On 15th May 1963, Spurs travelled to Rotterdam to take on current holders, Atletico Madrid, in the European Cup Winners Cup Final.

Having narrowly failed to reach the European Cup Final the previous season, Spurs had qualified for the 1962/63 ECWC by retaining the FA Cup in 1962. They had now reached the final of a major European final and produced a stunning display to thump the holders 5-1 and create more history by becoming the first British club to win any of the major European trophies.

Spurs went into the match without an injured Dave MacKay and Danny Blanchflower carrying a knee injury but determined to play given the missing MacKay. Atletico were a top European team and went into the match as favourites once it was known MacKay was missing.

It is said that Danny stopped Bill Nicholson’s team talk prior to the match – upset that Bill was concentrating on praising the Madrid players, Danny poured water in the merits of the Spaniards and started to go round the changing room and big up each Spurs player reminding them of their talents and what the team had achieved over the previous few seasons.

Buoyed by this rousing pep talk, goals from Jimmy Greaves and John White put Tottenham 2-0 up inside 35 mins. The Spaniards got themselves back into the match with a penalty just after the break. However after weathering the Madrid storm, a Terry Dyson goal halfway through the second half restored Spurs two goal lead. Further goals from Jimmy Greaves and Terry Dyson in the final 10 minutes, completed the rout and ensured Spurs lifted the cup.

Terry Dyson, scored two and set up two, was inspiring – “Terry Dyson has never had a better game,” said Tottenham’s captain and inspiration, Danny Blanchflower.

Spurs Team: Brown, Baker, Henry, Blanchflower(Captain), Norman, Marchi, Jones, White, Smith, Greaves, Dyson.