Alan Gilzean

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gilzean began his career with Coupar Angus Juniors, signed provisional forms with Dundee in January 1956, and turned professional in February 1957. He made his competitive debut for Dundee in August 1959, scoring 169 goals in 190 top-flight appearances. At Tottenham, he changed his style from main goalscorer to an intelligent and creative forward, forming partnerships with Jimmy Greaves and later Martin Chivers. He earned the moniker 'The King of White Hart Lane' and was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame in 2013.

In Their Own Story

A notable match he was involved in was the 4th round FA Cup in 1966 match against Burnley when he scored a hat-trick, and won the game 4–3 with a late goal. Many Tottenham supporters who watched him play in the 60's and 70's have compared 21st-century Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov to Gilzean. Greaves described Gilzean as the finest player he ever played with and as a "blood brother".

Reader's Guide

Gilzean was a prolific goalscorer at Dundee, but at Tottenham he adapted his game to become a creative forward while still scoring. He was a natural header of the ball with great technique. Jimmy Greaves called him the finest player he ever played with and a 'blood brother'.

Did You Know?

• Gilzean scored a hat-trick in the 4th round FA Cup match against Burnley in 1966, winning the game 4–3 with a late goal.
• He played for Scotland 22 times, scoring 12 goals between November 1963 and April 1971.
• After retiring, he managed Stevenage Athletic for one season from 1975 to 1976.
• Gilzean stated while playing that he disliked football and had no intention of furthering his career after playing.