While with Spurs, Mike won the FA Cup in 1967, the UEFA Cup in ‘72 (runner-up in 1974), and the League Cup in 1971 and 1973. The motivational speaker’s footballing career began when at 15 years old he joined the squad at Blackburn Rovers, where he went on to make 165 appearances. Five years later he made the move to Spurs where he remained for nine years before joining Cardiff City (helping them to promotion to the Second Division) and then American soccer teams Seattle Sounders and Cleveland Force.
As well as being captain of the Seattle team, Mike played alongside such well-known names in Spurs history as Harry Redknapp, Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Robertson. He also ran an antique shop in the area and taught football at the local high school. Among Mike England’s other major achievements are managing the Wales team from 1979 to 1987 and receiving the MBE in 1984 for his services to Welsh football. After sitting close to Scotland manager Jock Stein when he had a heart attack, Mike decided to retire from football, initially managing a nursing home in Wales then forging a reputation as an in-demand motivational speaker.
