Tottenham Hotspur are mourning the death of Terry Dyson, the former winger who became part of one of the greatest sides in the club’s history and remains the only Spurs player to score a hat-trick against Arsenal.Dyson, who also played for Fulham, Colchester and Guildford after leaving Tottenham, died aged 91. His 10-year spell at Spurs produced 209 appearances and 55 goals, including goals in two of the club’s most important finals of the 1960s.
Dyson was part of Tottenham’s historic Double-winning side
Dyson was a key member of Bill Nicholson’s Tottenham side that won the First Division and FA Cup in the 1960-61 season, becoming the first English team in the 20th century to complete the domestic Double.He scored in the FA Cup Final as Spurs beat Leicester City 2-0 at Wembley, with Bobby Smith scoring Tottenham’s other goal.Dyson went on to remain an important part of Nicholson’s side as Tottenham added European success to their domestic achievements.Two years after the Double, Spurs won the European Cup Winners’ Cup, becoming the first British club to win a major European trophy.
His defining European night came in Rotterdam
Dyson scored twice in Tottenham’s 5-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final in Rotterdam.Jimmy Greaves, John White and Terry Medwin also scored as Spurs produced a dominant performance to secure the trophy.Those two goals became one of the defining moments of Dyson’s Tottenham career and were remembered by his former team-mate Cliff Jones following news of his death.Jones, who was also 91, wrote on X: “Sad to hear of the passing of my friend and @SpursOfficial teammate Terry Dyson.“Scored so many trophy winning goals. Condolences to all the family. remember Rotterdam.”
Dyson’s Arsenal hat-trick remains unique
Dyson also holds a distinction that no other Tottenham player has matched.He scored a hat-trick against Arsenal at the beginning of the 1961-62 season, helping Spurs to a memorable North London derby victory.Dyson later admitted that one of his goals had an element of controversy.“One of them hit my hand. It bounced up, hit my hand and I lashed it in and the Arsenal players went mad.”Despite the circumstances of that goal, the hat-trick remains part of Tottenham history, with Dyson still the only Spurs player to score three times in a North London derby.Former Tottenham midfielder Micky Hazard paid tribute to him after his death, highlighting both achievements.“Very sad news today as Terry Dyson has passed,” Hazard wrote.“A member of our Double winning team of 1960/61, Terry scored twice in our Cup Winners’ Cup Final triumph and remains the only player to score a hat-trick against Arsenal.“A true gentleman. RIP Terry one of the best.”
Tottenham pay tribute to a club great
Tottenham confirmed Dyson’s death in a statement, describing him as a key member of the side that won the Double in 1961.“The club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Terry Dyson at the age of 91,” Tottenham said.“Terry was a key part of our double-winning side in 1961, scoring in the FA Cup Final.“He also scored twice in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. He made 209 appearances in all competitions, scoring 55 goals.“Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”Dyson’s Tottenham career lasted a decade and included domestic and European trophies, 209 appearances and 55 goals. He later continued his playing career with Fulham, Colchester and Guildford, but his place in Tottenham history was secured by the Double, his European final goals and an Arsenal record that remains his alone.
