John Pratt (footballer)

John Pratt (born 26 June 1948) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent much of his career at Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur career
Pratt was born in Hackney, London. He signed for the club as a junior in November, 1965. He made his debut in April 1969 against Arsenal. Making 415 appearances and scoring 49 goals in all competitions in 11 seasons at the club. He always gave 100% in his midfield duties but was often made the scapegoat when Spurs performed poorly, and never quite winning over certain sections of the White Hart Lane crowd. In his career at Spurs he played in every outfield position. He played as a substitute in the first leg as Tottenham won the 1972 UEFA Cup Final, and also started the 1973 League Cup Final. However, in the latter game he got injured and was substituted off for Ralph Coates who went on to score the winning goal.

Bill Nicholson quote
I had been getting it in the neck a bit from some of the sections of the crowd at Spurs but Bill expected his players to be men, and he said that the crowd paid our wages and were entitled to have their opinions. So one day, before I was due to play my first game at Old Trafford, I asked him what I could expect. He replied that it would just be like playing at Spurs, except that up there 55,000 people would hate me, whereas at Spurs it was only 45,000!

Later career
He joined Portland Timbers in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1980 and stayed for three seasons in the USA.

After returning to Spurs he went on to coach the youth and junior sides before being promoted assistant manager to Peter Shreeves till 1986.

Today
He runs a window cleaning company and has gone into partnership with ex–Spur Mark Falco in an asbestos clearing concern. Pratt was a regular for the clubs Old Boys XI. Since a knee and ankle injury his duties at the club are restricted to working in hospitality and as an unofficial team coach.

Honours
Tottenham Hotspur
 * UEFA Cup: 1972; runner-up 1974
 * Football League Cup: 1973