Happy birthday to our wonderfully gifted former midfielder, Micky Hazard. Always loved by the Spurs fans, for his flair, silky skills, important goals and assists plus his enthusiasm for the club, which remains to this day for anyone who follows his Twitter (@1MickyHazard).
Micky has been associated with the club since the age of 14. Born in Sunderland, he was a talented youngster representing Sunderland and Durham Schools, when Micky was spotted by a Tottenham scout in the North-East at 14, Hazard was invited to train with the club and did so on a weekly basis until at 16 he moved to London to join Spurs as an apprentice.
A selection of some of Micky’s Spurs goals
His dribbling ability made him a tough opponent to stop and his passing accuracy provided the forwards in front of him with many chances. He was given his first team debut as a 20 year old (3-0 win vs Everton in April 1980) and he became a useful player who made openings for goals to be scored from his midfield position.
He surely would have made many, many more appearances for the club than the 170 he clocked up, had it not been for the plethora of midfield talent at the club during the early 1980’s. However, whenever Micky took his place in the team, he never disappointed.
An integral part of the 1981/82 season, saw Micky grabbed his chance in the first team in Oct following an injury to Ricky Villa. Micky’s performance and important goals saw him cement his place in the first team – he played in the cup runs in the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup, scoring the winning goals in both the League Cup 4th Round (vs Fulham) and League Semi Final against WBA along the way. Micky played in the 1982 League Cup Final where we came within a couple of minutes of winning the cup. Micky scored a lovely goal from edge of the box in the exciting FA Cup Quarter Final win over Chelsea and would play in both FA Cup Final and FA Cup Final Replay.
Further success would come Micky’s way in 1984, winning the 1984 UEFA Cup. His contribution in winning the cup is not to be understated, scoring the decisive goal in the 1984 UEFA Cup Semi Final, with superb free kick at The Lane in the second leg against Hajduk Split and providing the crosses for the Spurs goals in both legs of the final vs Anderlecht.
Micky’s wasn’t getting enough first team action that his talents deserved and moved on in 1985 – however, in 1993 Ossie Ardiles, by now Spurs manager, brought Micky back to the club for a final swansong before his retirement.
Micky finished with 170 appearances for the club, 25 goals and winners medals from the 1982 FA Cup Final and 1984 UEFA Cup Final
