Spurs stories | Cliff Jones, 10 years of United memories, 1958-68

Cliff Jones, 88, won five major trophies, including the double in 1960/61, in 10 years and 378 appearances for Spurs between 1958-68. He remains fifth in our all-time goalscoring list with 159 goals.

His first appearance for Spurs against Manchester United was just eight games into his glorious spell at the Club in April, 1958. Ten years later, he scored the last of his 159 goals in his last appearance for us, against United, the team that in those 10 years had recovered from the devastating Munich Disaster to win the European Cup just months earlier.

Cliff played a key role in our league championship/FA Cup success of 1960/61, retaining the FA Cup in 1962 and becoming the first British team to win a European trophy with the Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1963. He added another FA Cup in 1967.

United rebuilt under Sir Matt Busby with the ‘United Trinity’ of George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law providing the platform for the FA Cup in 1963 and First Division titles in 1965 and 1967. Then, in May, 1968, they became the first English team to win the European Cup with a 4-1 win against Benfica at Wembley.

Cliff completed his personal circle against United in the perfect way - a late equaliser against the European champions at the Lane on October 9, 1968. Days after, he joined Fulham.

Here are his memories of those 10 years facing United and some of those greats in Red, including arguably the player who would have been the greatest of them all, Duncan Edwards, had he not tragically died that night in Munich with the footballing world at his feet, aged just 21.

Duncan Edwards and the 'Busby Babes'

Cliff never lined-up against the 'Busby Babes' but he fondly recalls the days he played alongside a number of their stars - including their shining light, Duncan Edwards. Edwards was the player of his generation - potentially the best in the world - and only 21 when he was one of eight United players tragically killed in the Munich Air Disaster of February, 1958. The midfielder was the youngest player to play in the First Division when he made is debut for United aged 16 years, 154 days in 1953. He made his full England debut April, 1955 aged 18 years, 183 days - a record that stood until Michael Owen's debut in 1998. In just five years, Edwards made 177 appearances for United and helped them win back-to-back titles in 1956 and 1957. He also won 18 England caps, scoring five goals.

"I didn’t play against the Busby Babes but I played with a lot of those players for the British Army team, the likes of Bobby Charlton, Eddie Colman and, of course, Duncan Edwards. Dave Mackay was also in that team as well, we had quite a side!" said Cliff. "Duncan had everything, the skill, the physique, the commitment, he was just a great, great player. Bobby Charlton always said the only player he ever felt in awe of during his career was Duncan Edwards. That’s coming from the great Bobby Charlton, who many see as the greatest player himself! I'm sure he would have gone on to become the best player in the world, what a tragedy that he passed away aged just 21."

The great games

“The games against United were always special,” said Cliff. "I had so many memorable matches against them and generally, they used to get the better of us at Old Trafford and we’d do well against them at White Hart Lane. They had a fantastic team with some of the greats of the game, Best, Law, Charlton and I’m sure anyone who was at some of those games in the 1960s will never forget them.”

03.09.1960 - Spurs 4-1 United - White Hart Lane
Our fifth straight win at the start of the double season as two goals each from Les Allen and Bobby Smith put United to the sword.

24.10.1962 - Spurs 6-2 United - White Hart Lane
Jimmy Greaves led the way with a hat-trick, Terry Medwin scored twice and Cliff was also on target in this fantastic win. We went on to score 111 goals in 42 games but finished runners-up to Everton in Division One.

10.12.1963 - United 4-1 Spurs - Old Trafford
Our defence of the European Cup Winners’ Cup fell at the first hurdle against United, the FA Cup winners. It was a night few Spurs fans will forget as Dave Mackay broke his leg and the 10 men - leading 2-0 from the first leg - battled gamely until the end, Bobby Charlton eventually breaking our hearts with a late fourth that took United through.

16.10.1965 - Spurs 5-1 United - White Hart Lane
United were reigning champions but were taken apart at the Lane in a game remembered for a wonderful goal by Jimmy Greaves. It was our third that day as we kept possession before switching the ball from back to front, Dave Mackay fed Greaves who turned and simply exploded into the box, leaving three players in his wake before skipping around Pat Dunne and slotting home. Neil Johnson, Eddie Clayton, Alan Gilzean and Jimmy Robertson also scored.

12.08.1967 - Spurs 3-3 United - Old Trafford
United won the league in 1966-67, we won the FA Cup in 1967 and so we met in the Charity Shield – the match where Pat Jennings scored! Big Pat was looking for Alan Gilzean but his huge clearance sailed past the striker, bounced over Alex Stepney and nestled into the back of the net.

Watch - Greavsie's stunner against United, 1965

The 'United Trinity' - Best, Law, Charlton

Cliff on Sir Bobby Charlton: “Bobby never seemed to get into the penalty box and I can barely remember him scoring a header - apart from the European Cup Final in 1968 of course! His goals were always absolute screamers - left foot, right foot, he would rip them into the net. He was such a stylish player as well, Bobby. He made the game look easy. He had great stamina, pace and skill, he had the lot really.”

Cliff on George Best: “I can remember playing against Northern Ireland for Wales at the Vetch Field, Swansea in 1964. In goal that day for Northern Ireland, making his debut, was Pat Jennings and playing outside right, George Best. At one point, Pat caught the ball one-handed and then volleyed it 50 yards straight to George, who went through our defence and set-up the third goal! Wow! They beat us 3-2 that day. George, he had it all. It’s all been said about him and I can’t really add any more. He had the commitment, desire and all the skill in the world but he was so brave as well, George took some tackles but always came back for more.”

Cliff on Denis Law: “You just knew anytime the ball went into the box, Denis would be right there on the scene. He was great in the air, fearless, and scored with both feet. He was the complete player. At his peak, he was one of the best strikers in the world, especially when he played for Scotland. Dave Mackay was the same when he pulled on that Scottish jersey.”

Cliff's final curtain

On 9 October, 1968, Cliff pulled on the white shirt for the 378th and final time in a First Division clash against the newly-crowned European champions.

“It was on a Wednesday night under the lights at the Lane, we drew 2-2 and I scored the equaliser,” said Cliff. “The following morning, I was transferred to Fulham as Bobby Robson’s first signing, he’d just taken over as manager. It was almost the final kick of the game and therefore just about my last kick as a Tottenham player. Alex Stepney was in goal for United and I smashed it past him. I'd had some great games against United down the years but that's the one I most remember. It was quite an emotional night as I’d had 10 wonderful years at Spurs. I was so pleased that it ended that way - what a way to go!"