MX23RW : Monday, May 11 02:05:11| >> :120:14230:14230:

On this day: Bill Nicholson's Tottenham clinch first Double of 20th century

On this day: Bill Nicholson's Tottenham clinch first Double of 20th century
© Reuters
Spurs became the first team in the 20th century to win the Division One title and FA Cup in the same year.

"The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom."

Danny Blanchflower's famous words remain stitched into the fabric at Tottenham, even if they have been unable to scale the heights reached in the decades since.

Blanchflower was captain fantastic during the 1960-61 season as Spurs, coached by the incomparable Bill Nicholson, became the first team in the 20th century to complete the double.

Tottenham manager Bill Nicholson and captain Danny Blanchflower during a training session at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Tottenham manager Bill Nicholson and captain Danny Blanchflower during a training session at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (PA)

Preston and Aston Villa achieved the feat during the 1800s when competition was less intense and regular, but swashbuckling Spurs became the first side in the modern era to win the First Division and FA Cup in the same season.

Tottenham sealed the league with a 2-1 triumph against Sheffield Wednesday on April 17, 1961 during a free-scoring campaign that saw them equal Arsenal's record 66-point tally set in 1931.

And on this day 59 years ago, Spurs headed to Wembley to take on Leicester in the FA Cup for a shot at the double.

Thousands of fans packed into Wembley for the FA Cup final between Tottenham and Leicester
Thousands of fans packed into Wembley for the FA Cup final between Tottenham and Leicester (PA)

City were hit by an early injury to right-back Len Chalmers, but Nicholson's men had to dig deep to triumph.

It took until the second half for Bobby Smith to break the deadlock, with Terry Dyson sealing a 2-0 win and Tottenham's place in the history books.

Spurs enjoyed more success in the years to come but have yet to win the league title again.

ID:398576:
Share this article now:
Alex Ferguson pictured on his final game in charge of Manchester United on May 19, 2013
Read Next:
How every PL season would have finished after gameweek 29: 2010-11
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29271166214582
2Manchester CityMan City28183768313757
3Leicester CityLeicester29165858283053
4Chelsea29146951391248
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd29129844301445
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29101364134743
7Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd28111073025543
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs29118104740741
9Arsenal2891364036440
10Burnley29116123440-639
11Crystal Palace29109102632-639
12Everton29107123746-937
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2998122541-1635
14Southampton29104153552-1734
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29611123240-829
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2976163550-1527
17Watford2969142744-1727
18Bournemouth2976162947-1827
19Aston Villa2874173456-2225
20Norwich CityNorwich2956182552-2721

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!