Tottenham and England Legend Martin Chivers Passes Away at 80
Football World Mourns Loss of Tottenham Icon
The football community is mourning the death of Martin Chivers, one of Tottenham Hotspur’s greatest strikers, who died on Wednesday (7 January) at the age of 80. His passing marks the end of an era for Spurs supporters who witnessed his extraordinary goalscoring prowess during the club’s glory years in the early 1970s.
Chivers’ importance to English football cannot be overstated. Chivers scored 174 goals in 367 appearances for Spurs, as well as netting 13 goals for England. His remarkable record places him fourth on Tottenham’s all-time scoring list with 174 goals in 367 appearances, behind only Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith.
A Record-Breaking Career at Tottenham
In 1968 he was bought by Tottenham Hotspur for a club and league record sum of £125,000 after beginning his career at his hometown club Southampton, where he helped the Saints win promotion to the top flight. Despite suffering a serious knee injury early in his Spurs career, Chivers recovered to become one of the most feared strikers in English football.
His golden period came in the early 1970s when he won the Football League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup in the 1971–72 season. He scored both goals in the 1971 League Cup win over Aston Villa at Wembley, and his two brilliant strikes gave Spurs a 2-1 win in the first leg of the 1972 UEFA Cup Final against Wolves, helping them become the first team to win the trophy in its inaugural year.
International Career and Playing Style
Over three years, Martin took his tally to 13 goals in 24 games for England, representing his country with distinction during the early 1970s. At his best, he had an incredible turn of speed, awesome strength in the air, fantastic balance and ball control with surprising subtlety, yet with the ability to score the most spectacular goals.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
After leaving Tottenham in 1976, he spent two years at Servette, netting 38 goals and gaining a Swiss Cup winners’ medal in 1978, before returning to England for spells at Norwich City and Brighton & Hove Albion. Even in retirement, Chivers maintained his connection with Tottenham, becoming the club’s first Hospitality Spurs Legend in 1988 and continuing to work as a host on matchdays at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium right up to the present day.
Tottenham players wore black armbands in his honour during their match against Bournemouth following the announcement of his death. Martin leaves behind his wife Julia, their sons Nick and Luke, and Martin’s daughters Andrea and Melanie, along with his beloved grandchildren. His legacy as one of English football’s finest strikers and a true Tottenham great will endure for generations to come.