MARCHING ORDERS

Frank Saul, now 77 years old, was the first Spurs' footballer to be sent off on December 4th 1965 in a League match, since Cecil Poynton, who was given his marching orders on October 27th 1928 playing against Stoke City whilst losing 0-2. Poynton was a player (1923-32) and coach/physio at Spurs until 1972. He played 152 times and scored 3 goals. Cecil (in blue and left) is with Bill Nicholson and the 1960s Spurs.

Saul (below) was playing Burnley in a League game at White Hart Lane. Frank Lander Saul was born in August 1943 and his career included Canvey Island before Spurs in 1960. Saul was one of only 17 players used by Spurs in their Double winning season 1960-1, the first Double in the 20th Century. Saul, played 116 games at Spurs scoring 37 goals, including one in the FA Cup Final in 1967 v Chelsea. He then, was swapped with Martin Chivers from Southampton in 1968, Saul playing 50 games for the Saints and scoring twice. In 1970 he moved to QPR (43 apps/2 goals), in 1972 to Millwall (96/4) and then he became a builder in Essex with a hint of Dagenham in his playing history. (Frank is below left)

 Alan Mullery MBE, another Spurs player at the time (from 1960-8), famously, became the first England "full" international footballer to be sent off, when he was dismissed for a dodgey tackle in the 1968 European Championships against Yugoslavia. I remember watching it live! Disappointing.  He earned 35 caps, scored once and went on to manage from 1976, Brighton and Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, QPR, BHA again, the Armed Forces squad in Malaysia and Barnet FC!

Following football, Mullery suffered serious depression and a collapsed business venture, which was helped when he turned to Christianity and worked in media. He did a "religious" evening at Charterhouse....don't know how much he charged to inspire the students?

Let's not forget another Spurs' man, Jimmy Greaves, who was famously sent off when playing in a European Cup Winners Cup semi-final 1st leg v OFK Belgrade, away, in April 1963. Spurs won 1-2 and Greaves walked after 54 minutes. In the return Spurs won at home 3-1. (Greaves not available). Alan with Trophy.