Hotspur Towers - Alan Gilzean

Alan Gilzean started at Dundee as an amateur and turned professional soon afterwards. While he was with them he won the Scottish League (1962) and they reached the European Cup semi-final the following season and were runners up in the Scottish Cup the next. Bill Nicholson brought him to Spurs to form the G-Men with Greaves, to replace Bobby Smith in December 1964 for £72,500.

---

This just a month after his first game at WHL for a Scottish Select side in John Whites memorial  match in November 1964, when he scored twice. He developed an almost telepathic understanding with Greaves and Spurs reaped the rewards. Gilly become famous for his headers, (once being described as an aerial craftsman) he could pass the ball better with his headed flicks than many players with their feet, but there was much more to him and he was very skilful on the floor.  

At Spurs he won the FA Cup (67), the League Cup (71 & 73) and the UEFA Cup 1972.  He retired from playing in 1974 after 439 (inc ten from the bench) games and 133 goals, having created as many for others.
He stands 8th in the clubs all time scorers list. As well as joint third in the European list on 13 from 28 games. That includes the first ever hat trick scored in the newly formed UEFA Cup away to Keflavik in September 1971.

He also has to his name 169 goals in 190 games for Dundee and was the Scottish Leagues top scorer twice in three years.

Dundee later produced a celebration blend of whiskey in his honour.
Only 169 bottles were produced, one for each goal. One was presented to him and one to Tottenham.

Left V Leicester 1973.

Below -The second Keflavik game.

---

His last game as a Spurs player was in Mauritius but he did appear again at The Lane when the club awarded him a testimonial in the November of that year V Red Star Belgrade.  He would join Highland Park, in South Africa for a short time before returning to become manager at Stevenage for a short spell before settling for a quite life away from the limelight.

---

For some years before he was lured back to Spurs and was given the welcome he deserved. He has since been more of a regular at home games.

Alan won 22 full caps (17 with Spurs) and scored 12 goals for his country. His first Scottish goal came against England at Hampden Park.  He managed two for his country on four occasions. He never seemed to get the credit he was due north of the boarder possibly because he didn’t have a partner like Greaves and later Chivers.

Alan trivia – While on National Service he appeared for Aldershot on loan from Dundee but never appeared in a league game. - Before he signed for Spurs he was offered the opportunity to sign for both Sunderland and the Italian side Torino.

He also played for his country at under 23 level and for the Scottish League. His son Ian was with Spurs and later also played for Dundee.
Alan is in the Hall of Fame at Spurs, Dundee and Scotland. He will always be remembered at Tottenham for being the subject on a song that declared him 'The King of White Hart Lane.'

COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
f - https://www.facebook.com/keith.harrison.9659
My profile / archive is @ -  View Full Bio

---