The beautiful game has seen its fair share of crazy matches, but none quite as bonkers as the 1991 FA Cup final between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest. This match wasn't just historic for Spurs, it also marked a shift in the balance of power between these two sides, with the Tricky Trees regularly giving them a good hiding throughout the '90s.
The Blizzard of '96
Fast forward to 1996, and Tottenham were looking to get a rare win over Forest. They travelled to the City Ground on February 19, hoping for a spot in the quarter-finals. But any hope they had was quickly snuffed out by the wild winds and blizzard that hit the pitch.
Just ten minutes into the match, the snow started falling, and five minutes later, it was a full-on whiteout. The officials tried to keep things going by swapping the white ball for an orange one, but it was no use. The pitch lines were completely invisible, and the ref had no choice but to suspend the match.
Snowmen on the Pitch
Tottenham manager Gerry Francis said at the time, "It became impossible. Everyone on the line would have got pneumonia if they had stayed out any longer. We would have turned into snowmen." And he wasn't wrong. Photos from the match show players barely visible through the thick snow, looking like something from a good 60 years prior.
The Aftermath
The match became part of Tottenham folklore, with tales of epic journeys back to London through the treacherous snow. The match was eventually re-arranged for nine days later, and ended in a 2-2 draw in much better conditions.
But Spurs fans hoping for a reward for their struggles were left disappointed by the return leg in London. After a 1-1 draw, Forest qualified for the next round with a win on penalties. Just another chapter in the long and bitter rivalry between these two sides.
