Spurs Legend - Bill Brown

Bill Brown (Goalkeeper) [1959 - 1967]

League App. 222

FA Cup 23

Europe 17

Scottish Int. App. 28

Bill Brown

For over thirty years, three goalkeepers dominated the goalkeeper's postion at Tottenham.  Ted Ditchburn was in possession from the post-war period until the late 1950s.  His successor was Bill Brown from 1959 and he was succeeded by Pat Jennings who held the position until 1976.

All three are worthy of the name 'great' but Bill Brown was present during the club's most successful period.  During those three years from 1960 to 1963, Bill Brown was rarely missing as Spurs won 'The Double' in 1960-61, retained the FA Cup in 1962 and also reached the semi-final of the European Cup and won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

Bill Brown was signed by Bill Nicholson in 1959 from Dundee as part of his re-building programme.  He had already won four Scottish caps, having had to wait as a reserve for Scotland on 22 occasions before finally making an appearance in June, 1958 in Scotland's last game of the World Cup against France.

Brown had joined Dundee in 1949 and helped them to victory in the Scottish League Cup Final in 1952.

Bill Brown was a very consistent goalkeeper and his calm presence was of great support to his defenders and he was an importsant member of the 'double' winning team.  He also proved his worth in Spurs' European matches.

During his final two years at Tottenham he shared the goalkeeping responsibilities with Pat Jennings and then in season 1966-67 when Bill Nicholson gave Jennings the opportunity to establish himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper, Bill Brown was transferred to Northampton Town for a nominal fee in recognition of his loyal service.

Brown remained at Northampton for the rest of the season and then went to Canada where he played for Toronto Falcons before settling in the country and setting up in business.

Bill Brown passed away in December, 2004 but will always be remembered as an outstanding goalkeeper who played a prominent part in Spurs' history.