Alan Gilzean
Encyclopedia
Alan John Gilzean is a former professional footballer from the 1960s and 1970s and played for Dundee
in his native country and English club Tottenham Hotspur
.
before joining Dundee
in January 1956 as a 17-year-old amateur. He finally signed professional forms at the beginning of the 1957–58 campaign and scored more than 100 goals in the Scottish top flight as an important part of the successful Dens Park
side, winning the Scottish league championship
in 1961–62, reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup
the following season and the final of the Scottish Cup
in 1964
, losing 3–1 to Rangers
.
On 3 April 2009, Gilzean was inducted into Dundee's Hall of Fame.
after the difficulties Law had experienced playing there. Gilzean made his debut in a home fixture against Everton
.
Gilzean enjoyed a glittering career as a Tottenham player, quickly changing his style of play from a prolific striker to an intelligent and creative forward, forming a famed partnership alongside crowd favourite Jimmy Greaves
. A member of the 1967 FA Cup winning team, Gilzean continued to be a regular first-team player despite the arrival of Martin Chivers
in early 1968 from Southampton
.
After strike-partner Greaves moved to West Ham United
in March 1970, Gilzean and Chivers formed a new and equally successful goalscoring partnership, contributing greatly to Tottenham's cup triumphs in the first half of the decade, winning the League Cup
in 1971, an all-English UEFA Cup
final in 1972 against Wolverhampton Wanderers
and a second League Cup victory in 1973.
The 1973–74 season was Gilzean's last as a professional footballer as Spurs lost the UEFA Cup final to Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam
. Announcing his retirement during the club tour to Mauritius
he was awarded a testimonial in November 1974 to recognise his ten years of service as a Tottenham player.
having previously represented his country at Under-23 level on three occasions as well as playing for the Scottish League representative side. He received four more international caps in the following twelve months and scored twice at White Hart Lane
for a Scotland Select XI against Spurs in a memorial match for fellow Scot John White, who died in tragic circumstances in July 1964.
Gilzean represented Scotland seventeen times during his Spurs career.
He scored 12 goals in 22 full international appearances for Scotland
between 1963 and 1971.
On 15 November 2009 he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame
.
, alongside his Assistant Manager, Tim 'Pieman' Welton.
, only a short distance from White Hart Lane.
His son Ian
was also a professional player.
Tottenham Hotspur
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
in his native country and English club Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
.
Dundee
Gilzean began his career with local sides Coupar Angus Juveniles and Dundee VioletDundee Violet F.C.
Dundee Violet F.C. are a Scottish football club based in the city of Dundee. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, they currently play in the East Region North Division...
before joining Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
in January 1956 as a 17-year-old amateur. He finally signed professional forms at the beginning of the 1957–58 campaign and scored more than 100 goals in the Scottish top flight as an important part of the successful Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
side, winning the Scottish league championship
Scottish football champions
The Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
in 1961–62, reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup
European Cup 1962-63
The 1962–63 season of the European Cup – a football tournament for clubs in Europe – was won by Milan for the first time, in a final match against defending champions Benfica, who were appearing in a third consecutive final.-Preliminary round:...
the following season and the final of the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
in 1964
Scottish Cup 1963-64
The 1963–64 Scottish Cup was the 79th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers who defeated Dundee in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
, losing 3–1 to Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
On 3 April 2009, Gilzean was inducted into Dundee's Hall of Fame.
Tottenham Hotspur
Gilzean's performance in a match between an England XI and a Scotland XI in November 1964, which had been originally intended as a testimonial for John White, who had died in tragic circumstances in July that year, alerted the Spurs management who were still searching for a suitable replacement for 'Double' winner Bobby Smith. Gilzean joined the North London club in December 1964 for a fee of £72,500 despite Gilzean being offered better personal terms by Sunderland and Italians Torino also interested in signing him. However Gilzean was warned off playing in Italy by Denis LawDenis Law
Denis Law is a retired Scottish football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s....
after the difficulties Law had experienced playing there. Gilzean made his debut in a home fixture against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
Gilzean enjoyed a glittering career as a Tottenham player, quickly changing his style of play from a prolific striker to an intelligent and creative forward, forming a famed partnership alongside crowd favourite Jimmy Greaves
Jimmy Greaves
James Peter 'Jimmy' Greaves is an English former football player, England's third highest international goalscorer, the highest goalscorer in the history of Tottenham Hotspur football club, the highest goalscorer in the history of English top flight football and more recently a television pundit -...
. A member of the 1967 FA Cup winning team, Gilzean continued to be a regular first-team player despite the arrival of Martin Chivers
Martin Chivers
Martin Harcourt Chivers is a retired English professional footballer from the 1960s and 1970s.-Southampton:...
in early 1968 from Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
After strike-partner Greaves moved to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in March 1970, Gilzean and Chivers formed a new and equally successful goalscoring partnership, contributing greatly to Tottenham's cup triumphs in the first half of the decade, winning the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in 1971, an all-English UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
final in 1972 against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and a second League Cup victory in 1973.
The 1973–74 season was Gilzean's last as a professional footballer as Spurs lost the UEFA Cup final to Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord is a Dutch professional football club located in Rotterdam. Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the "big three" clubs in the Netherlands. These three clubs and Utrecht and Roda JC are the only clubs never to have been relegated from the Dutch first division...
. Announcing his retirement during the club tour to Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
he was awarded a testimonial in November 1974 to recognise his ten years of service as a Tottenham player.
International career
Gilzean made his debut for the Scottish national team in November 1963 against NorwayNorway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
having previously represented his country at Under-23 level on three occasions as well as playing for the Scottish League representative side. He received four more international caps in the following twelve months and scored twice at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
for a Scotland Select XI against Spurs in a memorial match for fellow Scot John White, who died in tragic circumstances in July 1964.
Gilzean represented Scotland seventeen times during his Spurs career.
He scored 12 goals in 22 full international appearances for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
between 1963 and 1971.
On 15 November 2009 he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame
Scottish Football Hall of Fame
The Scottish Football Hall of Fame is located at the Scottish Football Museum. Inductees are picked each year by fans and a committee selects the eight finalists who are inducted at an annual dinner....
.
Management
Gilzean returned to England after a spell in South Africa, as manager of Stevenage AthleticStevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
, alongside his Assistant Manager, Tim 'Pieman' Welton.
Life after football
Gilzean stated, whilst playing, that he disliked football and had no intention of furthering his career after playing. He has since worked for a transport company in EnfieldLondon Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
, only a short distance from White Hart Lane.
His son Ian
Ian Gilzean
Ian Roger Gilzean is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in England, Scotland, and Ireland, Gilzean made over 250 career appearances, scoring nearly 100 goals....
was also a professional player.
Tottenham Hotspur statistics
- First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
: 343 matches, 93 goals - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: 40 matches, 21 goals - League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: 28 matches, 6 goals - EuropeUEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
: 28 matches, 13 goals - TOTAL: 439 matches, 133 goals
International goals
- Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 11 April 1964 Hampden Park Hampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
1–0 1–0 BHC 1964 British Home ChampionshipThe 1964 British Home Championship international Home Nations football tournament was an unusual affair in which victory was shared between the England, Scotland and Ireland national football teams after all teams scored four points by beating Wales and then winning one and losing one of their...2 12 May 1964 Niedersachsen Stadion, Hannover 1–2 2–2 Friendly 3 12 May 1964 Niedersachsen Stadion, Hannover 2–2 2–2 Friendly 4 25 November 1964 Hampden Park Hampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
2–1 3–2 BHC 1965 British Home ChampionshipThe 1965 British Home Championship was an outright victory for the English football team in the run up to the 1966 FIFA World Cup which was held in the country...5 2 October 1965 Windsor Park Windsor ParkWindsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
, BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
1–0 2–3 BHC 1966 British Home ChampionshipThe 1966 British Home Championship was a cause of great excitement as it supplied spectators and commentators a view of England prior to their contesting the football 1966 FIFA World Cup on home soil at which they were one of the favourites...6 2 October 1965 Windsor Park Windsor ParkWindsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
, BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
2–2 2–3 BHC 1966 British Home ChampionshipThe 1966 British Home Championship was a cause of great excitement as it supplied spectators and commentators a view of England prior to their contesting the football 1966 FIFA World Cup on home soil at which they were one of the favourites...7 22 November 1967 Hampden Park Hampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
1–0 3–2 BHC 1968 British Home ChampionshipThe 1968 British Home Championship football was the final stage of the 1968 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying for the Home Nations, and provided revenge for an England team smarting from a defeat on their home ground to the Scots just months after winning the 1966 FIFA World Cup which...
/ ECQG88 22 November 1967 Hampden Park Hampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
2–2 3–2 BHC 1968 British Home ChampionshipThe 1968 British Home Championship football was the final stage of the 1968 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying for the Home Nations, and provided revenge for an England team smarting from a defeat on their home ground to the Scots just months after winning the 1966 FIFA World Cup which...
/ ECQG89 17 December 1968 Lefkosia NicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, NicosiaNicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
1–0 5–0 WCQG7 10 17 December 1968 Lefkosia NicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, NicosiaNicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
3–0 5–0 WCQG7 11 3 May 1969 The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham WrexhamWrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
3–2 5–3 BHC 1969 British Home ChampionshipThe 1969 British Home Championship was the third edition of the tournament to be held whilst England were World Champions following their victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. The tournament was reverted back to its pre-First World War format, being played at the end of the season in a short period...12 22 October 1969 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg Hamburg-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
2–2 2–3 WCQG7
Honours
Dundee- 1961–62 - Scottish League championshipScottish football championsThe Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
Tottenham Hotspur
- 1967 - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(2–1 ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
) - 1971 - League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(2–0 Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
) - 1972 - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
(2–1, 1–1 Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
) - 1973 - League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(1–0 Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
)
- 2009 -
Inducted to Scottish Football Hall of FameScottish Football Hall of FameThe Scottish Football Hall of Fame is located at the Scottish Football Museum. Inductees are picked each year by fans and a committee selects the eight finalists who are inducted at an annual dinner....
External links
- Profile Sporting-Heroes.net
- Alan Gilzean-aerial craftsman