Nigel's Webspace - English Football Cards, Player Pages - Pat Jennings
Nigel's Webspace - Galleries of English Football Cards 1965/66 - 1979/80
A tribute to great players from the period 1965/66 to 1979/80, particularly highlighting their appearance in football cards. For more see the Player Pages Index.
Pat Jennings
A list of all of the appearances of this player in football cards in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80 appears at the foot of this page.
1968/69 FKS Publishers
Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 277
1969/70 A&BC Gum
Footballers (Green backs), No. 64
Footballers (Orange backs), No. 99
Argentina 78, No. 287
Soccer 82. No. 3
Patrick Anthony (Pat) Jennings was born in Newry, Northern Ireland in 1945. He began his goalkeeping career as a 16-year old with Newry Town, before being signed up by Watford in the English 3rd Division in 1963 for £6,000. He was an instant success, playing 48 consecutive League games for Watford before being signed by First Division Tottenham for £27,000 in June 1964.
The 1968/69 FKS album notes: "Had a fast rise to fame after joining Watford from Newry Town in his native Ireland. Linked up with Spurs in a £30,000 fee. Possesses large hands which make him a most reliable goalkeeper. Seventeen full caps".
Jennings was featured in the 27 September 1969 edition of Shoot magazine. His answers to questions included:
Which opponent do you regard as the hottest shot in football? George Best. While other players do the predictable he does the unexpected. Anticipation plays a big part in goalkeeping but it's difficult to know what is going to happen when Best has the ball.
Which fellow 'keeper do you admire, and why? Gordon Banks. He is so consistent and brilliant. His handling is perfect and that's so important to a goalkeeper.
Jennings had made his full international debut for Northern Ireland as an 18 year old on April 15 1964, while still playing for Watford. George Best made his full international debut in the same match. Over the next 22 years Jennings would make a total of 119 appearances for his country out of 150 matches the team played.
The Top Sellers Football 72 card notes "Regular choice as goalkeeper for Northern Ireland, Jennings gained the first of over 30 caps in 1963. He joined Spurs from Watford in June 1964, and won an F.A. Cup medal in 1967. Born in Newry, Co. Down, he has large safe hands and is fearless".
His consistency in goal over this period can be seen from his League appearances:
Season Appearances Team finishing position
1970/71 40 Tottenham, 3rd
1971/72 41 Tottenham, 6th
1973/74 36 Tottenham, 11th
1976/77 23 Tottenham, 22nd
1977/78 42 Arsenal, 5th
1980/81 31 Arsenal, 3rd
1982/83 19 Arsenal, 10th
The Top Sellers Football 77 album notes: "Has now beaten the record number of appearances for Spurs, previously held by Ted Ditchburn".
In 1977 Tottenham sold Jennings to Arsenal for only £45,000. The feeling was perhaps that Jennings, at 32, was past his prime and Tottenham were committed to the future of Barry Daines. The fact that Tottenham had just been relegated may also have helped. However, he went on to prove Tottenham management wrong by making 237 League appearances for the Gunners in an 8 year stay.
Jennings achieved one of his career goals when Northern Ireland qualified for the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain. Jennings is credited with a superb performance against the hosts, giving Northern Ireland a 1-0 victory, and resulting in the team qualifying top of their group.
By 1985 Jennings had left Arsenal and returned to Spurs as reserve-team keeper. He kept himself fit and was still the first choice for Northern Ireland. He travelled to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and made his last international appearance against Brazil on his 41st birthday.
After his playing days were over Jennings remained at Tottenham as goalkeeping coach for many years. He was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 1976, and later an OBE.
Footballers (Yellow backs), No. 21
1972/73 Top Sellers
Football 2, No. 297
Euro Soccer Stars, No. 72
1979/80 Bassett's
Football 1979/80, No. 5
Football cards issued in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80
(note: this is an incomplete list, and will updated as new information is obtained).
Season Maker Set Team Card ref.
1965/66 Barratt & Co Famous Footballers A13 Tottenham Hotspur 38
1966/67 A&BC Gum Footballers, Series 2 (111-220) Tottenham Hotspur 142
1967/68 FKS Publishers The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars Tottenham Hotspur 277 of 330
1967/68 IPC Magazines / Fleetway Lion & Champion Album of Soccer Stars Tottenham Hotspur 79 of 110
1968/69 A&BC Gum Footballers, Yellow backs, Series 1 (001-054) Tottenham Hotspur 21 of 54
1968/69 Longacre Press Charles Buchan World Stars Northern Ireland 13
1969/70 A&BC Gum Football Facts, Green backs, Series 1 (001-064) Tottenham Hotspur 64 of 64
1969/70 Typhoo Tea International Football Stars, 2nd series Tottenham Hotspur 13 of 24
1969/70 Typhoo Tea International Football Stars, Premium Issue Tottenham Hotspur
1970/71 A&BC Gum Footballers, Orange backs, Series 2 (085-169) Tottenham Hotspur 99 of 85
1970/71 Thomson, D.C. Stand-up football (Hotspur) Tottenham Hotspur
1970/71 Thomson, D.C. World Cup Stars (Hotspur and Hornet) Tottenham Hotspur 27 of 72
1971/72 A&BC Gum Footballers, Purple backs, Series 2 (110-219) Tottenham Hotspur 157 of 110
1971/72 Cleveland Petrol Joe Mercer's Great Britain Soccer Squad Tottenham Hotspur
1971/72 IPC Magazines / Fleetway My Favourite Soccer Stars (Red backs), Lion/Thunder Tottenham Hotspur 12 of 32
1971/72 Marshall Cavendish Book of Football Top Teams Northern Ireland 323 of 364
1971/72 Marshall Cavendish Book of Football Top Teams Tottenham Hotspur 253 of 364
1972/73 Americana Soccer parade Tottenham Hotspur 269
1972/73 FKS Publishers Soccer Stars, Circular stickers Northern Ireland H
1972/73 The Sun Gallery of Football Stars, 3D Tottenham Hotspur
1972/73 Top Sellers Football 72 Tottenham Hotspur 297
1973/74 A&BC Gum Footballers, Blue backs, Series 1 (001-131) Tottenham Hotspur 19 of 131
1973/74 Barratt & Co Football Stars Tottenham Hotspur 50
1973/74 Esso Footballers - Top Team Coin Collection Tottenham Hotspur
1973/74 Esso Footballers - Top Team Packets Tottenham Hotspur
1974/75 A&BC Gum Footballers, Red backs Tottenham Hotspur 109
1975/76 IPC Magazines / Fleetway Soccer Super Stars of Britain Tottenham Hotspur 55 of 64
1977/78 FKS Publishers Soccer Stars Tottenham Hotspur 341
1977/78 FKS Publishers Euro Soccer Stars '77 Tottenham Hotspur 72
1977/78 Panini Football 78 Arsenal 8 of 525
1978/79 Americana Football Special 79 Arsenal 3
1978/79 FKS Publishers Argentina 78 Northern Ireland 287
1978/79 FKS Publishers Soccer Stars 78/79 - Golden Collection Arsenal 3
1978/79 Panini Football 79 Arsenal 10 of 594
1978/79 The Sun Soccercards Northern Ireland 92 of
1979/80 Bassett & Co Football Arsenal 5 of 50
1979/80 FKS Publishers Soccer Stars 80 Arsenal 3 of
1979/80 Sigma Sport Silhouettes Action Portraits of Famous Footballers Arsenal 35 of 60
1979/80 Topps Chewing Gum Footballers - Pale blue back Arsenal 35
1979/80 Transimage Football 79/80 Arsenal 2
1980/81 FKS Publishers Soccer 81 Arsenal 4 of 450