Memorable moments from their time with Tottenham:

David Ginola

David Ginola still strutting his stuff at WHL. [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Ginola was in the Tottenham team at the start of Ledley King’s career and they first played together in Ledley’s full debut at Derby.

• Goal at Barnsley: The FA Cup goal in the 6th Round against Barnsley in March, 1999 when a mazy, Ginola run and shot brought the only game of the game in the season when he was the double ‘Footballer of the Year’.

• Leeds United Goal: At the Lane, his FA Cup goal in a 2 – 0 replay win against Leeds United in the previous round. A super strike to score but there was also the moment when another amazing strike from Ginola went narrowly past and is equally memorable for the reaction of George Graham and the Spurs’ bench as they leapt to their feet in celebration, thinking that it was in the back of the net.

Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch with Brad Friedel [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Ledley King and Peter Crouch were in the same Tottenham youth team and they eventually played together in the senior team after Crouch returned to the club in 2009 after time with Queen’s Park Rangers, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Southampton and Liverpool. Crouch made his Tottenham debut as a substitute in the win over Liverpool in August, 2009 with Ledley as captain.

• At the Etihad Stadium: The headed goal against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in May, 2010 which secured Spurs Champions League place will never be forgotten by Spurs fans.

• Young Boys Berne: The following August, having lost in Switzerland, Crouch’s hat-trick against Young Boys, Berne, ensured Tottenham’s Champions League dream continued with qualification for the group stages.

What are your memorable moments from the Tottenham careers of Ledley King, David Ginola and Peter Crouch.

Tomorrow: More memorable moments of other players who are part of Ledley’s squad for his Guest XI.

Memorable Moments: Sheringham, Carr, Saha: Read more

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