Spurs vs Sheffield United | Boot in both camps | Michael Brown

Michael Brown was one of the hottest midfield properties around when he joined us from Sheffield United in January, 2004.

An aggressive, all-action, box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal, 'Browny' scored 22 goals in all competitions and 16 in the league as The Blades finished third in the Championship in 2002/03. He then scored in both legs of the semi-final as the Yorkshire side beat Forest 5-4 on aggregate, only to lose 3-0 against Wolves in the final at Wembley. His performances earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

Michael joined a Spurs team struggling in the 2003/04 campaign and then going through a transitional period before Martin Jol took over in November, 2004, eventually taking the team back into Europe at the end of the 2005/06 campaign.

He played his part as a young team including the likes of Michael Carrick, Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe, Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon – all in their early 20s or younger - lifted us up to ninth in 2004/05 and then fifth in 2005/06.

However, with the likes of Edgar Davids, Jermaine Jenas and Teemu Tainio arriving and chances becoming limited, Browny moved on to Fulham in 2006 having played 64 times for us in all competitions, scoring three goals.

Now a pundit for the likes of BBC Radio Five Live, Sky Sports and Stadium Astro in Malaysia, Browny, who played into his 40s and recently completed the London Marathon, only has positive words about his time at Spurs.

“I signed and we were struggling initially but Martin Jol took over and started to turn things around,” he reflected. “I enjoyed working with Martin and thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spurs.

“It wasn’t a case of me of wanting to leave, I just wanted to play every week. At that time, every window, there were new signings like Edgar Davids coming in and I wanted to play every week, not sit on the bench.

“Look how Michael Carrick came through and progressed, he went on to have a great career at United. Ledley King, you can never forget his contribution, he’d become a regular by the time I’d signed. The Club was progressing with these younger players.

“I wished everyone the best and went on my way but enjoyed my time at Spurs. It’s a brilliant club, well supported and whenever I bump into anyone now, they always appreciate what I’ve done and say nice things about my time at the Club - and you bump into Spurs fans all around the world!”