JIMMY Greaves was my boyhood hero. He loved scoring goals and was the master poacher inside the 18 yard box. His anticipation of where the ball would be delivered plus his positional play were uncanny.

Instinct I suppose. He was born with it, and didn't he make the most of his gift?

Reading his autobiography, there was obviously a special relationship whenever Spurs met the Burnley team of the 60's. He reckoned that both teams had players who could influence the game. The Clarets had the two Jimmy's - McIlroy and Adamson - and Spurs, Danny Blanchflower and John White. Johnny Haynes at Fulham and Bobby Charlton at Man Utd were others around at the time, performing similar deeds for their clubs.

These types of players were like gold dust; players who would take responsibility on the field. They would point the finger, bark out the instructions, give rollickings and make changes. Or change the course of game with a special piece of skill. Leaders. How many are about these days?

The FA Cup games over the weekend brought back memories of the 1961-62 final between Spurs and Burnley. Greavsie felt they were two evenly matched sides with similar talents in every department of the field.

He scored within three minutes but when Jimmy Robson equalised soon after the interval, hopes were high that the Clarets would return with the cup. Almost immediately, though, Bobby Smith had restored the lead and a penalty, 10 minutes from time, wrapped it up.

Jimmy signed for Spurs in 1961 after an unhappy spell at AC Milan where the man management skills of manager, Nero Rocco, never appealed to the prolific scorer paving the way for an early exit from the Italian giants.

Returning to Spurs after such a disaster was a breath of fresh air for Greavsie, as a coaching revolution was sweeping through the English game, instigated by the likes of Bill Nicholson, his new boss at White Hart Lane.

Nicholson was certainly more open minded to the changes than Jim's ex boss at Chelsea, Ted Drake, whose conversation with the players was limited, to say the least. "All the best" would be the full extent of his team talk.

Billy Nick did his home work and recognised the importance of assessing opposing sides, so that his players could be fully briefed on their strengths and weaknesses.

Skipper, Danny Blanchflower, was never afraid to voice his opinions."Winning isn't everything but wanting to win is".

Asked about our own Bob Lord, he replied "He's a self made man who worships his creator". OK - not best of mates then?

But good advice was always welcomed. Sir Matt Busby reckoned that a man in his 20's had enthusiasm, in his 30's wit, and at 40 the wisdom.

Billy Nick said to his players "Go out and enjoy yourselves. Go out and entertain. Go out and win"

And one of Jimmy Adamson's favourite lines was "Play with a chuckle in your boots and a smile on your face."

Great sayings from former giants of the game.