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The OSVALDO ARDILES Thread

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
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Feb 1, 2005
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Osvaldo Cesar Ardiles
- Born 03/08/52, Cordoba, Argentina

Debut 19th August 1978 (A) Nottingham Forest 1-1

Osvaldo or 'Ossie' Ardiles is best known as a player for his time at Spurs. The skilful Argentine midfielder had given audiences a show-reel of his talent in the 1978 World Cup, which his country had won on home soil.

He went on to gain domestic and European honours at White Hart Lane and finished his career after representing his country 43 times.

Having arrived in 1978 with compatriot Ricky Villa, Ardiles added the panache that could elevate Tottenham onto the next level of footballing excellence. As an attacking midfielder, partnered with Glenn Hoddle, he provided a vital link between defence and attack. [ar] [/ar]

Having promised to 'win the cup for Tottingham', (click to see video) as Ardiles pronounced on a classic pre-Wembley record, he helped the north Londoners to two back-to-back FA Cups in 1981 and 1982 - although he was prevented from playing in the latter final due to the war in the Falklands Islands.

That conflict cast a shadow over the end of his career with Spurs and he left to join Paris St Germain for a season, citing "immense pressure from the British and Argentinean media" as his reason for leaving England.

On his return, however, he was soon back among the trophies as he came on as a substitute to help Spurs beat Anderlecht on penalties in the 1984 UEFA Cup final. [al] [/al]

However, there was to be no more silverware for Tottenham before Ardiles left to join Blackburn on loan in 1988. He wound down his playing career with a further spell at QPR.

However, the Argentinean soon turned his hand at management and he guided Swindon Town through the old Second Division and into the top flight for the first time in their history. But financial irregularities cost them their hard-earned promotion.

They were initially relegated to the Third Division as punishment, although this was later transmuted to being forced to spend another season in Division Two on appeal.

Ardiles moved to Newcastle and then West Brom, but in 1993 White Hart Lane beckoned again and Ardiles took the managerial reins. After a forgettable first season, Ardiles brought a captivating brand of gung-ho football to the Lane.

He dazzled opponents and crowds alike with his 'Famous Five' - an attack comprising Teddy Sherringham, Jurgen Klinsman, Ilie Dumitrescu, Nick Barmby and Darren Anderton.

Spurs' attacking football was a joy to behold, but their defence was not and Ardiles was replaced in 1994. Even so, Ardiles' contribution has been honoured by an induction into Tottenham's 'Hall of Fame'.

Appearances/goals: 238/16 (LG), 32/4 (FAC), 32/3(LG CUP), 9/2 (EUR)
 

Edgarsglasses

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2005
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What a player this guy was & a masterstroke by Burkinshaw to get him & his big mate here.Ossie as a player was the perfect foil for Hoddle,memories for me include his run dribble & shot to set up Crooks in 81 cup final,his shot against the bar v Anderlecht 84,him coming on at Old Trafford to chorus of boos after the falklands war & with his first touch setting up a goal.Not too many goals to remember from the little man but one that sticks out was a volley v West Ham at Upton Park.Admire what he tried to do as a manager for us & personally thought we treated him harsh to quick.Ossie you are a true legend of this club mate & thanks for signing my ball outside Anfield!
 

Chuba

SC founder member gone bad, i love u all
Sep 21, 2003
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Excellent player, i had alot of chances to see him play and it was an absolute wonder seeing both him and Glenda on the same pitch and in the same shirt.
I went to his testimonial where he invited Maradona to play for us, and was very sad to see him go but as all good things come to an end i feel that Ossie has never taken away his heart from WHL and will always be in ours.
 

leonspurs

Well-Known Member
Jun 8, 2006
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One of my all time Spurs favs, a true legend for us. Loved his style, he graced our shirt.
 

speccy_spur

Active Member
Aug 2, 2005
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I have childhood memories of Spurs dominating a game and the other players going out of their way to try and set Ossie up for a goal...can't remember who against..

Also, I seem to remember Maradona saying that he idolised Ossie as a kid. He was his favourite player and hero from the 78 world cup win.

Brilliant play-maker and hard worker who allowed Hoddle the freedom to do his thing.:bowdown:
 

PT

North Stand behind Pat's goal.
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May 21, 2004
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The season he joined us was the one where we had returned to div 1 after a season in the 2nd. We got promoted on the last day with a draw against Southampton and the twin signing coup is now history. However, his baptism was at Anfield not long in to the new season when we went there and got tonked 7-0.

I wonder if Burky asked himself if he had done the right thing at that moment in time??
 

DC_Boy

New Member
May 20, 2005
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I was at the Lane for Ossie's home debut - the ticker tape game where we lost 1-4 to villa

I was also there for I think his last game before forced out in 82 - the semi v Leicester at Villa park - much nicer ending we won 2-0 and ossie set up one of the goals - my fave goal of his was the one where we beat utd at OT 1-0 when Hod had to go in goal - some game
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
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I may as well wheel out my own Ossie anecdote.

Have some rep, lovely story there, I remember Ossie sitting in a Rover (the big horses arse one) in the traffic outside my house in Cheshunt one Sunday morning he was staring at me like people do when they are bored, I looked him but didn't register the face straight away and just thought who the 'eck are you gawking at ?
 

mawspurs

Staff
Jun 29, 2003
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I was lucky enough to see Ossie play on many occasions, as Leonspurs said he graced the lily white shirt.

It's a shame the way the Falklands soured his time with us. But he'll always have a special place in the heart of any fan who saw him play.
 

stevenqoz

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
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Great player and I can still see him on the left side of the Man U box at Old Trafford dropping his shoulder before guiding the box into the right hand corner of the goal for the winner in that 1-0 game.
A funny but true story about when Ossie arrived at WHL. There was a massive media scrum which made access to the pair difficult. A mate of mine sent in a fax to the Spurs office in Spainish, asking Ossie if he would give an interview. Predictably, having refused all enquiries in English to that point, the Spurs office did not know Spainish and just passed on the fax to him because it had Ossies name on it:) He agreed to the interview no problem.
 

llamafarmer

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May 4, 2004
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Legend.

I'm too young to remember his playing days, so my abiding memory is his little overhead flick thing from Escape to Victory! And the famous five of course!
 

rooster1

Namahage
Oct 9, 2006
883
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Ossie is one of the all time greats that i've had
the priviledge to see play in our colours.
He may have been small, but he was a giant
in footballing terms. What would he be worth today?
He played in the day of tough tacklers. Todays tackle is a
sending off. Back then it was murder compared to now.
With todays rules we would of won the league with
someone like Ossie in the midfield, believe me.
A superb player.
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
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There is a pic of Ossie & Ricky in todays local paper (Hertfordshire Mercury)

The pair of them wearing kinda cowboy hats and in the crowd of 111 watching Ossies son Pablo playing for Hertford Town last week.

Wish I'd have known I would have went down there as well - It is two minutes away from here.
 
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