Dave Mackay: Scotland and Tottenham legend dies aged 80
Last updated on .From the section Football
Former Tottenham, Derby, Hearts and Scotland midfielder Dave Mackay has died, aged 80.
He won 10 major honours as a player in British and European football.
The Edinburgh-born player also won 22 caps for his country and was named Footballer of the Year in both Scotland and England.
Paying tribute, Spurs said: "He was one of our greatest ever players and a man who never failed to inspire those around him."
After winning all three domestic honours in Scotland with Hearts, Mackay joined Spurs in 1959.
He helped the north London club become the first post-war team to achieve the Double of league and FA Cup in 1961, then won the FA Cup again in 1962 and 1967.
Spurs described him as "the heartbeat" of their Double-winning side and said he played a "vital role" in their 1963 European Cup Winners' Cup success despite missing the final through injury.
| Dave Mackay factfile |
|---|
| 1958: Captains Hearts to Scottish league title |
| 1959: Joins Tottenham from Hearts for £32,000 |
| 1961: Wins the league and FA Cup Double with Tottenham. He won two further FA Cups, in 1962 and 1967 |
| 1968: Sold to Derby County for £5,000, helping them gain promotion to the First Division in his first season |
| 1969: Named joint winner of the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award |
| 1971: Appointed player-manager of Swindon Town |
| 1972: Becomes Nottingham Forest manager |
| 1973: Succeeds Brian Clough as manager of Derby County |
| 1975: Leads Derby County to the league title |
| 1977-1995: Manages Walsall, Birmingham City and Doncaster, and a number of clubs in the Middle East |
| 2002: Made an inaugural inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame |
| 2015: Dies aged 80 |
Mackay joined Derby County in 1968 and was named joint Footballer of the Year the following season.
He helped his new side, managed by a young Brian Clough, to the Second Division title before a player-manager spell with Swindon Town.
Mackay then managed Nottingham Forest before succeeding Clough at Derby, leading the Rams to the First Division title in 1975.
He also managed Walsall, Doncaster and Birmingham as well as spending more than a decade leading sides in the Middle East.
The Scot was once described by Manchester United's George Best as the "hardest man I have ever played against".
A minute's applause will be held in honour of Mackay before Scotland's friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden Park on 25 March.
The world of football pays tribute
Former Tottenham manager David Pleat, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "He was a great man, inspirational. He was as tough as teak, led by example and was a wonderful leader of men.
"He represented everything that was wonderful about football in those days. He was a very polite, decent, humble and down-to-earth guy."
Former Derby captain Roy McFarland, talking to BBC Radio Derby: "The majority of pictures you see of Dave Mackay, he had his chest stuck out. That is how he played and that is how he lived his life.
"He had a tough legacy taking over as manager from Brian Clough, in terms of the atmosphere at the club, but he calmed and settled everyone down."
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland: "Dave Mackay was the perfect midfield player and he would have been worth an absolute fortune today.
"When you see players like Gareth Bale going to Real Madrid you wonder what Dave Mackay would've been worth in the present market."
Mackay's first professional club Hearts, with whom he won a Scottish league title, a Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups: "A fearless defender regarded as the club's greatest-ever player."
Mackay's former club Tottenham: "He was a superb player who possessed all the technique, passing ability and talent to be the complete footballer."
Derby County president and chief executive Sam Rush: "Dave Mackay is a legend at Derby County and his name will forever be etched into the history of the club for the fantastic contribution that he made, both as a player and a manager."
Former Tottenham and England striker Gary Linekeron Twitter: "Sorry to hear that Dave Mackay has passed away. He was a wonderful footballer, and a winner, both north and south of the border."
Former Tottenham midfielder Micky Hazardon Twitter: "Very sad news at the passing of one of our biggest and greatest legends Dave Mackay, a fantastic footballer and man."
Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Ray Clemenceon Twitter: "Sad day to see that the legend that was Dave Mackay passed away last night. Great man sadly missed."
