Alan Gilzean RIP

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I'm saddened by reports of the death of this wonderful player, and also surprised nobody on here has beaten me to it. A brain tumour, at the age of 79. Rest in peace, Alan.

There's something I'll always remember him for. Late 60's me and my schoolmates always kicked tennis balls around at lunchtimes. We all started to copy him with his amazing flicks, dummies and back-headers. No lunch-time was complete without one of our number attempting an outrageous flick with the outside of our shoe and stubbing our toes, scuffing our new school shoes, or a dummy through our legs which completely out-witted the lad right behind us. For a while anyway, they soon became savvy to it and blocked it but then of course we wouldn't dummy it again. But we all did a "Gilzean" every day, no fail.

This was all down to watching Gilly and Greaves on The Big Match or MOTD the weekend before. We weren't Spurs fans but we loved him and it wasn't too long before one or two hairlines followed him too.

Another star of the 60's has gone. But he won't be forgotten.

[martino]

Pete - sad news.

As you so rightly say "Another star of the 60's has gone. But he won't be forgotten."

Like you I watched him and many other talented players of his generation mainly on The Big Match. Too many have passed away in recent years.

RIP

[Five and In]

I'm gutted at the sad news.

One of my first heroes at the Lane who I saw play many times and probably the best header of a football that I have ever seen.

Also fortunate enough to meet him on several occasions and he was a true gent, initially to a kid desperate for an autograph and latterly to a bloke who wanted to talk his ears off.

A Spurs Legend. A Dundee Legend. A Football Legend.

RIP Gilly and thank you.

[Turin21041999]

Tribute from a Manchester United supporter:

Alan Gilzean was a fantastic player who I remember well as a kid growing up.

Our visits to White Hart Lane have always been fantastic experiences both on and off the pitch! Legendary in fact! Respect Tottenham! The Shelf, Paxton Road, Park Lane! What great childhood memories at a proper football stadium.

Alan Gilzean was a proper football legend in the Tottenham days of Jimmy Greaves, Martin Chivers, Mike England etc.

Fantastic childhood days travelling to Tottenham

RIP Alan Gilzean

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

There's an excellent article here (among the adverts!)

http://www.heraldscotland.com/.....-the-game/

[Shotsman]

Less well known is that Alan Gilzean was stationed at Aldershot during his National Service and regularly played for both the 'A' team and the reserves. In the 1958/59 season he scored 22 times for the 'A' team and twice for the reserves. Others may know but I wonder if he was the last international footballer to be part of National Service. Sadly I never saw him play for Aldershot.

[Tynie Topics]

One of Scotland's greatest exports, yet often overlooked.

He played a massive part in Dundee winning the title and getting them to a European Cup Semi-Final, an amazing achievement.

22 Scotland caps and 12 goals, a fantastic strike rate worthy of many more caps.
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