When Diego Maradona Played For Spurs At White Hart Lane Wearing Borrowed Boots

Diego Maradona once played for Spurs in front of 30,000 fans at White Hart Lane -- and had to borrow Clive Allen's six-and-a-half size boots for the occasion.

The diminutive Argentinian, who sadly passed away on Wednesday afternoon after a cardiac arrest, aged 60, wore the famous white for Ossie Ardiles' testimonial in 1986.

Maradona, a great friend of the former Tottenham midfielder, played alongside the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle that night, but it was the World Cup winner that blew everyone away.

And he did so wearing a pair of Clive Allen's borrowed boots on his feet.

Allen recalled the occasion in an interview with talkSPORT.

"Ossie says: 'Who takes [size] six and a half?'" he said.

"I tell him I do and that I had two pairs of boots; one old pair I'd worn all season and a new pair I was breaking in, so I said: 'Diego, be my guest and take whatever pair you want!'

"I've never played in a game where I felt like a spectator because, on the night, Diego and Glenn were just on another planet. They were telepathic, and you just wanted them to have the ball. Some of the flicks and skills were incredible."

Glenn Hoddle was another player blown away by Maradona's presence on Ardiles' special day.

"The sheer magnetism of Maradona lifted the whole atmosphere." Hoddle told Spurs' official website.

"A staggering 30,000-plus crowd turned up for the match, and the kick-off had to be delayed for 15 minutes to allow all the thousands of fans in.

"Maradona and Ossie entered the stadium after the two teams to thunderous applause. It was clear the public were enthralled to have the chance to see a player of Maradona's special skills, and he didn't disappoint them.

"Of course he did not extend himself to the full, but I am a player whose philosophy is built around skilful football and I could not but admire this stocky little genius."

Chris Waddle, another former Spurs player to star in the testimonial, said he "had never seen a better footballer" than Maradona.

"I've never seen a better footballer. Never. He was by far the best player I've ever played with.

"In the game he did a couple of nice runs and a bicycle kick; he was quite quiet, but when you had the ball you knew you could give it to him and there wouldn't be any problems. His touch was amazing and he was so strong.

"His change of pace and change of direction were incredible."

Ossie Ardiles paid tribute to his great friend Maradona on Twitter shortly after his passing.

"Dieguito. Inside the football pitch, he was always so so happy." Ardiles wrote.

"Playing, he was out of this world. Outside the pitch, he was magical as well. So so funny. Being with him you know that special things would happen. I will miss you my friend."

Rest in peace, Diego.

Topics: Spurs, SPORT, Football News, Football, Diego Maradona, tottenham

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_