Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack? The Spurs Nostalgia Podcast

Terry Venables has appeared throughout this podcast in fragments — the fall‑out with Alan Sugar, the 1993 dismissal, the echoes of his influence on players and coaches who passed through White Hart Lane. But until now, we’ve never told his story in full. Not the Spurs chapter, not the England chapter, not the Barcelona chapter — the whole story.

In this special standalone episode, recorded outside the usual season structure, I’m joined by journalist and author Tim Rich, whose new biography If I Can Dream: The Life of Terry Venables is the definitive portrait of one of English fo...

Season 3 of Is Gascoigne Gonna Have a Crack? is nearly here — and in this short preview Gareth sets the scene for the next act in our Spurs nostalgia journey.

We’ve just closed the curtain on the mid‑90s: Ardiles’ idealism, Francis’ pragmatism, Sheringham’s brilliance, Klinsmann’s fleeting magic, and a White Hart Lane beginning to take on its final familiar shape. Now we step into a new era — one defined by identity, upheaval and the rapid transformation of English football.

Gareth explains how Season 3 picks up exactly where Season 2 left off: Christian Gross clutching his Tu...

In the 1990s, following Spurs from overseas meant creativity, patience and a lot of luck. In this episode, Gareth speaks to two long‑standing supporters whose experiences reveal just how different football fandom looked before the digital age.

Steff moved from London to the United States in 1986 and found himself in a footballing desert. No live matches, no radio, no newspapers covering English football — just the occasional cup final on satellite TV and the hope that an Irish pub might be showing something. His stories include missing most of the Gascoigne era, hunting down broadcasts across Cali...

Opening day in the 1990s wasn’t just a fixture — it was a feeling.

In this special bonus episode of Is Gascoigne Going Gonna Have a Crack?, I’m joined by Jonny Blain (An Echo of Glory) to explore the sights, sounds and rituals that made the first weekend of the season so magical.

To mark the opening day of the 26/27 season this episode focuses on the pre-season build up and opening days from the 90s. From Shoot and Match magazines to the Match Team Tracker, from Saint & Greavsie to Soccer Saturday, from sunshi...

Andy Turner’s Spurs story captures the texture of early‑90s football: a 17‑year‑old winger unexpectedly breaking into Terry Venables’ first‑team plans, scoring a winner at White Hart Lane, and then finding himself part of the most unusual competition Spurs ever entered — the 1995 Intertoto Cup.

Andy only played in one of the four Intertoto games, but his memories of the trip to Cologne are rich and revealing: the intimidating atmosphere, the world‑class opposition, the makeshift Spurs squad, and the surreal feeling of being treated like a first‑team player in a competition the club didn’t take seriou...

Season Two closes with Part One of our deep dive into the 1997/98 campaign — a season that began with hope, glamour and new signings, and quickly descended into one of the most turbulent autumns in Spurs’ modern history.

Gareth is joined by Rosa (Hometown Glory) and Dame Julie Welch to revisit the first three months of the season: the arrivals of Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, the legacy of David Howells, the emotional fallout from Teddy Sheringham’s departure, and the indifferent start that saw Gerry Francis leave the club in November.

And then came h...

I was joined by Gerry Francis, our longest serving manager of the 90s, to relive life in the dugout at White Hart Lane. Gerry talks candidly about working with Alan Sugar, his enormous pride at managing Spurs and his role in the incredible 94/95 season.

Gerry discussed the myth that he turned down the chance to sign Dennis Bergkamp as Klinsmann's replacement, signing Ginola and the way that English football was going as the 90s progressed.

Gerry also talks about managing his son's severe OCD.

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Gareth is joined by David Harris (Grumpy Old Spurs podcast) to revisit the 1996/97 season — the year when Spurs’ mediocrity didn’t just begin, it fully took hold.

This was a truly forgettable campaign: a summer so underwhelming we couldn’t even complete the signing of Tony Thomas from Tranmere, followed by a season that opened — and continued — with relentless frustration.

We explore a year defined by:

In this episode, I’m joined by broadcaster and host of The Tottenham Way podcast Marcus Buckland as we continue our journey through Tottenham Hotspur’s 1990s seasons — this time landing on the often‑overlooked 1995/96 campaign.

After the chaos, colour and heartbreak of 94/95 — Klinsmann, Popescu, Barmby, Ossie’s Fab Five — the following season felt far more subdued. Marcus and I dig into why 95/96 struggled to leave a lasting mark on supporters, despite the numbers telling a very different story.

We revisit a campaign full of contradictions: big wins over Arsenal and Manchester United, two strikers h...

This week on Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack? I’m joined by Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson, who was part of the era‑defining Capital Gold Sport team throughout the 90s — a golden age of English football nostalgia and the soundtrack to how London followed the game.

Steve talks through his career journey, from volunteering at the newly created Capital Gold Sport, to covering Spurs during one of the most chaotic and memorable periods in 90s football, and eventually becoming one of the most recognisable voices on Match of the Day.

...

Chris Slegg is back as we continue the story of the incredible 94/95 season.

In Part Two we discuss Gerry Francis' arrival, the introduction of Terror Tuesdays, a very unusually Spurs phenomenon of keeping clean sheets (while continuing to score goals) and the bittersweet end to the season that saw FA Cup heartbreak and Klinsmann's departure.

What makes 94/95 the most fun of all Spurs seasons? Chris is best placed to discuss this.

You can buy his book The Team That Dared To Do - kindle version is available here - https...

94/95 might just be the most fun season in Spurs' entire history let alone the 90s. It was an absolute rollercoaster but remembered so fondly by fans and players alike.

I was joined by Chris Slegg who co-wrote the 2017 book 'The Team That Dared To Do' alongside Gerry Francis that serialises this incredible season. It was so incredible and incident packed that we've broken it into two parts.

In this episode Chris and I talk through the pre-season excitement of Klinsmann and the Famous Five and the early part of the season that saw...

The Summer of 1994 was as dramatic and turbulent as the near-disaster of the season we'd just endured. Theo Delaney and Milo both returned to the podcast to discuss:

The rollercoaster ride that was Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990s didn't stop when the season ended as this episode explores.

Read all about Spurs' mayhem...

Joining me this week is former Spurs player Jason Dozzell who spent four years with us between 1993 - 1997.

Jason talked candidly about:

Buy Jason's book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Follow-Thunder-Jason-Dozzell-Story/dp/1801509190/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LOQYR7UPOA5O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Pf94SdHHh7Ac0NODzs_5AP...

We kick Season 2 off with a season review of the near disaster that was 93/94.

Vass Koni of Dr Tottenham podcast shares his memories of a traumatic campaign that started well but descended into chaos amid a severe injury crisis. We spiralled into a death spin that was just a miraculous win at Oldham away from relegation.

what do you remember about this season? Share your memories on Spotify or find me and Vass on Bluesky.

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Season 2 is finally here! Landing after the trauma and near-disaster of the 25/26 season Season 2 of Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack? will take you through what was previously considered as one of the most difficult times to support Spurs with relegation haunted campaigns in 1994 and 1998.

In this trailer episode I talk you through the 10 episodes that will land with you through Summer 2026 and there are some audio clips to whet your appetite. Episodes will drop on Tuesday mornings..

As discussed - do make sure you listen back to the recent episode with...

This week, to round off the increasingly traumatic 2025/26 season I have a look back at all our final games of the season from the 90s and additionally our home matches against Everton.

The final day has an end of summer term feel to it...but only if there's nothing riding on it. In the 90s our competitive seasons had invariably long ended by May so games were usually only significant for our opponents aiming to win league title or to stay up. However, final day is also a time for farewells and I talk through some...

In this bonus episode, I look back at Spurs’ away days at Stamford Bridge in the 1990s — a decade when our rivalry with Chelsea completely changed shape. I walk through all eleven matches, but also the bigger story: how Spurs entered the 90s as the established force and Chelsea the chaotic underdogs, playing in a Bridge so run‑down you could still see cars parked by the corner flag and a greyhound track circling the pitch. As the decade unfolds, the stadium modernises, Chelsea reinvent themselves, and the balance of power shifts. These fixtures tell the story of a rivalr...

In this bonus episode, I’m diving back into one of the most chaotic, dramatic and narrative fuelled fixtures of the 90s: Spurs vs Leeds at White Hart Lane. Across eleven games — league and cup — the decade served up everything from Lee Chapman's handsome face being destroyed by the cinder track and Klinsmann farewells to late equalisers, dodgy back‑pass decisions and some absolute worldies from Sheringham, Anderton and Ginola.

I take you through the lot: the title‑chasing Leeds side of ’92, Teddy’s first Spurs hat‑trick, the emotional send‑off for Klinsmann, and the wild 3‑3 draw played under th...

Statistically our worst fixture of the 90s! What do you remember about away games at Villa Park in the 90s? Apart from our failure to win once there was some drama with Klinsmann getting knocked out by Bosnich, Ginola winning a very rare penalty and Tim Sherwood scoring our final goal of the decade (and century) in style.

I'll guide you through all 11 fixtures played at Villa Park in the 90s in this bonus episode of Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack?

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Ahead of Season 2 that will cover Spurs from 1993 - 1997 I was joined by Pitch Publisher Author Rob Fletcher to discuss the macro football climate during that period and where Spurs fit into it.

We discussed Man Utd's dominance, their main rivals, the impact of the Champions League rebrand, rising transfer fees and wages and the influx of foreign players coming to the Premier League.

Season 2 of Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack? will be released in May and take you through Summer 2026.

Check out Rob's books here - https...

This week I talk you through our four away games at Sunderland in the 90s from the packed terraces of Roker Park in August 1990 where Gazza is booed to Niall Quinn's two volleys that beat us at the Stadium in Light in 1999.

In between we scored eight goals in two other games - an FA Cup demolition in 1995 and Steffen Iversen's hat-trick in March 97.

I also share my thoughts on the significance of this upcoming 2026 encounter in context of our two relegation scares of the 90s.

Buy my books directly...

Singer songwriter and 2000s Global superstar Antony Costa from Blue joined me to discuss his Spurs supporting experiences in the 90s.

Growing up in North London in the 90s Antony, like many of us, had to cope in an era where Arsenal had the better of the local banter stakes. We reflected on how supporting Spurs in the 90s hardened our experiences following the club ever since.

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In this episode I spoke to Spurs legend Micky Hazard mostly about his return to Spurs and brief second spell at White Hart Lane in the 90s. Micky is most synonymous with the 80s where he enjoyed a glittering career as part of the glory team that won 2 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup, but as he explains he was sold to Chelsea in 1985 very much against his wishes.

Micky was desperate to return 'home' but had to wait 8 years util his great friend Ossie Ardiles, now Spurs manager re-signed him. He returned to a very different...

This week I talk you through our 11 home games against Nottingham Forest from the 90s which includes a bomb scare, a penalty shoot-out and Dean f****n Saunders again!

I also discuss some of the relegation six-pointers we played at home in 94 and 98 and conclude that this weekend's game probably wont be the final determining factor in whether we stay up or not. Bit of 80s nostalgia too for you.

I recorded this without making proper notes so there may be a couple of factual errors - if you identify them let me...

In this episode I take you back to the 90s to remember away games at Anfield. Through our history our results at Liverpool have been infamously bad but the 90s saw us record 3 wins - more than in any other decade since we were formed!

I'll talk you through all 9 league games, the results and key incidents plus our two cup wins - the first of which, from 1995, is perhaps, our biggest and most impressive away win of the era.

Stay tuned at the end for a 2-minute snip of my upcoming episode with Gerry...

In this episode I was joined by the co-authors of 'A People's history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club' Alan Fisher and Martin Cloake. Their book, published in 2016, told the history of the club but told through the prism of supporters relationship with the club.

We focused on the 80s and 90s and how supporters of the club reacted to on and off field matters from the decision to pull down The Shelf in 1988 to George Graham's appointment in 1998. We considered the mass commercialisation of football and how that affected everyday fans at White Hart Lane and...

In this Opposition Focus format I spoke with Coventry fan and author Richard Chamberlain about his book 'When The Sky Was Blue' and how Spurs and Coventry's respective stories intertwined.

Coventry were Spurs' first opponents in the 90s and we played each other 23 times throughout the decade...one of 9 opponents that we played in each and every season. We picked two games each to reminisce about - with good and bad memories!

You can find my books about Spurs in the 80s and 90s respectively here - https://90sspursbook.square.site/

90s home games against Arsenal. Not as bad as you might think. We won 4, drew 4 and lost 2. In this bonus episode I'll talk you through all the games, goals and the strange Stephen Clemence phenomenon!

What do you recall about North London Derbies at White Hart Lane in the 90s?

Please do share this podcast series with others. Get in touch with me by leaving a comment in Spotify or find me on Bluesky @80s90sspursbooks. Read all about Spurs in the 80s and 90s with my two books - Hot Shot Tottenham...

In this episode I spoke with Tracy Ryan and Denise Amasanti - original members of Spurs Women - about the clubs early days in the late 80s and through the 90s. It's a fascinating story about their, and their teammates desire to play football in an era where women's football was still frowned upon by many in society. We discuss the club's formation as Broxbourne Ladies, the connection with Spurs and how those early years helped set the foundations for the modern day iteration.

This will appeal to anyone interested in the early years of Spurs...

In this week's BONUS episode I talk you through the horror show that was trips to Old Trafford in the 90s. We played Manchester Utd away on 10 occasions winning precisely on zero occasions with just 2 draws - but the last time we travelled there we all revelled in defeat - but can you remember why?

From double trophy parades to schoolboy strike pairings I'll share with you my memories of travelling to Old Trafford. Let me know what you remember by following me on Bluesky @80s90sspursbooks or by commenting in Spotify. All reviews and ratings...

What do you remember about our 7 home games v Man City in the 90s? There's Gazza and Lineker's glorious homecoming after Italia 90, Nayim enjoying himself against and my personal grudge against Martin Bodenham.

In a nod to contemporary matters I also discuss our 90s managers being under pressure.

Let me know your memories and recollections on bluesky @80s90sspursbooks on Glory-glory.co.uk forum or through spotify.

Buy my books about Spurs in the 80s and 90s here - https://90sspursbook.square.site/

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Spurs and Newcastle both experienced their own rollercoaster of emotions throughout the 90s. In this special episode I spoke with Newcastle fan and Author Andrew Nagy as we discussed our team's respective journey's throughout the 90s told through the prism of 5 matches between us.

Listen in to a two-sided analysis of bursting Newcastle's bubble on their huge return to the big time in 93; a final day draw in 95/96 that left both teams proud but deflated and a relegation 6-pointer in 98 when two former Newcastle heroes returned to haunt them in lilywhite. We also talk about several...

What do you remember about the 8 games against West Ham at White Hart Lane in the 90s?

In this bonus episode I talk you through them including all the usual magic, mayhem and mediocrity? Can you answer these three trivia questions - answers revealed in the episode:

Please share your own...

'MAGIC OF THE FA CUP CLICHES BINGO TIME' - RE-RELEASED TO FIX TECHNICAL ERROR AT START!

I recall all Spurs' 11 FA Cup 3rd round ties from the 90s in this bonus episode to get you in the mood ahead of the 2026 campaign.

What do you recall about Blustery conditions at Blackpool, near humiliation at Peterborough or Garry Brady's dream debut? They all happened in the 90s and are discussed here.

To read about Spurs exploits in the FA Cup during the 80s and 90s (as well as all other games...

Happy New Year! In this bonus episode I look back at our five New Years Day games in the 90s which include Gazza madness and Gerry Francis' magic spells over Alex Ferguson.

What are your New Years resolutions? If you've not got one yet make it to spread word about this podcast. I share some brief plans for this podcast in 2026 at the end of this episode. Thank you so much for listening and supporting in 2025.

To buy my books directly from me - https://90sspursbook.square.site/

Or to...

For me Boxing Day was as exciting as Christmas Day itself....though Spurs would go on to ruin that on several occasions! In this bonus episode I talk you through all our Boxing Day games throughout the 90s and I also touch on some games at Selhurst Park (not always against Palace) too.

Please help to grow this podcast by telling someone about it. Leaving a (positive!) review or rating also really helps.

Got some xmas money from your Aunt that's burning a hole in your pocket? Buy my books about Spurs in...

To close Season 1 of Is Gascoigne Going To Have a Crack?, Gareth is joined by Dame Julie Welch (author of the official Tottenham Hotspur biography) and Milo from The Game Is About Glory to revisit one of the most seismic moments in Spurs’ modern history: the 1993 breakdown of the Alan Sugar–Terry Venables partnership.

This was more than a managerial change. It was a front‑page national story, a boardroom civil war, and a sliding‑doors moment that shaped Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the 1990s — and arguably right up to the present day.

Together...

What can you remember about home games against Liverpool in the 90s? In this bonus episode I talk you through our 10 encounters at White Hart Lane that begin and end with victories and the usual mixture of magic, mayhem and mediocrity in between!

These bonus episodes act as an appetiser in the build up to a forthcoming match. If I manage to trigger any memories or peculiarities you weren't aware of then do discuss them and tell somebody else about this podcast.

Find me on BlueSky @80s90sspursbooks or X @garethdace. Buy my...

Jonny Blain from An Echo of Glory joins me as we reminisce about the inaugural Premier League season 92/93. It was a season that...eventually....provided some great hope as the Anderton-Barmby-Sheringham trio set White Hart Lane alight in Spring. We discussed scoring 4 goals in 5 minutes against Southampton and Nayim's hat-trick at Man City. However, it was ultimately a season of disappointment as Arsenal got FA Cup SF revenge. And what about the Fiorucci Cup?!

There's some cultural references too - Gladiators, Ghost Watch and WWF.

If you're enjoying the podcast please leave a...