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LONDON: Terry Dyson, the swift, tenacious winger whose tireless running and sharp instincts etched his name permanently into Tottenham Hotspur lore, has died aged 91. A central figure in the glorious double-winning side of 1960–61, Dyson was the embodiment of grit and efficiency in a team celebrated for its flair and swagger. Though often overshadowed in historical memory by superstar teammates such as Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith, Dyson was an indispensable member of manager Bill Nicholson’s legendary squad. A Tottenham statement said: “The club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Terry Dyson at the age of 91. Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.” Dyson, born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in November 1934, enjoyed an unconventional route to top-flight football. He honed his skills playing non-league football for Scarborough while working as a clerk, before serving in the Royal Air Force. It was during his national service that his explosive pace and sharp eye for goal caught the attention of Spurs scouts. Signed by Tottenham in 1955, he spent his early years at White Hart Lane adapting to the gruelling demands of professional football and biding his time as a squad player. Dyson’s patience and relentless work ethic paid off spectacularly during the historic 1960–61 season. Standing at just 5ft 5in, Dyson used his low center of gravity, burst of speed, and fierce determination to terrorise opposition full-backs. He was not merely a traditional left winger hugging the touchline, he worked tirelessly back, embodying a modern work rate decades ahead of its time. He complemented the artistic brilliance of Blanchflower and Cliff Jones by providing relentless balance, width, and opportunistic finishing. Dyson’s first great triumph arrived on May 6, 1961, in the FA Cup Final against Leicester City at Wembley Stadium. With Tottenham striving to become the first club in the 20th century to complete the League and FA Cup double, the pressure was immense. After setting up Bobby Smith’s opening goal with a crisp cross, Dyson sealed the historic 2–0 victory himself, leaping to head home a magnificent second goal. That moment secured Spurs’ place in history and enshrined Dyson as an eternal hero to the Tottenham faithful. Two years later, Dyson delivered another masterclass, this time on the European stage. In the 1963 European Cup-winners Cup Final against Atlético Madrid in Rotterdam, he scored twice – including a spectacular long-range dip over the goalkeeper – and set up another as Spurs routed the Spanish cup-holders 5–1. In doing so, Tottenham became the first British club to win a major European trophy. Dyson made 209 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur across all competitions, scoring 55 goals. He remains the only Tottenham player to score a hat-trick against north London rivals Arsenal, at the start of the 1961-62 campaign. He LEFT White Hart Lane in 1965 for Fulham then Colchester United before moving into non-league management and coaching. ###