'Beat my 49? If anyone can, Harry can' - Clive Allen

It’s 30 years since Clive Allen’s goal-den season at Spurs.

Clive scored 49 goals in 54 appearances in 1986-87. It remains the best goal tally for a single season in the Club’s history, toppling the 42 achieved by two greats - Jimmy Greaves in 1962-63* and Martin Chivers in 1971-72.

It’s a total that surely can never be beaten. Or can it? Harry Kane racked up 35 goals in 2016-17 after an incredible second half to the season. His 35 goals came in 38 appearances in all competitions, including eight goals and two hat-tricks in the final week to secure the Golden Boot, having missed a number of games (eight in the Premier League) due to two spells on the sidelines injured.

Would have have got close to Clive’s 49?

Below: Clive slots home a penalty against Manchester United at the Lane

The man himself believes if anyone is going to do it, Harry will be that man.

“The 86-87 season was a phenomenal season for me and one I’ll never forget,” said Clive, who scored 84 goals in 135 matches for us between 1984-88. “Whether or not anyone beats it...I’ll be honest, I hope they don’t! But if anyone can, it will be Harry, for sure.

“I grew up listening to my father Les (striker in our double-winning team of 1960-61) and Jimmy Greaves took his place in the double side. He told me he was the greatest goalscorer that’s ever been.

“I managed to beat his best total and I’m proud of that, and I see great things in Harry. It’s absolutely fantastic what he’s done.

“Don’t forget after that first season in 2014-15 people were saying’well, it was a bit of a lucky season, a one-off’ but he’s now done it for three seasons, not one. To be that consistent at that level is phenomenal, especially in the modern game now.

“He’s in the best place to score goals – so anything is possible!”

Coming soon - a fascinating insight from Clive into Harry’s game, from the raw 16-year-old Clive used to hold striking clinics with at our old Spurs Lodge training ground through to the double Golden Boot winner and now England captain...

*Greavsie also scored twice in the Charity Shield in 1962-63