Hearts' centenary gift to Spurs that went to seed as a flowerpot

The item, described as being a "large and impressive silver plated punchbowl", is estimated to have a value between 250-350 by the auction house, Knights of Norfolk. The punchbowl, which is nine inches tall and has a diameter of 14.5 inches, has a floral decoration on its side and rim and on the central cartouche is engraved: "Presented by Heart of Midlothian F.C. in their Centenary Year to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 3rd August 1974".

However, possibly as a result of it being condemned to spend its later life as a gardening accessory, the punchbowl is further described as having "some bumping/scratching to sides, rust spots and discoloration to inside".

The gift was handed to the London club after a 1-1 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle Park 36 years ago, when over 13,000 fans watched Donald Ford put the home side in front with a penalty that was later cancelled out by a late equaliser from Spurs substitute John Pratt.

The bowl has since been allowed to leave the London club's possession and will go under the hammer tomorrow. Spurs had been surprised to hear of the item's presence at an auction of football and cricket memorabilia. "We had already made contact with the auctioneer and are awaiting further information from them," said a club spokesman yesterday, after being contacted by The Scotsman.

Auctioneer Tim Knight was able to inform the club of the punchbowl's providence. "It was left to the vendor, who is quite young, by his great uncle in a will," he said. "He died about ten years ago. Prior to that his great uncle had been using it as a flowerpot. He had put soil in it and filled it with flowers. That's why it is slightly discoloured inside.

"How it had got to his late great uncle in the first place I really don't know. It's all a bit of a mystery.

Knight continued: "It will make more than the stated price. It is a unique item. I wouldn't be surprised if it went for 500 plus. It's a bit dented from when it was not looked after. But it is an original. If Spurs were interested in buying it back, then great."

It was customary when non-Scottish teams visited Tynecastle Park for their players to each be handed small gifts, ranging from tartan travel rugs to whisky decanters. But. having seen a Scotsman photograph of the bowl being presented by Tynecastle vice-chairman Bobby Parker after the match, Hearts club historian David Speed concluded that this was clearly designed to be awarded to the London side as a token of appreciation and irrespective of the outcome of the match.

"I don't know how it got into private hands," said Speed. "But that is definitely the Hearts boardroom in the photograph. I can recognise it by the pictures on the wall in the background.

"There are a lot of references to gifts coming in the way during the centenary year, but none for those going out.

"It was the practice at the time to give visiting players a memento. It does seem surprising that this is the actual memento given to the club which has now ended up an auction. It might have been treated as not one of their major pieces of memorabilia and has since been given out again, perhaps to a long-standing member of staff. But I am sure the club's directors would like to know how it came to be at an auction."

The game with Spurs, who also visited Tynecastle in 1969 and 1971, was the highlight of Hearts' centenary year, which was also marked by the raising of a centenary flag prior to a home match with Motherwell. Spurs had reached the final of the Uefa Cup the previous season, which they lost to Feyenoord 4-2 on aggregate. Donald Ford recalls despatching his penalty past the Spurs goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

"He was considered one of the best ‘keepers in Britain at the time, if not the best," he said yesterday. "I remember having to think carefully about where to strike the ball.

"I also remember thinking that Spurs were an odd choice to be asked to come and celebrate Hearts' centenary. The club had established strong ties with Newcastle in the Sixties. There was a rapport there.

"Apart from Dave Mackay of course, I was not aware of any other real connections [with Spurs]."

But the real mystery, one both clubs would like to solve, is how on earth did a gift to Spurs from Hearts end up being used as a flowerpot?

lThe teams for Hearts' centenary match, played on Saturday, 3 August 1974, were:

Hearts: Kenny Garland, Ian Sneddon, Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Cant, John Gallacher, Jim Brown, Kenny Aird, Donald Ford, Drew Busby, John Stevenson, Bobby Prentice. Substitutes: Alan Anderson, Tommy Murray, Willie Gibson, Donald Park, Jim Cruickshank.

Tottenham: Pat Jennings, Ray Evans, Cyril Knowles, Phil Beal, Mike England, Alfie Conn, Jimmy Pearce, Steve Perryman, Martin Chivers, Martin Peters, Ralph Coates.

Attendance: 13,326