UP218: Steve Perryman MBE

Steve Perryman MBE is a legend of Tottenham Hotspur FC, whose 17 years at the club began as a teenager in the late 1960s before becoming one of the clubs longest serving and most decorated captains, winning The FA Cup twice in the early 80s. 

But that’s just a part of this conversation, which takes us inside the business of football at the sharp end. 

Perryman’s love affair with Spurs ended unhappily in 1994 when he was part of the management team of his friend and fellow Spurs star, the Argentina World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles, who were sacked by then owner Alan Sugar.

Perryman recalls his journey from player to management, for Watford, Brentford and to great success in Japan’s J-League, again with Ardiles. 

For the last two decades, Perryman has been an unpaid director of football of Exeter City in the lower reaches of England’s professional league pyramid. 

This gives him a perspective on the current debate about the fundamental importance of lower division football, both to the communities they serve and as the training ground for the superstars of tomorrow. 

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