Ron's lasting legacy

Cliff Jones today paid tribute to his friend and team mate Ron Henry, describing our former Double-winning left-back as a man “who worked hard and always gave 100 per cent in all aspects of his life.”

Cliff was speaking at Ron’s funeral, not far from Ron’s home in Redbourn, which was also attended by their playing colleagues Terry Dyson, Peter Baker and Jimmy Greaves. Other former players there to pay their respects included Glenn Hoddle, Pat Jennings, Phil Beal, John Pratt, Mark Falco, Paul Allen, Terry Gibson and Dennis Bond plus ex-manager Peter Shreeves.

Added Cliff: “Ron Henry spent all of his football life with Tottenham – as a player and then as a coach; passing on his love of the game and the club to young players. How fortunate they were.

“I joined Spurs in 1958 and playing left-back at the time was Mel Hopkins, a good friend of mine and fellow Welsh international. A brilliant full-back. Ron accepted the position, never whined or moaned; just got on with doing his job.

“Then when Mel suffered injury playing for Wales, Ron stepped into the left-back position and made it his own. He was a very important part of that great Tottenham side of the 60s, along with fellow full-back Peter Baker, who were the unsung heroes of that brilliant Spurs team.

“Ron was an ever-present during the glory years; a fit, strong, no-nonsense character – you only had to experience his handshake to realise that!

“He scored just the one goal – a 35-yard screamer against Manchester United in 1965. And if you had a spare half hour – or better still, an hour – he would tell you all about it!

“Ron played just one game for England, never getting another chance. But he never let that bother him and continued to turn in top class performances for Spurs. For many years he coached the club’s young players where his honesty and directness proved of great benefit.

“A fine man of whom we are all very proud. Farewell my friend.”