Martin Chivers to visit Cyprus

Our man out in Cyprus recently interviewed Akis Chrysostomou, the big honcho who runs the Official Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Fan Club on the island, known simply as CSSC (Cyprus Spurs Supporters Club).

Q: What brought about the introduction of an official Spurs supporters club in Cyprus (CSSC)?

Akis: It started off with the desire for Spurs supporters in Cyprus to show their support and to feel closer to their beloved club; after all, it is over 2,000 miles away!

It was also a way of making everyone feel they belonged to a group of like minded fans of great football!


Q: Since the inception of the CSSC, how have you gone about assisting Spurs fans in Cyprus?

Akis: In the 3 years since we became officially recognised as a fan club by Tottenham Hotspur, we have been instrumental in distributing tickets to supporters that may travel back to watch Tottenham Hotspur and also provided tickets for the Cyprus leg of the UEFA Cup against Anorthosis FC.

We have made a home in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, with Paphos and Kyrenia building up a fan base in their regions.


Q: How did you bring "Big Chiv" on board?

Akis: It was a lot of hard work, but it's paid off. We put in a request through the Tottenham Hotspur Members Club Office and Martin [Chivers] was kind enough to offer his assistance.

Since signing Big Chiv up, he's been an absolute star. He's been collecting memorabilia to bring with him, therefore allowing us to auction it off on the night of the dinner and dance for a good cause.


Q: When will Martin be in Cyprus and what's the itinerary?

Akis: Martin will be arriving on Friday evening, 7th May 2010, and will return to the UK on Monday morning (10th May 2010).

On Saturday morning, he will be giving away presents on behalf of the CSSC, to a shelter for abandoned children in Nicosia. For lunch, we'll be dropping into The Meeting Pub (our Larnaca Spurs Bar), which is located on the golden sandy Finikues beach area in Larnaca.


Q: Sounds like quite a bash. Do you have anything planned for the evening?

Akis: We will be meeting at the Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol, where Martin Chivers will attend a media conference followed by a book signing of his autobiography, Big Chiv: My Goals in Life.

As Martin couldn't bring a cargo hold of books to Cyprus with him due to weight limitations, we have asked our members to buy the book online, which they can do at a special rate by clicking on the Amazon link below.



If they order it now, Amazon will ship it in time for Martin to sign it.

Then it's on to the plush Amadeus reception room, that's situated within the Elias Beach Resort. We have arranged a very lavish buffet, which will be accompanied by music. Martin's looking forward to this dinner & dance occasion, as are the rest of us.

On Sunday morning a very limited number of Spurs fans will play golf with Martin and in the afternoon, we will meet up for the final game of the season with Burnley, which will be watched by a great many Tottenham fans in The Cavalier Pub, which is our dedicated Spurs Bar in Limassol.


Q: When do the tickets for the entire two day event go on sale?

Akis: We have just released the tickets for the Martin Chivers event, so get them while their hot. As there are a limited number available; come and book your place quickly!


Q: Who can come along to the dinner & dance and all the other functions that the CSSC have prepared?

Akis: Anyone who wishes to come along and enjoy the company of a an abundance of Spurs fans, as well as spending time with Tottenham Hotspur legend, Martin Chivers, can do so by contacting us either through our website www.Spurs.com.cy, or directly by calling me on +357 96 319 258 or any of the below numbers;

Larnaca Mylton +357 99 666 084
Limassol Alex +357 99 619 980
Paphos Barry +357 97 684 879
Kyrenia Kemal +90533 863 0773


Q: Sounds great Akis. Finally, if someone would like to join the Cyprus Spurs Supporters Club, how do they go about becoming a member?

Akis: It's simple. You can download the CSSC application form off our website, or for any additional information, you can call me.

I would also like to add that with the ticket for the dinner & dance, coupons for dining with Martin at both Pubs (the Meeting Pub & The Cavalier) are included.


There you have it. We'll be there throughout the two-day event and will post some pictures, as well as get an interview from the big man himself, Martin Chivers.



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Big Chiv: My Goals in Life

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Facts

I read that Liverpool boss, Benitez, recently provided a level of insight that proves his unfathomable intelligence; Tottenham Hotspur may possibly drop some points.

Thank goodness this Earth has people like Rafa Benitez knocking around on it. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I hadn't tuned in to his pearls of infinite wisdom.

One thing did trouble me. You see, I was under the impression that the Anfield supremo only spoke facts? I may be wrong, therefore correct me if you wish, but weren't his words to the media based on speculation?

Interesting.

Well, let me add that I do believe that Mr. Benitez is right. I cannot see us winning every game from here on out, especially as we get to ink who the Premier League title could eventually go to.

If I was a betting man, which I am, I would say that "Tottenham from the North" will slip away, Everton started their run too late and Villa....well, 7-1 just about sums up their freefall when the season finally gets interesting. I do believe it will be between us and Liverpool.

I can't see there being much in it either. Maybe we'll end joint fourth on 71 points? What then? Goal difference?

I suppose we'll have to wait and see how this humdinger of a season pans out.

In the meantime, maybe Rafa should focus more on slamming all the former Anfield stars that hit out against him.

Just a thought; did Rafa Benitez throw the boot in on Spurs, because the latest ex-Anfield player to have his say (stand up Mr. Jamie Redknapp), has an affiliation with Tottenham Hotspur?

No, of course not; Rafa Benitez doesn't have a sarcastic bone is his body.


COYS!!!




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Champion's League? You're Having a Laugh

I was involved in an interesting conversation with a few colleagues of mine this morning.

Included in the group of football wannabe pundits, were Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool, Villa and one recently baptised Manchester City fan. We were discussing the teams chasing the fourth, majestic Champion's League spot.

The majority of the office is confident that Spurs can finish in the top four, with Liverpool finishing the season in fifth and City in sixth.

What I did find interesting, wasn't the fact that the majority thought that we could make the Champion's League, but that Tottenham Hotspur could be on the verge of a one-time affair with the lucrative competition.

Let's face up to the facts. Sooner or later, Manchester City are going to get it right. With the money they've got, they can and will buy the league.

If we make the Champion's League and that's a mighty big "if", I believe that it will transform us as a club. We will be able to sign a calibre of player that wouldn't have been available to us previously. Therefore, if we are to cement our place in the Champion's League, year in, year out, we need to invest. Maybe investment isn't the only key ingredient? Hope that we can evolve faster than the chasing pack is also vital.

Everton's Champion's League exhibition didn't bode well for them. Instead of making a real go of it, they went out in the qualifying rounds; qualifying rounds that have somewhat become harder in recent seasons.

Whether or not they decided they had the squad to compete, or simply didn't have the funds to invest, is anyone's guess. What is fact is that the route they took proved that the team they had back then wasn't good enough to compete for the top four position year on year.

Manchester City isn’t the only club we should be worried about. We've also got Liverpool to think of too. They are a sleeping giant, one that, once fully awake, will cause damage.

As things stand, Liverpool need some heavy investment and that could take a while, especially with the internal problems that keep erupting in the boardroom. As well as a new team, as Torres keeps alluding to, they need a new stadium. If reports of them bringing in Jose Mourinho are to be trusted, they will need to fork out some serious dough. The man doesn't come cheap. He's reported to be on £9 million net at Inter Milan. If you take into account the 50% tax scheme that's about to come into play, we're talking £18 million a year! If you get him on a 5 year deal, that's £90 million (plus additional bonuses).

There's no doubting he'd want a few world-class players to, which could mean a further outlay. How much would a few world-class players cost? City spent over £200 million on a group of players that I personally wouldn't call all world-class. Then we come to the stadium issue. That's another £400+ million. All in all, Liverpool could need an investment of near on £1 billion. Football doesn't come cheap, does it?

Aston Villa is also a slumbering giant, one that with the right playing squad could be in the position we're currently in. For them to push on any further, they to would need drastic investment, which, their owner, Mr. Lerner has said won't be forthcoming any time soon.

Therefore, if we are going to make the Champion's League and stay there, we need to reassess some issues in relation to the playing staff. Let's hope the board is game.

Of course, we have to get there first. Who else will become a Wigan Athletic fan tonight? I know I will.





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Nearly the perfect weekend for Spurs

Things could not have gone much better for Tottenham this weekend. A routine home win, a heavy defeat for a fourth place rival and damaging results for Arsenal and West Ham thrown in for good measure - Saturday's Match of the Day made entertaining viewing.

This comes on the back of a good midweek, when dropped points by Manchester City and Aston Villa complimented Spurs' rousing FA Cup comeback against Fulham. Keeping an eye on other teams' fortunes is an inevitable pastime at this stage of the season and the four-way battle for fourth will keep Spurs fans interested in other results until the end of the campaign.

Sunderland could not complete the set of favourable results against Liverpool, but in truth Spurs fans should concentrate more on their own team, and there is much to be pleased about. Five straight league wins leaves us in pole position for fourth place, despite the run of games against the top three on the horizon.

A good FA Cup run should produce a first final appearance since 1991, as watching Portsmouth's walking wounded in action at White Hart Lane induced a bout of chicken-counting. We must surely prevail in the semi-final against them.

As much as we would like things to remain in our own hands, the results of others will be important. Aston Villa's capitulation at Chelsea, on the back of a run of two wins from seven league games, suggests they are suffering another late-season collapse.

Manchester City and Liverpool are the biggest threats and some tricky forthcoming games for our main rivals means the matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United might not be as damaging as we once feared. The looming Football World CupAintree Grand National is less than two weeks away and many pundits expect 2009 winner Mon Mome to pull off a famous double.

Talking about City; I expect them to slip up at home tonight against the mighty Wigan Athletic. Mancini has lost the dressing room, or should I say, never had it in the first place.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; with the money they've spent in the last 18 months or so, they shouldn't be challenging for fourth, but should have been aiming to win the Premier League.

Then again, I suppose they are the "Tottenham of the North"....


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Manuel Almunia: God Amongst Men

Don't you just love the stubbornness of some men, especially those you view as your enemy? Mr. Wenger has been lambasted in the past for not signing a quality goal-keeper, but we all know how Arsène reacts to criticism.

Let me introduce Manuel Almunia. This man capped off a delightful Saturday for me and possibly the majority of Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs fans. I was sat in the Shelf when the jumbo-tron displayed Arsenal's result. The cheer that echoed around me was nearly, if not more so, louder than when we scored our second goal against Portsmouth.

I then saw the goal on Match of Day.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Manny, you are a God amongst men!

Oh and before I go, I want to remind Mr. Wenger that Football is a contact sport, which, by definition, means that players are allowed to tackle each other, as long as the tackling is within the rules of course.

So Arsène, before running off your mouth in a post-match press conference, take a good look at the evidence. Craig Gardner won the ball cleanly. Fair enough, he may have knocked Fabregas to the ground, but as I said, Football is a contact sport.



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Smash and Grab

Are we going to have another 9-1 on our hands, or can you see us making a right old dogs dinner of this one?

Portsmouth, without their most influential player, O'Hara, could fold against tomorrow, or they could have a real go at it, especially if we come across slightly dazed after our midweek F.A. Cup Quarter-Final win exploits.

With Charlie out, Hutton on loan to Sunderland and Kyle Naughton on loan to Boro, that leaves the kid, Kyle Walker, our only recognised right-back. I say kid, because he was only 4 when Klinsmann and Sheringham took Liverpool apart up at Anfield in the F.A. Cup Quarter-Final. I remember it like yesterday! Showing my age...

Or, we could shift Bentley in the full-back position and watch him bomb on up the wing and interchange with Kranjcar? Against Belhadj, I'd rather we had a proper full-back.

Either way, I think our lads are professional enough to get the 3 points against Portsmouth.

Prediction: Tottenham 5-0 Portsmouth




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Deeply Upsetting

For those of you that missed Tuesday's Spurs Show outing, Phil was telling us how it really gets to him when the media salivate over the wondrous football played by Arsenal, but fail to recognise the way Spurs play.

I sat at home and watched last nights game against Fulham with a cousin of mine. He's on holiday from the States, but watched the game, even though Football isn't his forte.

I think we can safely say that my cousin is now a Spurs fan. It was ironic that he would say the following after Gudjohnsen scored his goal:

"Look at the way they (Spurs) play, it's fantastic".

Thing is, we are fantastic. I don't want to blow our own trumpet, but we play great attacking play that even the stubborn neutral will testify to.

If Arsenal had scored the Pavlyuchenko or Gudjohnsen goal, the media would have been all over it today, commenting on how wonderful their style of play is. Yet, we put out some outstanding displays of football, but nothing is said about it.

All we ask for is a bit of recognition. Is that too much to ask for?


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Eidur is so Gud

I won't go on about yesterday's 3-1 F.A. Cup Quarter-Final win over Fulham too much, as most of you either watched the match or already know what happened.

But how many of you truly saw the class of Eidur Gudjohnsen in the second half? Having been placed into the hole behind Super Pav and Crouchie, he command the play. What I did notice, is that the lad is so composed on the ball. Harry was definitely right in his comments that Gudjohnsen knows where his team mates are. Not many players can know what pass they're going to make, before being given the ball. Eidur Gudjohnsen does this without blinking.

Having a player that can control the game is something we've lacked. I do believe that Luka Modrić will, once he gains more experience, have that composure. Trust me, there's more to come from our little Croatian.

Maybe we shouldn't get too excited by Gudjohnsen, but hey, we're in the Semi-Final of the F.A. Cup!

COYS!!!


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Let's Thump Them!

Fair enough, that was a bit arrogant, but then again, I do remember those special midweek cup games against London opposition, eh Ar5ena1?

Asking for another 5-1 drubbing would be too much, especially as Fulham are a pretty decent side in my opinion. I do find it a bit hypocritical of the media, calling for Hodgson to be the next England manager. It's not that he's not England material, but I do remember them slating him when he was at Blackburn. There's no doubting that he's really got Fulham organised and very hard to beat, even though City turned them over, which was expected, given the amazing turnaround against the once great Juventus.

I expect them to be fully up for tonight's game, seeing as they've only got the Europa Cup to play for now and of course, the F.A. Cup. Could be an all nighter.

Prediction: Spurs 0 - 0 Fulham (Spurs win on penalties, 8-7).

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Baled out - how Gareth Bale saved Spurs' season

Gareth Bale: Quality

Perhaps the biggest success story of Harry Redknapp's Tottenham stewardship has been Gareth Bale. Once written off as an error-prone, one-footed dead ball specialist with a winless Premier League curse, Bale seemed set to leave the club as a talent unfulfilled. Now the Welsh wing wizard is a crucial member of the Spurs line-up.

It is no exaggeration to describe Bale as a genuine winger, even when he plays at left-back. He marauds up and down the left flank in the finest tradition of wingbacks, utilising pace, strength and skill to create chances for the forwards.

He has replaced Aaron Lennon as the team's natural wide outlet and this is the reason why Bale has kept Spurs in the hunt for fourth place. Ask any Tottenham fan about the team's prospects without Lennon and the general consensus would not be a positive one, but Bale has energised the team and fans with his scintillating wing play.

Bale has not only stepped into Lennon's shoes as Spurs' best winger, but he has also become the new Ryan Giggs. Perhaps not in terms of skill, experience and goalscoring, but certainly as the Welsh left-footer that England fans most want to be English. As pointless ruminations go, Bale being a World Cup certainty if he was English is one of the most often repeated at the moment. There would certainly be more people willing to make England their Football World Cup tips if they had a few more left footers at their disposal.

Redknapp has taken a lot of credit for transforming Bale from a "boy who needs to learn the game" to a confident player comfortable in two different positions. The manager does deserve some praise for this, but one wonders whether Bale would have been given the chance of it wasn't for the prolonged injury absence of Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Assou-Ekotto was admittedly in good form when he got injured, but most White Hart Lane regulars recognised Bale's talent and the inevitability of its fruition. He is demanding inclusion at the moment, as no one expected the blow of losing Lennon for long periods to be coped with so well.

Meanwhile, in horse racing news, the winner of last year's Grand National Mon Mome is preparing to go for back-to-back victories in this year's event.

If he succeeds then he will no doubt rank alongside greatest horses in Grand National history.




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Will Stoke Bash Us Up?

Stoke City's Finest

Some onlookers may think we're playing Stoke on Trent RUFC, especially if Pulis sends his men out to bash us up a bit.  After all, they've got the personnel to do us in. I don't want to say that class is defined by the amount of wins your team can muster up at stadia like the Britannia, but I wouldn't be far off the mark if I did.

Having the highest decibel range in the Premier League must count for something. If there ever was a fortress, then the Britannia is it.

With Harry, or The Daily Mail, talking about us changing our style for next season, I wish we could have been in a position to try something different against Stoke, but alas, no such luck. We're not in a position to start testing out new formations or systems.  Time isn't the key factor in deciding if we change our style; having the right players in the squad is also key.

City did us a real favour last week. Let's not return it.  No matter what, I'm expecting to fully bite my nails clean off.

If we can hit them on the break, Bale could be vitally important tomorrow. I also suppose we'll get to see the real Pav. Let's see what a few knocks to the nether regions will do to him. I know a lot of fellow Spurs fans that say he'll bottle it. I'm not too sure. I think there's more than meets the eye with this Russian.

THBN Prediction: Stoke 0-1 Spurs


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David Beckham vs. Aaron Lennon

Groin for concern

I read Rob Smyth's article about putting things into perspective and to be honest with you, I couldn't agree more with Smythee.

Fair enough, the fact that Beck's will miss the World Cup and could never play again, is of course, terrible. But for the life of me, I can't fathom why the English media haven't made more of Aaron Lennon's injury, which could, in effect, also rule him out of the final 23-man squad that Capello will pick?

Let's not beat around the bush on this one, Lennon has made the right wing his. He is a better winger than both Shaun Wright-Phillips and Theo Walcott. I'm not saying that based on my Spurs bias. The facts speak for themselves. He not only has the pace, but has an awareness about him, not to mention that his crossing has improved massively.

Harry Redknapp on the weekend, said that he doesn't even know when Lennon will be back. Surely that should be setting the alarm bells off in Fabio Capello's head? If Beck's was going to go to the World Cup, I very much doubt he would have had a large influence on the pitch. Rather, he would have been utilised as an inspiration for the rest of the players. No matter what you think of the lad, David has the respect of most of the England players, if not all of them.

If reports are right about him mulling over whether or not he should fly out with the team, even though he won't be playing, then I think he'd better realise and realise fast, that being an England mascot was his original role.

Anyway, I wish a speedy recovery to David Beckham and to Aaron Lennon.

COYS!!!





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Stop kicking up such a fuss

So Sgt. Wilson would like to play for Real Madrid some day; so would I. Wouldn't you? Who wouldn't want to play for one of the world's biggest football clubs?

Fair enough, it would have probably been a bit better for him to have kept his mouth closed, after all "Tottenham Hotspur pay his wages". Bla bla bla...

The guy grew up in Honduras. His mother tongue is Spanish. Hondurans follow La Liga like nobody’s business. Of course he's going to say that he would like to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona, etc.

At least his boyhood heroes don't consist of Liverpool and Celtic....



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Bale on the left wing

Bale on the left wing?

It seems as though everyone is up in arms at the minute about the players that will kick-off the F.A. Cup Quarter Final against Fulham.

I think the solution's a pretty straightforward one; stick Benoît Assou-Ekotto into the left back position, continue with Niko Kranjčar on the right, stick The Modfather™ in the middle of the park to play alongside Sgt. Wilson and push Bale further up the flank, onto the left wing.

Here's hoping that Bale's knee is in tip-top condition come Saturday at 5.20pm. It didn't look pretty with that icepack on it after he was taken off during Wales International match.

So then, do you think we'll win the game and grace the Wembley Marshes? I think this one will go to a replay. Wish it doesn't though, our squad is as bare as it can get.

Prediction: Fulham 0-0 Spurs




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