Terry Dyson

This page was originally created 24/07/03. Updated 25/6/25

Terry's mum and dad, Jessie and 'Ginger,' ran The Fleece in Malton. His dad had previously been a professional jockey. Terry attended Malton School as a boy from 1946-1952, and went on to play football for Tottenham Hotspur from 1955 to 1965. He made 209 appearances and scored 55 goals. During this time the team won the FA Cup in 1961, with Terry scoring the second of the two goals, as well as doing the doube that year. He missed the 1962 final, when Spurs won again, beating Burnley 3-0, but was in the team again in May 1963 when the team won the European cup, beating Atletico Madrid 5 - 1 in the Feyenoord stadium, and he was on the scoresheet again, scoring two goals.

Below are just two photos from the school archive, pus a friend's photo from Malton and Norton Memories, and an interview with Terry for the Maltonian magazine in 1961. There are many more photos on the internet which I have found, but sadly many of them have copyright issues and have been secured by the likes of Alamy and Getty Images for sale at excessive prices. .

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An interview printed in the July 1961 Maltonian (No. 116)

The editor referred to throughout will have been Mr Lloyd.

INTERVIEW WITH TERRY DYSON

There will be very few schools in the country that can claim among their former pupils a footballer who has won in the same season a Cup Winner's medal and a League Championship medal. We in Malton have taken a special pride in the unique achievements of Tottenham Hotspur because of the regular 'Place held in the side by our own Terry Dyson. Great was our joy indeed as, glued to our television screens, we saw an Old Maltonian give the pass for the goal that put the Spurs in the lead; and then, a little later, come leaping in from the wing to head the splendid goal that put the result beyond all doubt.

When Terry returned to Malton on holiday the editorial staff were quick to seek an interview and the following questions and answers were the outcome.

Editor: Mr. Dyson, may I begin by saying that throughout the last season we at M.G.S. have been following the fortunes of the 'Spurs' with very close attention; and that we were all completely delighted at the splendid performances you achieved. On behalf of all the readers please accept our heartiest congratulations.

Mr. Dyson: Thank you very much.

Editor: Would you begin by outlining your footballing career?

Mr. Dyson: I remember my first game for the School, the last game of the season, when I was in Form I. We drew 0-0. Mr. Rolls took games in those days and I owe a great deal to his coaching and advice. He it was who said I would make an outside-left, though I usually played at inside-left for the School, where I had more of the game. I stayed at school until I was 17, staying two years in the Fifth. In fact I was in the first group to take the new G.c.E. By this time I was playing for Norton. On leaving school, until I went in the Army for National Service, I played for Scarborough. The Army gave me my big chance, for whilst playing for Woolwich I was spotted by a Tottenham scout. In fact, I took over in that Army side from Ron Henry, who moved to left back, where he now plays for Spurs. On leaving the Army I signed for Tottenham and have been with them for six seasons. But it was only this season that I could keep a regular place in the first team, though I'd often played an occasional game.

Editor:Did you despair of winning a first team place?

Mr. Dyson: At times I was impatient and thought of transfer, especially when Spurs bought Cliff Jones. But as Spurs are a fine club to work for I was reluctant to leave.

Editor: How would you describe the Tottenham approach to the game?

Mr. Dyson: We always try to play good football; i.e. that everything we do should be thoughtful and constructive. We try to avoid wild passes. Above all, we think in terms of spaces; a player moves, takes an opponent with him and thus creates a space which can be used by another player. Of course, when near goal, we think rather of shots at goal and will always chance a shot when there's an opportunity, even if it causes a breakdown in attack.

Editor: How does this differ from the approach of other clubs?

Mr. Dyson: Many clubs have the same approach; for instance Manchester United. But others are more direct and robust in attack, such as Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday. Then many clubs have their own pet schemes, such as the deep-lying centre forward plan used by Manchester City.

Editor: Do you have pre-arranged plans for each match and for special kicks, etc?

Mr. Dyson: Certainly. These vary with our opponents. Then there are a number of set moves for free kicks and throws-in. Danny Blanchflower takes the kicks and we are all on our toes to see which of the different tricks he will use.

Editor: Your forwards always seem to be changing position. I noticed you and Cliff Jones swopped positions just after the kick-off at Wembley.

Mr. Dyson: Yes, we do this frequently. When one forward changes position the others automatically switch over to keep the line even across the field. We always try to keep in line, and we all come back in defence, not just the inside men. There is no goal scoring specialist, though of course George Smith got a lot more than anyone else. All the forwards got over double figures this season.

Editor: How many have you scored?

Mr. Dyson: Eighteen.

Editor: Would you call Spurs an attacking side?

Mr. Dyson: Definitely. The wing halves play up-field as much as possible and have scored several goals. Then our centre-half comes up for corners, where his height is very useful.

Editor: Looking back on the last season what was your toughest game?

Mr. Dyson: Probably the Cup tie at Sunderland, which we drew after a very tough match. The Roker Park crowd were a great help to the home side. We were glad when the whistle went.

Editor: There was a tremendous build up for the Cup Final and you had the disadvantage of being favourites. Did this worry you?

Mr. Dyson: Not very much. We tried to take no notice and to think only of the game. But of course our play wasn't at its best.

Editor: Fans will argue about the effect of the injury to a Leicester player for years. But what is your view?

Mr. Dyson: As you say, we can never know. Personally, I don't think it made any difference, but it was certainly very bad luck on Leicester.

Editor: What are your plans for the European Cup?

Mr. Dyson: We feel we have a very fair chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Then we shall be really up against it and shall have to change our tactics, particularly for the away game against clubs like Real Madrid, who are a fine attacking side. We shall have to try a more defensive game than we usually play. But the details haven't been worked out yet, of course.