Gary Mabbutt is eaten by a rat
An FA Cup final own goal made the Spurs centre- back a Sky Blues hero, but he later won the trophy – then a rat ate part of his foot
“COVENTRY FANS ASK TO KISS MY KNEE – I SAY, ‘ OF COURSE YOU CAN’. A LOT OF THEM HAVE DONE IT, TOO”
How did your 1982 move from Bristol Rovers to Spurs come about?
I was in the Third Division, I’d played about 140 matches, and I was out of contract. Back then, you could leave and a tribunal would decide the transfer fee. You could write to anyone and say, “I’m available, do you want me?” I wrote to every First Division club and got two replies. Aston Villa said, “Sorry, we can’t even offer you a trial” and the other was Birmingham. I met them, went home, and the next day my phone rang. It was Bill Nicholson saying, “I think you have the potential to play for Spurs.” He took me to their training ground to meet manager Keith Burkinshaw, who made it clear he didn’t know who the hell I was! But he also said the recommendation had come from Bill, and he was happy to take it.
How soon did you start playing regularly?
Keith had said, “You’re 20 – you’ll maybe break through in a couple of years.” But we went to Norway for pre- season, a couple of players got injured, and I ended up playing for the next 16 years! I was a midfielder then, and in my first season I joint- top scored with 12 goals. I even started upfront once – I scored twice in a 2- 1 win over Birmingham, and was never selected there again! I initially broke into the England team in midfield, then switched to centre- half.
How special was winning the UEFA Cup with Spurs in 1984?
We beat Anderlecht on penalties in the second leg of the final, and the atmosphere at White Hart Lane was incredible. Afterwards, we went to an old building with a balcony on the high street and paraded the cup. It was well past midnight, but about 100,000 Spurs fans were there. It was a very special night.
What did it feel like to score the own goal that won the FA Cup for Coventry in 1987?
I scored and we were 2- 1 up at half- time. But Keith Houchen equalised, then the ball broke down the right and I went to block the cross – 99 times out of 100, it’ll hit your leg and either go behind for a corner or roll to Ray Clemence. This time, it hit the top of my knee and looped over Ray. It’s the only FA Cup final that Spurs have ever lost and it was a horrendous feeling. But you’ve got to smile about it these days – I’m a legend in Coventry!
Is it true that when you bump into Coventry fans, they ask to kiss your knee?
Yes, they always do. I say, “Of course you can.” Quite a lot have done it. I can go anywhere in the world and a Coventry fan turns up! I was in Cape Town once, and someone walked over saying, “You gave me the best moment of my life.” I thought they meant the UEFA Cup, but it was the 1987 cup final! Coventry also called a fanzine ‘ GMK’ – ‘ Gary Mabbutt’s Knee’ – and we played them in the opening match of the following season. The whole of Highfield Road was singing “There’s only one Gary Mabbutt” – Spurs and Coventry fans!
You won the FA Cup in 1991 – it looked like you were about to volley home a corner for the winner, but Des Walker headed the ball into his own net. Would you have scored? I’d have hoped so, but probably not as well as he did! [ Laughs] I spoke to Des after the game, though. I’d been in his situation, and you can’t do much about it. This time I was the captain, walking up the Wembley steps to collect the trophy, then turning around and sharing that moment with the Spurs fans. It was magical.
How fired up was Gazza before that game?
Gazza was always fired up. I had no reason to believe he was any different to any other big match, but two reckless challenges early on and his game was finished. That was probably Gazza’s best season. In the games leading up to the final, he was outstanding, but the injury set him back. After the final, we went straight to the hospital with the FA Cup, knocked on the door and gave Gazza the cup and his medal.
Any hilarious tales with Gazza ( right)?
I’m a diabetic and need an injection before every meal, so I always got on the team bus early after a match and had my injections. I was on the coach with my needle and insulin out, then Gazza got on and asked, “Mabbsy, what are you doing?” I’d tried to tell him what being diabetic meant, but I think at that stage he thought diabetes was a famous boxer! On the bus I said, “I inject myself four times a day.” He said, “Every day? For the rest of your life, or while you’re a footballer?” I said, “For the rest of my life.” He said, “Every day for the rest of your life. I bet you can’t wait to die!”
How hard was it as a player with diabetes? Did it present challenges?
A few… four injections a day, plus blood tests before kick- off, at half- time and after matches. I was having 10 blood tests a day. When I was diagnosed at 17, three top specialists told me I couldn’t play football again because my body wouldn’t be able to take it, so it was nice to do the things I did in my career. I had a condition and needed to look after myself.
You required surgery to save your leg a few years ago – what happened?
I woke up one night and my left leg was killing me – there was no blood going to it. I needed a seven- hour operation and luckily they saved the leg, but I can’t kick a ball again or stand on wet pitches, so I had to give up coaching. Then a week after the last game at White Hart Lane, I was rushed in for a heart bypass.
We read the horrific story that a rat ate part of your foot in South Africa. Tell us about it...
My daughter got an internship with a vet in the Kruger National Park. I stayed with her and we lived 60 miles from the nearest town. I went to bed, and half an hour later she came in saying, “Dad, something bit my thumb!” After a while we went back to bed, but I woke up again and my thumb was bleeding. I went to get up, and the bed was covered in blood. Both of my feet are numb because of poor circulation and my diabetes, and a rat had started chewing on my foot, got no reaction from me and then tucked in – from the middle toe to the bone. There is also a hole underneath my foot. Quite a lot of things have happened in my life, but I’ve dealt with them and carried on as best I can.
You suffered a serious injury in your career, too, fracturing your skull in a challenge with John Fashanu. Did he apologise?
I don’t have any contact with John, no. It was something you should never see in a game of football and a disgrace – the most blatant elbow you’ve ever seen.
What does Spurs still mean to you?
They’ve been part of my family for 38 years. I was a player for 16 years, the captain for 11 and made 619 appearances, the second- most in club history. I’ve been an ambassador at Spurs for several years too, so they’ll always be a huge part of my life.