Tottenham Mourns the Passing of Club Legend Terry Dyson at Age 91
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Terry Dyson, who played a significant role in the club’s historic 1961 double-winning team, has passed away at the age of 91. Tottenham confirmed Dyson’s death on Thursday, honoring the legacy of a player who netted 55 goals in 209 appearances during his decade-long career with the club.
Dyson was an essential part of the team managed by Bill Nicholson, which achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first 20th-century English club to secure both the First Division and the FA Cup in the same season. His contributions continued to shine two years later when he scored twice in a 5-1 victory against Atletico Madrid, helping the team clinch the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
In a statement released by the club, Tottenham expressed their sorrow, stating, “The club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Terry Dyson at the age of 91. Terry was a key part of our double-winning side in 1961, scoring in the FA Cup Final. He also scored twice in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. He made 209 appearances in all competitions, scoring 55 goals. Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
After departing from Spurs, the Yorkshire native continued his career with Fulham, Colchester, and Guildford. He notably remains the only Spurs player to achieve a hat-trick against rival team Arsenal, which he accomplished at the onset of the 1961-62 season.
Reflecting on his hat-trick during a 2020 interview, Dyson revealed, “One of them hit my hand. It bounced up, hit my hand and I lashed it in, and the Arsenal players went mad. They ran after the referee but he never saw it.” He reminisced about the joy of that moment, stating, “To get a hat-trick was brilliant, and nobody has done it since. There was a header, a left foot, and a right foot. It was perfect!”
Dyson celebrated his achievement with some drinks and recalled receiving measured praise from manager Nicholson, saying, “His praise wasn’t brilliant… but he said well done, and I was like ‘oh thanks Bill!’ We went out that night and had a few drinks, so it was good.” Dyson reflected on the lasting impact of that memorable game, stating, “It is amazing, you don’t think of it at the time but it has gone down in history.”
Former Tottenham winger Terry Dyson, a 1961 double-winner, has died aged 91.
The Premier League club confirmed his death on Thursday as they paid tribute to their former player, who scored 55 goals across 209 games over a 10-year spell at Spurs.
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Dyson played an integral role under Bill Nicholson as the 1960-61 side became the first 20th-century English club to complete a First Division and FA Cup double. Two years later, he produced another stellar performance by scoring twice during a 5-1 triumph over Atletico Madrid to capture the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
A statement from Tottenham read: “The club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Terry Dyson at the age of 91.
“Terry was a key part of our double-winning side in 1961, scoring in the FA Cup Final. He also scored twice in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. He made 209 appearances in all competitions, scoring 55 goals.
“Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Dyson was part of the Tottenham side that won the double in 1961 (Getty)
After leaving Spurs, the Yorkshireman went on to play for Fulham, Colchester and Guildford.
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He remains the only Spurs player to have scored a hat-trick against fierce rivals Arsenal, achieving the feat at the start of the 1961-62 campaign.
Reflecting on the achievement in 2020, Dyson told the Press Association: “One of them hit my hand. It bounced up, hit my hand and I lashed it in and the Arsenal players went mad.
“They ran after the referee but he never saw it. I didn’t do it deliberately but it hit my hand and I just lashed it in.
“To get a hat-trick was brilliant and nobody has done it since. There was a header, a left foot and a right foot. It was perfect!”
Dyson celebrated the hat-trick with “a few drinks” while receiving reserved praise from manager Nicholson.
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“His praise wasn’t brilliant, he didn’t throw it out willy-nilly, but he said well done and I was like ‘oh thanks Bill!’ We went out that night and had a few drinks, so it was good,” Dyson said six years ago.
“It is amazing, you don’t think of it at the time but it has gone down in history.”
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