A mobile forward, who had a
scoring ratio of almost one goal every two games, Bert
Bliss was a player who lead the forward line for the
club either side of the First World War.
Rightly regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers in
the club's history with 168 goals in 316 matches, Bert
was quick of foot and mind, with a goal-scorer's
instinct which helped Spurs to a successful period in
the club's history.
A junior game in Birmingham was where Spurs spotted Bert Bliss playing and snapped him up from Willenhall Swifts for £10, giving him his Football League debut within a month of his arrival at the club.
Bliss' first season proved very successful for the club, with 21 goals, although at the end of the 1914-15 campaign Spurs were relegated to the Second Division and then the First World War interrupted his Tottenham career and his service to his country denied him of some vital years in a Lilywhite shirt. However, following his return to playing, Bert soon resumed doing what he did best, scoring goals. 31 of them hit the net as Tottenham ran through the Second Division to gain promotion at the first attempt as champions.
Noted for the power and accuracy of his shooting at goal, Bliss continued as the main scorer for Spurs and his two strikes in the FA Cup semi-final of 1921 saw Tottenham overcome Preston North End to go through and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to take the trophy. Bert was instrumental in the move that lead to the only goal scored by Jimmy Dimmock that decided the game.
Was top scorer in the 1920-21 season with 17 league goals and four in the FA Cup and this was borne from his confidence in his powerful shooting ability, which saw him pepper the goal with shots.
The striker won international honours with one cap for England in 1921 against Scotland two weeks before the FA Cup final. Stayed with Spurs another next season, but in December 1922 he left to play for Clapton Orient and later for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic before retiring in 1926.
Bert Bliss died on 14th June 1968.