Bill Nicholson: Forever Remembered At Tottenham

Bill Nicholson will always be remembered at Tottenham Hotspur. Today, the club celebrates the life and legacy of their former player, manager and President at the match against Newcastle to commemorate ten years since the passing of the Spurs Legend.

It was 10 years ago on Thursday, on Saturday, 23rd October, 2004 that Bill Nicholson passed away. It is one of those “I remember where I was when I heard the news” moments – just as with the assassination of John F Kennedy (I was at the weekly meeting of the Boys’ Brigade) or the man walking on the moon (in bed with food poisoning). On this occasion, I had spent the morning in Belfast shopping with my wife. On the way home I switched on the radio to listen to the news and sport and was shocked to hear of the death of the Tottenham Legend – the club’s greatest and most successful manager.

Bill Nicholson will always be remembered by supporters of Tottenham Hotspur. He devoted his life to football, serving Tottenham for the greater part of that time as a player, coach, manager, consultant and President. Only a ridiculous decision by the the Directors in 1974, on Nicholson’s resignation as manager, caused him to walk away from the club he loved.

"It’s been my life, Tottenham Hotspur, and I love the club."

Fortunately, Keith Burkinshaw had enough confidence in his own ability and realising that the former manager had much to offer to the club, he invited him to return to White Hart Lane as a consultant. He later became the club President in 1991.

Bill Nicholson, the Player

Nicholson was born in Scarborough in 1919 and came to Tottenham in 1936, joining the ground staff. After two years playing for the Northfleet team, he turned professional and made his League debut in October of that year, playing at left back. He made 8 appearances that season and started as first choice the following August. The outbreak of war meant that his football career was put on hold.

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After serving his country, he returned to play at centre half immediately after the war but in 1947 took over at right half, the position he retained until retiring in 1954.

As a member of the ‘Push and Run’ Nicholson helped Tottenham reclaim their place in the top flight of English football after a break of 15 years, winning promotion as Champions in 1950. A year later, Tottenham won their first 1st Division title. Nicholson also played for England but on only one occasion. He made the most of the opportunity, however, scoring a goal with his first touch.

Bill Nicholson: Playing Stats:

1938-54 League: App. 314 Goals: 6 FA Cup: App. 27

Honours:

1949-50: 2nd Division Champions
1950-51: 1st Division Champions
1951-52: Runners-up in 1st Division
1951-52: Winners of FA Charity Shield

Bill Nicholson, the Manager

On retiring from playing, Nicholson took up coaching responsibilities in 1955 and within three years had taken control as manager. He set the standard in his first match in charge, as Spurs defeated Everton 10 – 4. Even greater things were to come in the early 1960s as the Spurs “Double” team dominated English football, for a too brief three year period, and became the first British club to win a European trophy.

Nicholson rebuilt his team to win the FA Cup in the mid-60s and then enjoyed more Cup success at home and in Europe before his decision to retire early in the 1974-75 season. He gave everything in the search to bring success to Tottenham and it took its toll.

Fortunately, after the short period away from the club he returned to enjoy his latter years receiving the acclamation he deserved for all he had achieved at Spurs.

Honours:

1960-61: League and FA Cup “Double”
1961: 1st Division Champions
1963: Runners-up in 1st Division
FA Cup Winners: 1961, 1962, 1967
ECWC Winners: 1963
League Cup Winners: 1971, 1973
UEFA Cup Winners: 1972
UEFA Cup Runners-up: 1974
FA Charity Shield Winners: 1961, 1962, 1967 (Shared)

Bill Nicholson means everything to every Tottenham supporter, even those too young to see his successful teams, because he was the man responsible for the club’s greatest success. He did it with pride and a passion for the club. He appreciated the fans and wanted his team to play the way that the supporters wanted. He gave them the “Tottenham way” but really it was the “Nicholson way”.

Never will Bill Nicholson be forgotten by supporters of Tottenham Hotspur.