Five minutes with... Micky Hazard

Micky Hazard, 62, was only 16 when he made the move from his home in Sunderland to join Spurs. He went on to make 170 appearances in all competitions in two spells, 1980-1994, winning the FA Cup in 1982 and UEFA Cup in 1984. He’s a regular at the stadium as a matchday host, and as popular as ever with fans...

How are you today, Micky?

Micky: “I’m very good, sitting at a golf course near Luton, waiting to play in a memorial golf day for Andy King, who used to play for Everton, QPR and Luton, amongst others.”

What was it like to move away from home at 16?

Micky: “I was - still am - a proper family man. I worshipped my mum, idolised my dad. He was full of wisdom and knowledge that he passed on to me. I had four sisters, two brothers and when you have that close-knit family group, moving away at a young age - I’d never been away - was tough. One of the toughest times of my life was that first year away.”

How long did it take to settle?

Micky: “A year, minimum. The Club did so much to help me settle, including letting me travel home regularly. I needed that, knowing I’d be able to go home to see family and friends. Then, as time passed, I thought less and less about home, because you get to know people and settle down. It was a tough period, yes, but one that, thanks to a number of people, I managed to get through.”

What is your proudest Spurs moment?

Micky: “I’m sure people will think FA Cup or UEFA Cup, but my proudest moment was being introduced to the crowd at the White Hart Lane Finale, walking back out onto the pitch, being part of that, 49 legends, stood between two greats in David Ginola and Glenn Hoddle. There’s a photo of that very moment and it was sent to me via Twitter, with the caption, ‘if pride had a face’. It really was the proudest moment of my life, beyond the birth of my children and grandchildren.”

Have you ever cried at a Spurs match?

Micky: “Football is all about emotion, it’s a sport that generates every emotion - tears, happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety - and that’s in the first minute! Have I cried? Yes, on numerous occasions. In fact, the older I get, the more I cry! Walking down the tunnel brings those emotions back every time. It’s been 40 years of my life. I remember being presented with a ‘60’ shirt on my 60th birthday, pitchside. That was a special moment. It’s not hard to make me cry!”

What is your most treasured Spurs possession?

Micky: “You know what, it’s nothing tangible, it’s beyond possessions - and I’ve some great possessions from my time at Spurs - but I’d like to say the thing I treasure most, and, I’m getting emotion again, is my memories. The memories are the greatest things I’ll ever have - scoring a goal in front of The Shelf, celebrating the semi-final winner in the UEFA Cup – and there’s not a day that passes that I don’t think about them.”

Tell us about a phone call after the UEFA Cup Final in 1984...

Micky: “It’s mad, really. If you look at my 40 years at Spurs, I’ve never had a phone call, someone asking for me. We played the UEFA Cup Final second leg against Anderlecht, won on penalties, we’re in the dressing room celebrating, and suddenly the phone rings. Keith Burkinshaw answered, ‘it’s someone for you, Micky’. So, I used to live next door to a butcher, Eric Robson, and it’s him, with his big Geordie accent, ‘Micky, Micky, what a game, the best I’ve seen you play’. I said, ‘who’s this?’ and he said, ‘it’s me, Eric Robson, the butcher’. This was eight, nine years after I'd left Sunderland! How did he get through to the changing room after the UEFA Cup Final? It was so bizarre!”

What about Anfield, 1985?

Micky: “Everyone would trot out the same statistic every time we went to Anfield, that we hadn’t won there since the Titanic went down in 1912 - so, we were up to 73 years. The longer it took, the longer this statistic went on, and the harder it got! So, to go there in March, 1985, and to play a part in the goal that won it - my volley saved by Bruce Grobbelaar, for Garth Crooks to tap in - was an amazing experience. It’s not something you really talk about as a great achievement, but to win, and lift that spell, if you like, was special. It shows it can be done, and if we do it this weekend, I’m convinced we’ll qualify for the Champions League.”

Finally, what’s a typical day for you now, Micky?

Micky: “I love my golf, so it all depends on who is available on the day. I’ll get up, have a bit of breakfast, make my way to a golf course, play a round and then it depends on the full day's plans. I’ll play 18, sometimes 36 holes, and love the competitive nature of it. I’ll often see my grandchildren after that. I’ll then come home, maybe go for a bite to eat, watch any sport on TV, it's all pretty boring, really! Although I’m sure many people would love the golf!”