Derby legends - Mark Falco

Mark Falco scored the goal all Spurs fans dream about on New Year’s Day, 1985.

A local lad born in Hackney and brought through the youth system, Mark struck the winner against Arsenal in front of the North Bank at Highbury to send us to the top of the old Division One table.

Mark also scored twice in our famous 5-0 win against the Gunners at the Lane in April, 1983 and as a home-grown player, he knew then and knows now what the rivalry is all about.

“It was always a fiercely-competitive match, no-one wanted to be second best,” said Mark, still a regular at the Lane as a matchday host and a regular in our Legends team.

“And being a Spurs kid, it was always great to beat them!

“The best time I had against them was certainly scoring the winner in front of the North Bank on New Year’s Day to go top of the league.

“It was always a great atmosphere at Highbury, a bit hostile but that always spurred us on.

“We actually went 1-0 down that day but Garth Crooks equalised and I then I scored the winner.

“I remember it well, I picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and hit it across John Lukic. It was great to go top of the league and a great moment, especially in front of the North Bank!”

As the teams prepare to meet again in a key Premier League fixture at the Lane on Saturday, Mark, now 54, feels the excitement of the derby as much as ever.

“You can always feel the buzz when it’s derby week,” he said. “People are talking about the game, it’s all over the press and media and you meet fans who just say ‘we’ve got to beat the Arsenal’. I did that quite a few times, so I’m well pleased with that!”