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The DAVE MACKAY thread

Archibald&Crooks

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Feb 1, 2005
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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.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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?' [ar] [/ar][/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][al] [/al]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 £32,000 for his signature.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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 £5,000 {a reduced fee in recognition of his services) in July 1968. [ar] [/ar][/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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 Manchester City'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.[/FONT]​

Dave played for Spurs between 1959 and 1968 making 318 appearances and scoring 51 goals.
He won 22 caps for Scotland.​

Other honours​

Scottish League Cup 1954, 1958 (player) Scottish Cup 1956 (player) Scottish League championship 1957/58 (player) Division One championship 1960/61 (player), 1974/75 (manager) FA Cup 1961, 1962, 1967 (player) Division Two championship 1968/69 (player) FWA Footballer of the Year 1969​
 

spud

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2003
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I remember an interview (I think it was during our centenary season) when (Sir) Bill Nick said that Mackay was the catalyst who ignited our greatest team. He turned a collection of very good players into a team that became unstoppable.

Dave was, in my opinion, the greatest Spurs player. Ever. He was a colossus with an unshakeable will to win who led by example. Loved by teammates and feared by opponents in equal measure, he was a fearsome competitor who could back up his outstanding play with controlled, fair, aggression.

He was also a gentleman. The famous picture of his holding Bremner by the scruff of the neck illustrates his contempt for 'cheap shots'. Hard - very hard - but fair.

The great, the immortal, Dave Mackay.

My hero.
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
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@ A&C..

Somehow I have missed this thread until the first reponse by spud which caught my eye.
Thanks for another super article about one the all-time greats.

I'd love to see someone of his calibre in the side today, money couldn't buy a enigmatic leader like DM
 

doubledecker

New Member
Nov 26, 2004
920
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Another Spurs great that would walk into any best of Spurs team. He was feared by the opposition.I remember a famous photo of Dave picking up terrified tough guy Billy Bremner by his shirt and lifting him off the floor with one hand- the other fist was in Billy's face . Amazed though that he only won 22 caps for Scotland- was there a reason for that ?
 

pierreb

New Member
Dec 28, 2005
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Dave is my all time favourite Tottenham player. I first saw him play when I was 10 and it's true to say the way he played influenced the way I wanted to live my life - with the same passion, consummate skill, courage - I could go on. Thanks, Dave. 40 years later the mention of your name still brings a smile to my face.
 

beefy

New Member
Jul 19, 2005
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one of my most treasured items is a signed photo of the famous pic above,with him grabbing bremner.awsome player.
 

GDG

Old China Hand
Staff
Aug 25, 2004
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Just read his autobiography, "The Real Mackay", an excellent read - get someone to buy it for you for Christmas. There are very few players who have made more of an impact on every team they've played for than Dave Mackay.
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
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Just read his autobiography, "The Real Mackay", an excellent read - get someone to buy it for you for Christmas. There are very few players who have made more of an impact on every team they've played for than Dave Mackay.

I picked up a signed copy of that in WH Smith in Brent Cross, a great read from a great man.
 

orkneyspur

Northern Soul
Sep 9, 2004
2,466
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Magic. :bowdown:
Watched him play and he was a rock.
Met him last year at Harlow football club, where he had an evening with. Brilliant stories all night.
My dad's hero as well, which is good enough for me. :clap:
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
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Dave Mackay

Just been reading my local freebie paper about Alan Mullery's appearance at Cheshunt Football Club last week.

At the end of the article it says that Dave Mackay will be there
on the 8th of August, further details to follow.
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
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** BUMP**

Date as previous. 08.08.08

also to include Ralph Coates.

Tickets from Neville 07798836426

(I would just like to say I have nothing at all to do with this, the last time I set foot inside Cheshunt FC was about 17 years ago when my Son played and won a cup-final there)
 

Banjo

Member
May 29, 2005
778
10
:hello:

I tell you if we'd have the modern equivelants of Mullery and Mackay in our central midfield - we'd be :hump: laughin' to a league title!

:beer:
 

waresy

Well-Known Member
Mar 22, 2004
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nice.

I have a signed copy of his book, unfortunately though Dave wasnt there when I bought it.
 

mackay59

Banned
Jun 23, 2008
613
0
mullery and mackay in same breath ?

no.....mackay was different class...a true legend....an incredible inspiration and a great player who gave 100% in every game he played when many exulted contempories simply did not.
 

sundancer

Member
Apr 4, 2006
893
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Dave was the hardest player I have seen playing football, i have a picture of him holding up that little shit Bremner by the neck, and he was shiting himself.
 

mackay59

Banned
Jun 23, 2008
613
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yes hard...but a very good footballer too......his tough reputation outshone the fact he possessed skills few if any could match which is a shame really.
 

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
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yes hard...but a very good footballer too......his tough reputation outshone the fact he possessed skills few if any could match which is a shame really.

He was indeed (or so I here) every team needs their Dave Makay...and comming back from that injury too!! I know someone who was a young promasing youth player and that effectivly cut his cairrer short, before it even began, its been 2 years and he still cant walk strait
 
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