On this day in 1964, a memorial match between a Tottenham XI and Scotland XI took place for John White, the game having been postponed due to fog from the night before.
This game gave Spurs’ fans the opportunity to pay their respects to a ‘Legend of White Hart Lane’, the late John White, the Scottish International who had so tragically died when struck by lightning while playing golf during the summer.
The match result (6-2 to Scotland XI) was insignificant to the 29,000 fans who flocked to pay their respects.
John’s brother, Tommy who played professionally both in Scotland and England appeared as a guest player for Spurs and scored the opening goal.
John White had been a very important member of the ‘Double’ team and his death at the age of twenty seven was a tragic loss. The programme for the game contained many tributes to the player from respected managers, players and journalists.
Bill Nicholson said,
John White’s death was not only a great loss to the club but a great personal loss to me. He was a great personalty as well as being a superb footballer.
Bill Brown, the Scottish international goalkeeper who enjoyed great success with John White for Spurs and Scotland said,
He was a terrific bloke – the sort whose company I enjoyed. And on the field he was one of the greatest inside-forwards I have ever player with.