FA CUP SEMI-FINAL DATES ANNOUNCED

The Football Association has announced the dates and times for the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Villa will take on Chelsea on Saturday, April 10, kick-off 6pm.

Sem-final draw...
Aston Villa v Chelsea, Saturday April 10, 6pm
Fulham/SPURS v Portsmouth, Sunday April 11, 5pm

Our quarter-final replay against Fulham will take place on 24th March at 8.45pm

OSSIE BACK IN MALTA

Tottenham Hotspur Malta announce that World Cup winner, and Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur legend Osvaldo Ardiles will be in Malta on 12 February 2010.

This visit is being supported by MTA- Island of Gozo, Air Malta, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo Football Association, Sullivan Maritime, Marsovin, China Town (Mriehel, Cospicua), Waterline Restaurant (Marsascala) and Amabile Zammit.

Ossie, as he is affectionately known by Spurs fans worldwide, won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina and became a cult hero in England, along with Glenn Hoddle and compatriot Ricardo Villa with Tottenham Hotspur.

After the 1978 World Cup Ardiles joined Tottenham where he spent four seasons. He helped Spurs win the FA Cup in his third season (1980-81) and collaborated with pop duo Chas and Dave as well as the rest of the Tottenham players for a song - "Ossie's Dream" - in which he famously pronounced Tottenham as "Tottingham".

He played a big part in another FA Cup triumph the following year, but did not play in the final. He also helped Tottenham win the UEFA Cup in 1984, leaving shortly afterwards to sign for Paris Saint Germain in France

After just one season in Paris, he returned to Tottenham, where he stayed until 1988. In the autumn of 1987, he was caretaker manager of Tottenham between the resignation of David Pleat and the appointment of Terry Venables He then played for Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Swindon Town, before being appointed as manager of Swindon Town in July 1989.
He returned to Spurs as manager between 1993 and 1994 where he famously played several matches utilizing a formation that had five forwards, a formation that hadn't been used in English football since the 1950’s.

On 7 February 2008 Ossie Ardiles, along with his fellow countryman Ricky Villa, was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame

Tottenham Hotspur Malta will be organising a Question and Answer Session with the former Argentine international at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana on Friday 12th February from 7.30pm onwards.

After a short interview by sports journalist Mark Mizzi, Mr Ardiles will mingle with guests who will be able to get to know the man who, besides being a football legend, also starred in the epic movie "Escape to Victory" alongside other legends such as Pele and Bobby Moore. Guests will have time to take pictures with Mr Ardiles. Light finger food and wine will be served throughout the night.

Tickets for this unique chance to meet a true football legend are on sale from Tottenham Hotspur Malta, 22, St. Frederick Street, Valletta and Geraldu’s Kiosk Valletta at 10 Euros. One may also call on 79691882 for more information.

Tottenham Hotspur Malta intend to use this visit as a launch pad for bigger events involving other former players and present players. The Club wants to create a legacy between Mr Ardiles and the Maltese Islands as this does not only benefit football enthusiasts but also niche tourism.

In this regard the Club is already in talks with Mr Ardiles over a bigger event which will not be focused solely on Malta but also on the Island of Gozo

MTA, Island of Gozo - Air Malta - Grand Hotel Excelsior
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz - Gozo Football Association - Sullivan Maritime Marsovin - China Town (Mriehel, Cospicua)
Waterline Restaurant (Marsascala)

EIDUR JOINS ON LOAN

O'Hara and Dos Santos loaned out

We have completed the signing of former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen on a loan deal from Monaco for the end of the season.

The 31-year-old Icelander, who also attracted interest from London rivals West Ham, underwent a medical and agreed terms on the move on Thursday.
"He's a player I've always admired," said boss Harry Redknapp. "He can play several positions and is very clever.
"It was his decision to come to us. He said 'I want to come to Tottenham'."

West Ham had been confident of arranging a deal after Gudjohnsen underwent a medical at the club but Harry convinced him to opt for the Lane.
"I rang him and left a message on his phone and he came back to me and said 'I want to come to Tottenham'," said Redknapp. "He gives us lots of options. He is a top player."

Gudjohnsen will provide cover for a number of positions as they look to push for a top-four finish.

Gudjohnsen has won League titles in England, Holland and Spain, and was an unused substitute for Barcelona when they won the Champions League final in 2009.

Meanwhile thw club has rejected an offer for Pavlyuchenko from Birmingham while Jamie O'Hara has re-joined Portsmouth on loan and Giovani Dos Santos hasd been loaned out to Galatassaray in Turkey.

The Club is still in talks over Younes Kaboul and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic of Portsmouth.

LEEDS TIE ON TV

Our FA Cup 4th Round tie at home to Leeds United has been selected for live television coverage by ITV and will take place on Saturday 23 January, kick-off 6.15pm (Malta time). GO subscribers in Malta may also view the game on GO's sports channels.

BUTTON EXTENDS SHREWS STAY

David Button's loan at League Two side Shrewsbury Town has been extended until February 27.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper has made seven appearances during his initial loan move to New Meadow in November, keeping three clean sheets