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O/T Dave Mackay

For those younger members, who might doubt why the old gits say he is a legend, I have found this site on the "interweb" www.davemackayclubties.co.uk

Dave Mackay

The stature of Dave Mackay in Tottenham folklore is vast and indisputable; indeed, to imagine Spurs' great sixties side without the vibrant Scot is to picture the Huns without Attila or the Alamo without Davy Crockett. Yet while it is right that so much is made of Dave's dynamic, warrior-like qualities - many have written that if Blanchflower was the brains of the team, Mackay was its heart - there is a danger of under-selling his sheer, unadulterated all-round talent.

In fact, his control was second to none, he was the cleanest striker of a ball at the club and he passed with the utmost precision. And how the mighty left-half reveled in his skill; in training he would astonish team-mates by volleying continuously against a wall from ten or even 15 yards - anyone who doubts the difficulty of this trick should attempt it for themselves - and later, as Spurs captain, he would run on to the pitch, kick the ball high in the air, then catch it infallibly on his instep, a subtle form of intimidation that demanded of his opponents. 'Can you do that?'

All this is not to say, of course, that the traditional image of Dave Mackay is a myth. Despite standing just 5ft 8in, he exerted an awesome physical presence, muscular thighs and a barn-door of a chest topped by features that were positively piratical. The man tackled like a granite avalanche, exuding a passionate will to win and apparently consumed by a devilish, ruthless relish for his work. Colleagues leapt to do his bidding as he drove them on, invariably by stirring personal example, often by melodramatic gesture and abrasive Caledonian invective. Though lacking in outright pace, he bustled tirelessly between attack and defence, typically winning the ball, flicking a pass, then surging forward to receive the return. On reaching enemy territory, he could finish venomously - as he proved with a hat-trick against West Ham in 1962- and another potent weapon was a prodigiously long throw.

Addicted as he was to winning at everything - Dave would pour his entire being into a casual game of snooker - it followed that he was devastated in defeat, a situation he strove so hard to avoid that in some 40 cup finals at all playing levels, he never finished on the losing side. Such unquenchable spirit was never more evident than in recovery from a twice-broken left leg -the first fracture came in a clash with Noel Cantwell in a European tie at Old Trafford in December 1963, the second nine months later on his comeback against Shrewsbury reserves. Such calamity would have ended the career of lesser men; in his case, it merely added to the aura of indestructibility that had enveloped him since his indomitable contribution to Tottenham's early-sixties triumphs. Yet, unthinkably now, the Scottish international might never have arrived at the Lane. In March 1959, Bill Nicholson had been making overtures to Swansea's Mel Charles, and had the Welshman not opted for Arsenal he would almost certainly have joined Tottenham instead of Dave. Later Bill maintained that it was Mackay he wanted all along, and was delighted to pay Hearts ?ú32,000 for his signature.

Come the mid-sixties, Dave had taken over as skipper and, his mastery over ball and men undimmed, led Spurs to FA Cup Final victory in 1967. By then, he was operating in a mainly defensive role but the earlier years of midfield effort had exacted a toll and injuries became more frequent. Perhaps, too, he needed a new challenge and he found it at Derby, whom he joined for ?ú5,000 {a reduced fee in recognition of his services) in July 1968. Under Brian Clough he played masterfully alongside centre-half Roy McFarland and in his first season helped the Rams lift the Second Division title, as well as sharing the Footballer of the Year award with Emirates Marketing Project's Tony Book. Success in management followed, including a Championship at Derby, but it is to his fabulous achievements as a Spur that Dave owes his undying reputation. Nicholson called him his best signing, and he has been compared to the great Duncan Edwards. Nothing more need be said.

Please get well soon Dave [-o<
 
Southcote Spur said:
For those younger members, who might doubt why the old gits say he is a legend, I have found this site on the "interweb" www.davemackayclubties.co.uk

Dave Mackay

The stature of Dave Mackay in Tottenham folklore is vast and indisputable; indeed, to imagine Spurs' great sixties side without the vibrant Scot is to picture the Huns without Attila or the Alamo without Davy Crockett. Yet while it is right that so much is made of Dave's dynamic, warrior-like qualities - many have written that if Blanchflower was the brains of the team, Mackay was its heart - there is a danger of under-selling his sheer, unadulterated all-round talent.

In fact, his control was second to none, he was the cleanest striker of a ball at the club and he passed with the utmost precision. And how the mighty left-half reveled in his skill; in training he would astonish team-mates by volleying continuously against a wall from ten or even 15 yards - anyone who doubts the difficulty of this trick should attempt it for themselves - and later, as Spurs captain, he would run on to the pitch, kick the ball high in the air, then catch it infallibly on his instep, a subtle form of intimidation that demanded of his opponents. 'Can you do that?'

All this is not to say, of course, that the traditional image of Dave Mackay is a myth. Despite standing just 5ft 8in, he exerted an awesome physical presence, muscular thighs and a barn-door of a chest topped by features that were positively piratical. The man tackled like a granite avalanche, exuding a passionate will to win and apparently consumed by a devilish, ruthless relish for his work. Colleagues leapt to do his bidding as he drove them on, invariably by stirring personal example, often by melodramatic gesture and abrasive Caledonian invective. Though lacking in outright pace, he bustled tirelessly between attack and defence, typically winning the ball, flicking a pass, then surging forward to receive the return. On reaching enemy territory, he could finish venomously - as he proved with a hat-trick against West Ham in 1962- and another potent weapon was a prodigiously long throw.

Addicted as he was to winning at everything - Dave would pour his entire being into a casual game of snooker - it followed that he was devastated in defeat, a situation he strove so hard to avoid that in some 40 cup finals at all playing levels, he never finished on the losing side. Such unquenchable spirit was never more evident than in recovery from a twice-broken left leg -the first fracture came in a clash with Noel Cantwell in a European tie at Old Trafford in December 1963, the second nine months later on his comeback against Shrewsbury reserves. Such calamity would have ended the career of lesser men; in his case, it merely added to the aura of indestructibility that had enveloped him since his indomitable contribution to Tottenham's early-sixties triumphs. Yet, unthinkably now, the Scottish international might never have arrived at the Lane. In March 1959, Bill Nicholson had been making overtures to Swansea's Mel Charles, and had the Welshman not opted for Arsenal he would almost certainly have joined Tottenham instead of Dave. Later Bill maintained that it was Mackay he wanted all along, and was delighted to pay Hearts ?ú32,000 for his signature.

Come the mid-sixties, Dave had taken over as skipper and, his mastery over ball and men undimmed, led Spurs to FA Cup Final victory in 1967. By then, he was operating in a mainly defensive role but the earlier years of midfield effort had exacted a toll and injuries became more frequent. Perhaps, too, he needed a new challenge and he found it at Derby, whom he joined for ?ú5,000 {a reduced fee in recognition of his services) in July 1968. Under Brian Clough he played masterfully alongside centre-half Roy McFarland and in his first season helped the Rams lift the Second Division title, as well as sharing the Footballer of the Year award with Emirates Marketing Project's Tony Book. Success in management followed, including a Championship at Derby, but it is to his fabulous achievements as a Spur that Dave owes his undying reputation. Nicholson called him his best signing, and he has been compared to the great Duncan Edwards. Nothing more need be said.

Please get well soon Dave [-o<
Click to expand...

Stirring stuff and very much how I remember him. That extraordinary barrel chest, the like of which we have not seen ever since, that utter invincibility in the tackle and sheer indomitability that more than any other inspired his colleagues to the very greatest heights, these are the qualities that implanted an indelible imprint on my memory.
 
Never seen the guy play, but I'll always remember this picture;

dave_mackay.jpg


Get well soon, mate!
 
Can but hope that we sign a great leader like McKay to inspire our talented squad to glory...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1106938940555182080

The manager – Bill Nicholson

I must select Dave Mackay as my best-ever signing. Not only did Mackay make such an enormous contribution on the field but his dynamic character was also a major influence in training, and everywhere he went and in everything he did. The effect on the other players was remarkable.

“In midfield for Tottenham, Mackay was a mighty player, powerful in the tackle and very fair. I will always remember the first day he arrived at our training ground after I bought him from Hearts. The other players were shaken by his commitment and drive. They looked at each other as if to say ‘what’s happening here?’ At the time, we had a collection of seasoned professionals, most of them internationals, and Mackay was able to stir them up. He brought a new surge into every aspect of club life, particularly in training.

“Mackay would have been my first choice as captain, except we already had a great one in Danny Blanchflower. When Blanchflower retired, Mackay took over for a while. He inspired and stimulated the team. There was no doubt we had a first-rate team before he arrived, but he seemed to provide an extra spark and give added momentum. Mackay probably did more than anyone to forge a team capable of winning the Double.”

The team-mate – Cliff Jones

“When people ask me about the double team I always say that the most influential player I ever played with was Dave Mackay. Bill Nicholson went up to Scotland in 1959, Hearts had won everything and one of the main reasons for that was Dave Mackay. Bill Nick signed Mackay and he brought that will to win, that commitment and we took off from that moment.

“We were a top, top side but if we lacked anything, it was that added desire, a will to win, however you want to describe it. We really took off when Dave arrived. He was one of the biggest reasons why we were so successful in those glory days. Bill Nicholson was the main man, of course. On the field of play, Danny Blanchflower, our captain, took over. He made decisions on the pitch. But the engine room was Mackay. He was a born winner.

https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/march/60-years-ago-dave-mackay-signs/
 
SteveAWOL said:
Can but hope that we sign a great leader like McKay to inspire our talented squad to glory...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1106938940555182080

The manager – Bill Nicholson

I must select Dave Mackay as my best-ever signing. Not only did Mackay make such an enormous contribution on the field but his dynamic character was also a major influence in training, and everywhere he went and in everything he did. The effect on the other players was remarkable.

“In midfield for Tottenham, Mackay was a mighty player, powerful in the tackle and very fair. I will always remember the first day he arrived at our training ground after I bought him from Hearts. The other players were shaken by his commitment and drive. They looked at each other as if to say ‘what’s happening here?’ At the time, we had a collection of seasoned professionals, most of them internationals, and Mackay was able to stir them up. He bought a new surge into every aspect of club life, particularly in training.

“Mackay would have been my first choice as captain, except we already had a great one in Danny Blanchflower. When Blanchflower retired, Mackay took over for a while. He inspired and stimulated the team. There was no doubt we had a first-rate team before he arrived, but he seemed to provide an extra spark and give added momentum. Mackay probably did more than anyone to forge a team capable of winning the Double.”

The team-mate – Cliff Jones

“When people ask me about the double team I always say that the most influential player I ever played with was Dave Mackay. Bill Nicholson went up to Scotland in 1959, Hearts had won everything and one of the main reasons for that was Dave Mackay. Bill Nick signed Mackay and he bought that will to win, that commitment and we took off from that moment.

“We were a top, top side but if we lacked anything, it was that added desire, a will to win, however you want to describe it. We really took off when Dave arrived. He was one of the biggest reasons why we were so successful in those glory days. Bill Nicholson was the main man, of course. On the field of play, Danny Blanchflower, our captain, took over. He made decisions on the pitch. But the engine room was Mackay. He was a born winner.

https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/march/60-years-ago-dave-mackay-signs/
Click to expand...
Cliff Jones describing a time that sounds just like now.............2019 Dave Mackay where are you??
 
Unfortunately there is no one quite like Mackay in today's game. A dominant personality with charisma and leadership who can infuse into the team a collective belief and resolution capable of overcoming better teams with downright bloody-mindedness.
 
My Doctor I discovered is a spurs fan. I asked him a few weeks ago if he thought we had a chance to win the Prem. When I asked why he thought we could not win it...he said because we did not have a leader..Well we were well up there at that point,only a game or so behind and have now completely collapsed. Mackay comes to mind when you think of a leader and that I think is part of our problem as well ...no leader or leaders!
Mackay was the best player I ever saw play for Spurs and he had his leg deliberately broken to stop that fine early sixties side. The nearest we have had at Spurs to leaders were Graham Roberts, Ozzie Ardiles and funnily enough Paul Gascoigne ...IMO
 
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