Dyson at 80 - happy birthday Terry!

Happy birthday to one of our all-time greats, Terry Dyson, who turns 80 today (Saturday, November 29).

Terry was a key member of our double-wining side of 1960-61 and scored in the final as we famously claimed the league championship and the FA Cup.

He played 47 of our 49 matches that season and weighed in with 17 goals.

Son of jockey 'Ginger' Dyson, Terry signed professional forms at the Lane in 1954. An out and out winger, he spent his early days as understudy to George Robb and Terry Medwin, a theme of his time at the club.

Indeed, following Robb's retirement, the arrival of Cliff Jones appeared to cut his chances further but, despite huge interest, Bill Nicholson made sure Terry stayed at the club.

A fans favourite with his tenacious style, Terry battled it out again with Medwin before the Welshman’s enforced retirement saw him become a regular again.

And he delivered in style on the biggest stage again in 1963 when he netted twice in our 5-1 European Cup Winners Cup Final triumph over Atletico Madrid, becoming the first British team to lift a European trophy.

Below: Terry, far right, with his double-winning team-mates

After playing 209 games for us and scoring 55 goals, Terry moved to Fulham in 1965 and had spells at Colchester, Guildford City and Wealdstone before managerial stints at Kingsbury, Wingate and assistant at Dagenham.

Writing in his autobiography, Bill Nicholson said this of the Yorkshire terrier.

“Terry Dyson, at five feet 3 inches the smallest man in the club, was a player who was willing to run for 90 minutes.

“He was tremendously enthusiastic and never let himself be bullied out of a game.

“If I had to nominate a player who had the attitude I wanted, it was Terry. He needed no motivation.”

Praise indeed.

Have a great day, Terry!