Bill Nicholson - part 7

"He was way ahead of his time in terms of coaching, When I arrived from Cardiff, I was used to doing training which was dominated by running, but Bill Nicholson was doing things which most clubs hadn't even thought of. He also had a lovely manner with the players. He treated us as individuals and that helped us to blend as a team. Sometimes I used to go past the club late at night and the office light would still be on, he was just devoted to the club." - Terry Medwin

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Over the last week I have tried to pay tribute to, and celebrate the life of, Bill Nicholson who was born ninety-five years ago tomorrow. For ‘veteran’ fans like myself a chance to remember with a smile and maybe to shine ‘some old light through the new windows’ of the more recent fan.

It has been simply impossible to include all the tributes and stories about this great man. As I rechecked my memories I even found new sources of information I have to go back and explore. There are a couple of stories I decided not to include without addition confirmation. There may be tales or personal memories that you would like included. In which case do send them in, or of course write them yourself. Either way my intention is to mark the tenth anniversary of his passing later this year.

I hope you have found the series interesting / enjoyable. I must admit I found it a  rollercoaster of emotions producing it. I’ve planned a ‘Galley of Images’ for tomorrow. I’ve tried to find a few different ones to use rather than the usual suspects. 

If I can indulge myself for a moment. I was fortunate enough to have spoken to Bill several times. Well actually that should be Mr. Nicholson or Sir, I would never dream of calling him Bill, even as an adult. I can honestly say that in my life I’ve been ‘lucky ?’  enough to have met a number of famous / important people. Some I’ve liked, some I’ve been impressed by, but very few have left me in awe.

1. Feb 1953 Bill in action as we draw 4-4 with Preston.

It might be from the time when as young boys we went in search of our idols. Players were one thing but Mr. Nicholson was another level. None of the times I spoke to him run much past good morning. There was one occasion which oddly occurred during his brief spell at West Ham. I had a few days off and a friend said there’s a reserve game on at West Ham do you fancy going. I should point out he only lived a few yards from their Chadwell Health training ground.

2. Artist Micky Durning

3. Artist W.R.Priddy

So we went along. Bill was there to one side watching but talking to a reporter. At the end of the game he was passing within a few feet and we said ‘Good afternoon,’ he smiled and asked if we had enjoyed the game.

Not wanting him to think we were Hammers fans I replied something like “It was OK but being Spurs supporters we were used to something better.” He turned back with a big smile and gave the two of us a wink.

The last time I saw him was during his time as Club President. I had booked to go on a Stadium tour having not done one for several years. I was waiting in the main reception and was actually looking at the bust of him the club had commissioned as I had not seen it before. When there he was walking across the hall towards me.

I said “Good afternoon sir” and hoped he was well. He thanked me and as he turned away without thinking I added “Thank you for everything Sir.” To which he smiled and carried on. I expect he had heard similar statements most of his life. 

It was only afterwards I considered why I blurted that out. Maybe I’d never said thank you before for the immense pleasure he had brought me and I’d be unlikely to have another chance.

4.

I do know that this man had helped shape my way of watching football. No, my way of thinking about life. To me his true legacy isn’t in the record books. To me its in the soul of the club. Bill did not want to just win he demanded his teams play with style. “The Tottenham Way“. Thank you Mr. Nicholson. With best wishes to his family at this time.

I struggled long and hard to find a way to draw these recollections to a close when I came back to the obituary that John Fennelly wrote for the club. I hope he wont mind if I quote its opening. “The death of the great Bill Nicholson has stunned White Hart Lane. The silence that greeted the tragic news descended slowly and reluctantly on our famous old stadium as the magnitude of his passing devastated all that knew the great man. Even those of a younger age, who were only aware of Bill’s legendary status but had not seen his sides play, will stop and reflect when told of his demise because each and every generation of Spurs fans knows chapter and verse about his deeds as player and manager. To so many, Bill Nicholson was Tottenham Hotspur.”

5. Mr Tottenham.

This series has been drawn from many years of memories and family tales. With thanks to these and the various news agencies, sites, books etc over the years and apologies to any I’ve missed off the list. - THFC, THOS, John Fennelly, Andy Porter, The Tottenham Weekly Herald, BBC, The Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Evening News, The Daily Mirror, The Guardian, ESPN, The FA, England on Line, FIFA, The Independent, Google, Top Spurs, Hotspur HQ, Pathe News, Youtube, Skysports, Spurs Odyssey, spurs-ru, Bob Goodwin’s - The Complete Record, Phil Sour’s - The Offical History, Steve Hale‘s- Mr Tottenham Hotspur,  Alan Mullery and Paul Trevillion’s - Double Bill, Bill Nicholson’s own - Glory Glory, My life with Spurs. Ralph Finn’s Spurs Supreme and The  Spurs Go Marching On. Colin Gibson and Harry Harris- Glory Glory Nights, THFC’ VHS of the same title, Associated Press, Popperfoto, The club that Bill made, Sporting Mirror, Getty Images, Reuters Agency, National Media Museum, Evening Standard, The People, The Press Association,
Today's images - 1-George Howie, 2- Micky Durning, 3- W R Priddy,

About the author:
Keith Harrison, Nilgiris, TN
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