Happy 80th, Maurice!

Happy 80th birthday today to Maurice Norman, double-winner and defensive cornerstone of our all-conquering team of the early 1960s.

Born in Norfolk on May 8, 1934, Maurice joined us from Norwich City in November, 1955 and went on to make 411 appearances in all competitions.

He is one of only 10 players in the club's history to have started over 400 matches for us and stands 11th in our list of all-time appearance makers behind John Pratt, who started 381 of his 415 matches.

Maurice played a key role as Bill Nicholson's men completed the championship and FA Cup double in 1961, reached the semi-finals of the European Cup and retained the FA Cup in 1962 and then won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

He was also a member of England's World Cup squad in 1958 before finally earning his first cap in 1962 and then making it to the 1962 finals in Chile.

Unfortunately, Maurice suffered a broken leg aged just 31 in November, 1965 and despite a two-year fight to regain full fitness, he didn't play for us again.

We wish Maurice all the best on this special day.

Look out for special feature - Maurice at 80 - talking about his life and times with both Spurs and England - coming soon...

Below - Maurice, right, holds skipper Danny Blanchflower aloft with Bobby Smith after our FA Cup win in 1962...