
The Home Pages of John Barber
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Author, Writer, Research
The night Spurs won the League -
On the left (above) is the front page of the programme for that night. The image expands to full size when clicked. Older supporters may remember that programmes were sold as a single sheet of paper that you had to fold yourself.
On the right (above) is a photo of the winning goal scored by Les Allen (out of shot). Bobby Smith is in foreground, Terry Dyson in the background.
The following is a quote from John Arlott writing in the last days programme notes
against West Bromwich Albion (which Spurs lost 2-
'Not all champions have been recognised at the true bar of footballing judgement
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Danny Blanchflower (capt), Bill Brown, Ron Henry, Les Allen,
Dave Mackay, Terry Dyson, Peter Baker, Maurice Norman,
John White, Cliff Jones, Bobby Smith.

This is how the team usually lined up. The 2-
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Bill Brown (Goalkeeper).Signed from Dundee in June 1959.Full Scottish international. Done the simple things well and is up there with Jennings and Clemence as perhaps the best seen in Spurs goal. |
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Peter Baker (Right Back). Not the classiest full back but was steady and given the quality of wingers in those days was rarely embarrassed. |
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Ron Henry (Left Back). Sound, fast and a good tackler. Won a few England caps but lost out to Ray Wilson. As with so many of this generation would have won more caps had a squad system been in place. Stayed on with the club as coach |
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Danny Blanchflower (Right half and captain). Incomparable. No one could control a game like Blanchflower. Never missed a penalty. Danny made this side great. Signed from Aston Villa in December 1954 and went on to captain Northern Ireland. |
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Maurice Norman (Centre half). Powerful and commanding figure in defence. Signed from Norwich in November 1955. Should have been England's regular centre half but had to wait for Billy Wright to collect 105 caps and retire. Then his career was cut short when he broke his leg in a friendly. |
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Dave Mackay (Left Half). No one earned the right to be called 'great' more than Dave Mackay. A one man team. Always gave one hundred per cent even when the others believed the game was already won. Bill Nick believed him to be the heart of the team. A regular for Scotland and would have continued for more years had he not broke his leg twice. Signed from Hearts in March 1959. |
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Cliff Jones (Right Wing).Signed from Swansea in February 1958. Rated faster than the legendary 'Hento' of Real Madrid, was a superb crosser of a ball and scored goals with bullet like accuracy from flying headers. 'Jonah' was a Welsh International regular. |
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John White (Inside right).Perhaps the most skilful player ever to wear a Spurs shirt (including Hoddle and Ginola). Signed from Falkirk in October 1959 and was a Scottish International. Nicknamed 'the Ghost', could pinpoint a cross and stop any ball dead. Bill Nick was grooming him to replace Blanchflower but he was killed in a freak lightning strike whilst playing golf in 1964. |
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Bobby Smith (Centre Forward). Oh for the return of forwards like big, bustling Bobby Smith. A big man but was deceptively skilful and scored goals like shelling peas with foot or head. Signed from Chelsea in 1955 he won several England caps. In days when goalkeepers did not have the protection they do now, it was a delight to watch his battles with the Burnley keeper, Adam Blacklaw. No quarter asked, none given. Fun! |
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Les Allen (Inside Left).Always in the shadow of Bobby Smith he nevertheless scored
119 goals in his Spurs career from 1959 - |
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Terry Dyson (left wing) After scoring a typical wingers goal in the Cup Winners Cup
Final against Athletico Madrid in 1963 Bobby Smith told him to retire whilst he was
ahead. Terry was a short, snappy winger who could cross a ball - |
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Bill Nicholson (Manager) A member of the famous 'Push and Run' side of the fifties Bill Nick was the architect of the Double Side. It was his belief that football should be played in a certain way that created such a footballing club and tradition. Spurs fans still believe that it is not the winning that is important, it is in the way that you do it. This is why Bill Nick will remain the greatest. Bill Nick died on 23 Oct 2004. |
Tottenham Hotspur -
For a host of quotes on Bill Nick's views on football and Spurs in particular, as
well as from Arthur Rowe, Alf Ramsey and Danny Blanchflower see my sports quotes
pages -
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