Dave Mackay dead: Ex-Tottenham striker Gary Lineker and Stan Collymore among those to pay tribute to former Spurs captain
Mackay passed away on Monday at a hospital in Nottingham and will be fondly remembered for his success at White Hart Lane
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tributes from the sporting world have been paid to former Tottenham and Scotland midfielder Dave Mackay after he died at a hospital in Nottingham at the age of 80.
Mackay was most famous for being part of the 1961 Spurs side that won the double, winning the English top flight and the FA Cup in the 1960-61 season - becoming the first side to do so.
He earned 22 caps for his country, having started his career with Hearts in 1953, where he captained the Edinburgh club to the Scottish League title in the 1957-58 season before heading to England.
"We were saddened to hear of the death of our former captain Dave Mackay who passed away at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, this evening (Monday, March 2). He was 80," a statement on Tottenham's website read.
"He was a superb player who possessed all the technique, passing ability and talent to be the complete footballer," the statement continued.
"He was the heart-beat of our 1961 'Double' side, was then a key member of the team that retained the FA Cup the following season and, although injury kept him out of our 1963 European Cup Winners' Cup final triumph, he had played a vital role in getting us there.
"He formed a marvellous midfield combination with Danny Blanchflower and, when the Northern Ireland international left us in 1964, Mackay took over as Spurs captain and led us to another FA Cup triumph in 1967. He twice broke the same leg in our cause but, each time, came back stronger than ever."
Mackay left Tottenham to join Derby in 1968 and helped Brian Clough's side win promotion to the First Division the following year before taking up a player-manager role at Swindon Town in 1971.
A year later Mackay left the Robins to manage Nottingham Forest for a brief spell before succeeding Clough as Derby manager in 1973, with the Rams winning the First Division title in 1975.
Hearts also paid tribute to Mackay, who won four trophies in six years with the Tynecastle side.
"Heart of Midlothian FC was deeply saddened to learn of the death of legend Dave Mackay earlier this evening," a statement on the Scottish Championship club's website read.
"Dave lost his long battle with illness at the age of 80 with his family at his bedside in Nottingham.
"A fearless defender regarded as the club's greatest-ever player, Dave won the league title, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup (twice) with Hearts before going on to star for Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County.
"Our sincerest condolences go to his family at this extremely sad time."
Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker posted on 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."
Fellow ex-professional footballer Stan Collymore added: "One of the great British players of all time,a true 'Captain, leader, legend'."
Walsall, whom Mackay managed from March 1977 to August 1978, said: "Former Walsall FC manager, Dave Mackay, has passed away at the age of 80. Our thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. RIP."
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments