One day after nine Tottenham Hotspur players hit new heights at the World Cup, we have sad news to report. Legendary Spurs striker Alan Gilzean passed away today, according to numerous online reports including Tottenham on their social media channels.
Gilzean was diagnosed with a brain tumor a couple of weeks ago and his prognosis was not good, so this isn’t a complete surprise, but it’s still very sad. He was 79.
Everyone at the Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our legendary former striker Alan Gilzean. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/uECwQ5mPUf
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 8, 2018
Gilzean started his professional football career in Scotland with Dundee before moving to Spurs in 1964. Over his ten year career at Tottenham between 1964-1974, Gilly made a staggering 433 appearances in all competitions. His 133 goals put him at ninth on Spurs’ all-time goal scorer’s list; he was higher but Harry Kane passed him earlier this season. He formed an especially potent strike partnership with another Spurs legend, Jimmy Greaves, whose family paid tribute to Gilly on Twitter this morning.
Heartbreaking news today. The great Alan Gilzean passed away this morning. Sympathy to his family. He was a lovely man and obviously one of the all time Spurs greats
— Jimmy Greaves (@jimmy_greaves) July 8, 2018
As a member of Tottenham Hotspur he won the FA Cup in 1967, two League Cups in 1971 & 1973, and the UEFA Cup in 1971-72. He was so beloved by Spurs fans that he was given the nickname “The King of White Hart Lane,” a title he thoroughly deserved. He was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and into Tottenham’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
A great servant to the club has passed on. Rest in peace, Gilly.