Memories of Jose Dominguez

While we’ve looked at classic encounters from the past between Tottenham and some of our recent opponents, the forthcoming fixture between Spurs and Birmingham doesn’t really conjure up too many memories of any kind.

While Tottenham did travel to St Andrews on the way to the 1967 FA Cup final, recent memory could only recall a freezing night in the mid-1980’s where Spurs defeated a Birmingham side by two goals to nil.  David Seaman played in goal and the crowd at White Hart Lane was reportedly the lowest in many years.

The upcoming game however does bring back happy recollections of a favourite player from the recent past. To many, Jose Dominguez was the ultimate luxury player, particularly when David Ginola was filling the left wing position admirably.

A few eyebrows were raised when the Portuguese international signed in 1997 from Sporting Lisbon having previously spent a season at Birmingham. He was small – in fact some reports claim he is the smallest Premiership player ever – but he was very, very skilful.

He was a luxury however and will be remembered mainly for his great somersault as part of his goal celebration which sadly wasn’t seen often enough. Needless to say George Graham didn’t fancy him and in 2000 he was on his way to Kaiserslautern.

Once again, memory is hazy but I seem to recall a North London derby where it was suggested by the press that Graham brought the player on to annoy Arsenal with a few tricks and induce some fouls. It worked so well that Martin Keown was sent off.

Dominguez then went on to play in Qatar and Brazil before retiring in 2005 and leaving some mixed memories behind wherever he played.