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Martin Chivers

Martin Chivers

Known for his power, pace, and clinical finishing, Martin Chivers’ professional footballing career stretched far beyond the confines of White Hart Lane Stadium, earning him a special place in the pantheon of English centre-forwards. His brilliance and dominance on the field, particularly during the early 1970s, saw him not only excel in domestic football but also leave an everlasting mark on the international stage.

 

PART ONE

Martin Chivers’ journey into football began in his hometown of Southampton, where he attended Taunton’s Grammar School and dreamed of playing professional football. Determined to make his mark, Chivers wrote to Southampton requesting a trial, and his perseverance was rewarded when he was accepted into the club’s nursery side, CPC Sports. His potential was evident early on, and in September 1962, he signed professional terms with Southampton, at the age of 17.

His first-team debut came shortly thereafter, on 8 September 1962, in a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Charlton Athletic at The Dell. While he didn’t find the back of the net in that first match, it wasn’t long before he opened his scoring account. On 6 April 1963, Chivers netted his first goal in a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James´ Park, marking a historic moment as the first substitute to score for Southampton.

The 1963-64 campaign was a breakthrough for Chivers. He cemented his place as a regular starter, finishing as Southampton’s joint-top scorer with 21 goals, alongside the legendary Terry Paine. This remarkable achievement showcased Chivers’ growing influence on the team, despite Southampton narrowly missing out on promotion from the Second Division. Undoubtedly, Chivers’ talent was undeniable, and his contributions were pivotal as the South Coasters pushed for a long-awaited return to the First Division.

In the memorable 1965-66 season, Chivers was instrumental in leading Southampton to promotion to Division One. His tally of 30 goals in 39 matches, often assisted by the precise crosses of Paine and John Sydenham, was critical to the club’s success. However, a dip in form late in the season, which saw him fail to score after February, raised some concerns, yet his overall contribution could not be overstated.

Despite Southampton’s struggles to establish themselves in the First Division, Chivers continued to impress, though he played second fiddle to Welsh striker Ron Davies in the following two seasons, managing 14 and 13 goals respectively. By 1968, however, Chivers was ready for a new challenge, and Tottenham Hotspur, under the legendary Bill Nicholson, were more than willing to take a chance on the promising striker.

 

PART TWO

In January 1968, Tottenham Hotspur secured the services of Martin Chivers for a then-record fee of £125,000, which also included Frank Saul heading in the opposite direction to Southampton. Chivers’ arrival at White Hart Lane was met with high expectations, though his early years were spent in the shadow of the legendary duo, Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean.

However, Chivers’ perseverance and ability soon ensured he would not remain a supporting act for long. As Greaves left Spurs for West Ham United in 1970, Chivers became the club’s focal point in attack, and it was during the 1970-71 season that his golden era truly began.

During the 1970-71 campaign, Chivers was nothing short of extraordinary. He played in all 58 of Tottenham’s competitive matches, finding the back of the net on an impressive 34 occasions, and becoming the key figure in the club´s Football League Cup triumph that season. The final, played against Third Division side Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium, saw Chivers net two crucial goals in a 2-0 victory over the Villains securing the trophy for the North Londoners and etching his name in the club’s history.

Despite Villa’s determined efforts and a resolute defensive display, Spurs demonstrated their superiority with a composed and clinical performance, dominating possession in key moments. Now, although the Lilywhites were the better side of the two in the first period, they nevertheless went in at the break on level terms.

Ultimately, it was Chivers who managed to break the deadlock with a precise strike in the 78th minute of the encounter and then added a second goal only four minutes later to make it 2-0, taking his goal tally to seven in the tournament. Moreover, his form in the League was also impressive as he notched up 21 goals in 42 appearances, helping Tottenham to a highly respectable third-place finish in the Division One table.

What set Chivers apart from many of his contemporaries was not just his goal-scoring prowess, but his physical attributes combined with a footballing intelligence that allowed him to find space and time in the most congested areas of the pitch. His blend of speed, strength, and instinctive finishing made him one of the most feared centre-forwards in English football during the early 1970s.

The 1971-72 season was the pinnacle of Chivers’ career, as he etched his name into Tottenham folklore. That season, Chivers scored a staggering 44 goals in 64 matches across all competitions, an astonishing feat that included key contributions in both the League Cup and UEFA Cup. His performances in Europe were particularly memorable, as he spearheaded Spurs´ successful campaign to win the inaugural UEFA Cup.

One of the standout moments of Chivers’ European exploits came in the UEFA Cup final, where Tottenham faced Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the first leg at Molineux, Chivers scored twice in a 2-1 victory, effectively sealing the tie in Spurs’ favour. His European form was a key factor in Tottenham’s continental success, and he finished the season with eight goals in the UEFA Cup and 25 in the First Division, underlining his status as one of the premier strikers in Europe at the time.

Martin Chivers’ contributions continued into the 1972-73 season, where he once again demonstrated his remarkable consistency, netting 33 goals in 61 first-team appearances. Tottenham reached the League Cup final and the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup that season, but despite coming agonizingly close to more silverware, Chivers’ individual brilliance shone through, firmly establishing him as Tottenham’s talisman.

As the mid-1970s approached, injuries began to take their toll on Chivers. The 1974-75 campaign marked the beginning of his decline, as niggling injuries and age began to affect his once-prolific goal-scoring form. Nevertheless, Chivers remained an important figure for The White Hart Laners, scoring crucial goals against long-time rivals such as West Ham United, Leeds United, and Arsenal.

He finished the season having scored 11 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for Spurs. However, it was quite clear that his best days were behind him, and by the 1975-76 campaign, the experienced campaigner found himself being phased out in favour of younger forwards like Chris Jones and John Duncan.

In the summer of 1976, Martin Chivers left Tottenham for Swiss side Servette, in a deal believed to be worth £80,000. His time at Spurs had been nothing short of remarkable, with 174 goals in 367 appearances to his name. At the time of his departure, he held the record for Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer in European competition, a record that stood until Jermain Defoe surpassed it in 2013.

Chivers’ time in Switzerland was brief, and he soon returned to England, joining Norwich City and later Brighton & Hove Albion. While these stints did not reach the heights of his Tottenham days, Chivers continued to display the professionalism and goal-scoring instincts that had defined his career. Eventually, he wound down his playing days with non-league sides Dorchester Town and Barnet, before trying his hand at management with brief stints in Norway and the lower leagues of English football.

Although his post-Tottenham career was not as glittering, his legacy remains intact. He was inducted into Tottenham Hotspur’s Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2008, he was appointed the National Development Manager for the Football Association, further cementing his place in the annals of English football.

His time at White Hart Lane, in particular, will always be remembered as one of the most successful periods in the long history of the North London club, and his goal-scoring contributions both domestically and on the continent continue to be celebrated by the Tottenham supporters to this very day.

 

PART THREE

Martin Chivers’ international voyage began on 8 April 1964, a date that would remain etched in his memory. In a match against France, he debuted for the England under-23 team, coming on as a substitute and finding the net. This early success not only confirmed his abilities but also set the tone for what would be a prolific run at the youth level. Over the next four years, he became a regular fixture in the under-23 squad, scoring seven goals in 17 games, a fine tally that hinted at his potential to make a significant impact on the senior side.

However, it was his first full cap for England that marked the real start of his international career. On 3 February 1971, he debuted for the senior team against Malta, a seemingly straightforward affair that would soon be overshadowed by more complicated struggles for the striker. But it was in his second cap, on 21 April 1971, that he truly made his mark, hitting his first international goal in a 3–0 win over Greece. This goal, a poised finish that underlined his class, seemed to confirm his place in the side as a key figure for the years ahead.

Chivers’ performance during the early 1970s made him a mainstay in the England setup. He was not just a goal scorer but a versatile and intelligent forward capable of linking play and creating opportunities. His exploits with Tottenham, including winning the FA Cup in 1971 and the UEFA Cup in 1972, also added weight to his case for a more prominent role within the team. However, as England’s qualification for the 1974 World Cup loomed large, Chivers would soon find himself ensnared in the complexities of national team selection.

By October 1973, Chivers won his final cap, in a fateful World Cup qualifier against Poland. This match, infamous for England’s failure to qualify for the 1974 World Cup, marked the end of a promising international career that had never fully flourished. Despite Chivers scoring six goals in the calendar year of 1973 alone, his appearances dwindled, and after the crushing disappointment of World Cup qualification, both caretaker manager Joe Mercer and his eventual successor, Don Revie, overlooked the Tottenham favourite.

As a result, Chivers’ international tally remained at 24 full caps, with 13 goals to his name. While these numbers are far from insignificant, they stand as a bittersweet reminder of the potential that went unfulfilled on the global stage. His Three Lions career might have been more substantial had the national team not suffered from its own managerial upheavals and tactical uncertainties, particularly under Revie’s reign.

Martin Chivers may not have enjoyed the longevity of some of his contemporaries, but during his peak years he was one of the most feared strikers in Europe. His blend of power, pace, and precision made him a nightmare for defenders, and his goal-scoring feats remain a testament to his ability and professionalism.