Catching up with... Clive Allen

The latest in our occasional series where we catch up with one of our legendary former players - this week, as we prepare for our return to Premier League action at Everton on Saturday, we speak to Clive Allen, who stepped out for his Spurs debut at Goodison Park 33 years ago...

Clive Allen

- Joined Spurs from QPR, August 1984, following in the footsteps of father and double-winner Les
- Scored twice on his debut at Everton on August 25, 1984
- Overcame injury to hit Club record 49 goals in all competitions in 1986-87
- In total, scored 84 goals in 135 matches for Spurs, FA Cup finalist 1987
- PFA and Football Writers Player of the Year, 1987
- Capped five times by England
- Also played for Palace, City, Chelsea, West Ham. Millwall and Carlisle in career spanning 1977-95
- Turned his hand to NFL and was kicker for London Monarchs in the World League in 1997
- Development coach and assistant first team coach at Spurs, 2003-2012
- Now a regular pundit on TalkSport and part of our legends' hospitality team

Why I love Goodison Park...

Clive: "Goodison Park was always one of my favourite away grounds. I was up at Goodison for Everton’s Europa League game against Hajduk Split (as a pundit for TalkSport) and the Evertonians, who love their football, were saying to me ‘you always used to score here for Spurs’ and I used to love playing there. The reason I loved it...I actually played with Mark Falco for London Schools against Liverpool Schools at Goodison when I was 14. I remember that night, it was incredible. There must have been 15,000 fans  for an Under-15 schoolboy game, which was amazing. I fell in love with Goodison that night and every time I went back there, I had good times. Having said that, they were always good Everton teams!"

Below: Clive celebrates a goal against West Ham - Boxing Day, 1986

My Spurs debut v Everton - 1984

Clive: "It was my first competitive game for Spurs and a massive day, the first game of the season. I made my debut, as did John Chiedozie. Everton had a strong side and were going to be one of our rivals that season (they went on to win the old First Division title, we were third). It was a tough start for us and a great win. I just remember we started the game well, I managed to score a couple of goals and we won well, 4-1. John also scored, as did Mark Falco."

Below: Clive slots home against Manchester United - May, 1987

Tough days...

Clive: "My second season at Spurs (1985--86) was a disaster. The start to my Spurs career was great, I felt comfortable, I knew a lot of the lads and was welcomed so well - but then I picked up an injury, I ruptured my groin and struggled, I couldn’t get it right. It was basically a year before I was fit again. It was a horrible time out, really tough. The only good thing was I managed to come back with about 12 games to go of that season, played, scored a few goals and got reasonably fit again. I then trained throughout the summer and had my best season in 1986-87 (his record 49 goals). That was a phenomenal season for me and one I'll never forget."

Below: Harry Kane on target for England against Malta

Goals never in doubt for Harry

Clive: "I felt for Harry in August, because he’s doing nothing different, he’s got the same attitude and mentality and it’s just not happened for him in front of goal. Of course, the clock ticks over, September arrives and he scores straight away! There was never any doubt he’d score before too long. Don't forget, we’re now talking about an experienced player in Harry, he’s done it for a number of seasons. He would have experienced little lulls and he’ll understand that he needs to keep his mentality strong and now he’s up and running again, there are absolutely no fears about the goals following. His level of goalscoring in terms of consistently finding the net is the best around."

Below: Fernando Llorente

Llorente is the perfect fit for Spurs

Clive: "I believe Fernando Llorente is a fantastic acquisition for the Club, an experienced player who has been there and done it and I think he’s the perfect fit, I really do. It will be competition for Harry, who in turn has the character to want to keep on learning, and will continue to do so throughout his career. You only have to look at Llorente and what he’s done..at every level he’s been a winner. I'm sure he’ll play a big part and at this stage of his career, with the experience he’s had, he will be invaluable."

Below: At the Lane with father Les, Steve Archibald, Phil Beal and Stephen Carr at the Finale - May, 2017

And finally, Everton on Saturday...

Clive: "I covered Everton’s games against Hajduk Split in the Europa League for TalkSport. Ronald Koeman has a lot of options now in different positions. Gylfi Sigurdsson is a good addition because if there was one question mark, it was how they were going to replace Lukaku’s goals from last season and they now have goals potentially coming from different areas, not neccessarily the front men, but they can share goals around. They have some talented youngsters, Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are going to be exceptional talents and there is a nice mix in the squad with those youngsters and experienced players like Wayne Rooney, who looks like he’ll be big influence on that team."