On this day in 1938 Alan Gilzean was born at Coupar Angus.
After a superb early part of his career, with his 150+ goals for Dundee helping them to their only Scottish title in 1962 and reaching European Cup Semi Final in 1962. He scored 133 goals in 439 senior appearances for the club between 1964 and 1974.
Gillie joined Tottenham Hotspur in December 1964, moving for a transfer fee of £72,500.
Alan enjoyed a glittering career as a Spurs player, while he also changed his style of play from being the main goalscorer to being an intelligent and creative forward. He formed a partnership alongside crowd favourite Jimmy Greaves. A member of the 1967 FA Cup Final winning team, Alan continued to be a regular first-team player after the arrival of Martin Chivers in early 1968.
Gilzean and Chivers formed a new and equally successful goalscoring partnership. This contributed greatly to our cup triumphs in the first half of the decade, winning the League Cup in 1971, the UEFA Cup in 1972 and a second League Cup victory in 1973.
The 1973–74 season was Gilzean’s last as a professional footballer as we lost the UEFA Cup final to Dutch side Feyenoord.
Spurs awarded Gilzean with a testimonial match, played against Red Star Belgrade in November 1974, to recognise his ten years of service as a Tottenham player
Sadly, Gillie, a true Spurs hero, passed away on 8 July 2018 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
