Greaves leads tributes to ‘the great Alan Gilzean’
● Tottenham Hotspur and Dundee pay tribute to legendary Scottish striker
Scottish football legend Alan Gilzean – dubbed “the King of White Hart Lane” for his dominance in attack when playing for Tottenham Hotspur – has died at the age of 79.
The striker was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this summer.
Former England international Jimmy Greaves, who played alongside Gilzean for Spurs between 1964 and 1970, confirmed the Coupar Angusborn footballer had passed away yesterday.
His official account tweeted: “Heartbreaking news today. The great Alan Gilzean passed away this morning.
“Sympathy to his family. He was a lovely man and obviously one of the all-time Spurs greats.”
Spurs said: “Everyone at the club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our legendary former striker Alan Gilzean. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Dundee FC, where Gilzean started his career, tweeted that he died after having recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Confirmation of his ill health had been announced only last month.
The club wrote: “Everyone at Dundee Football Club are devastated to learn that club legend Alan Gilzean passed away this morning after recently being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Alan’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
The Scottish Football Association said: “We are fortunate that the history of our game is littered with entertainers who captivated supporters. Alan was certainly among them. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”
Born in 1938, Gilzean started played with Coupar Angus Juveniles and Dundee Violet before moving on to Dundee FC in 1957. During seven years at Dens Park, he netted more than 150 league goals.
He won the 1961-62 Scottish League with Dundee and helped them reach the semifinals of the European Cup the following season, scoring in a 1-0 home win over AC Milan, although the Italian side went through 5-2 on aggregate.
Gilzean left Dundee for Spurs in 1964, signing for a fee of £72,500, despite interest from Italian side Torino.
During his ten years at Spurs he helped them win the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup in 1972.
He formed a successful strike partnership with Greaves during his time there, until the England forward moved to West Ham in 1970.
Gilzean scored 133 goals in more than 400 games in all competitions with the English club.
He spent ten years in north London before hanging up his boots in 1974 after Tottenham’s Uefa Cup final defeat to Feyenoord of the Netherlands.
Gilzean made his Scotland debut in 1963 and represented his country on 22 occasions, scoring 12 goals.
After ending his football career in the UK, Gilzean spent a short stint playing in South Africa before returning to England as manager of Stevenage Athletic in Hertfordshire.
He later worked for a transport company in Enfield, a short distance from White Hart Lane.