Marchi finally receives 1961 winners’ medal
Historic moment for ex-player
Fri 15 June 2018, 14:10|
Tottenham Hotspur
He was part of the squad of heroes that won the fabled Double in 1961 – and now Tony Marchi finally has a medal to show for his accomplishment.
A former Club captain in the mid-1950s, Tony was in the midst of his second spell in our colours when we lifted the First Division title and FA Cup at the end of the 1960-61 season, in what continues to be such a significant moment in our history.
The midfielder, who had grown up locally in Edmonton and come through the ranks under former manager Arthur Rowe before a two-year hiatus in Italy between 1957 and 1959, played six games in the league over the course of that historic campaign under Bill Nicholson.
At the time, only players who made 14 appearances or more were eligible for a winners’ medal under a Football League rule but now, some 57 years later and following a relaxation of that rule, the Club has moved to secure an authentic league winners' medal to ensure formal recognition for Tony’s achievement and contributions to our cause.
Now 85 years of age and one of our oldest surviving former players, Tony’s medal was supplied by the EFL after the Club made representations to the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), who were able to push through our request.
It was presented to him at his home in Maldon, Essex, on Wednesday by former Double-winning team-mates Cliff Jones and Terry Dyson, both 83. Club Historian John Fennelly was also in attendance to preside over the historic moment.
Club Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We remain rightly and justly proud of our rich history and heritage as a Club. The Double in 1961 represents a hugely important milestone in our story so far and we continue to salute all those who played their part in this fantastic achievement. I am delighted that we have been able to secure a deserved winners’ medal for Tony Marchi, via the Professional Footballers’ Association and the EFL, to formally reward him for the part he played in our Double success. We should like to thank Gordon Taylor at the PFA for helping us to make this happen.”
Tony, who was also a member of our European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning side in 1963, said: “I was very, very surprised indeed when I heard the news that Tottenham had done this for me. I was choked at the time not to receive a medal having played in that marvellous side but to now have one after all this time is wonderful. The message from Spurs came right out of the blue. To hear of the effort they put in on my behalf to make it all happen and for them to pay me this tribute is just superb. I am so grateful to all concerned and will always cherish my medal.
“It was great to see Cliff and Terry again too, and to share so many memories with them of a special period in my career. It brought back lovely memories of a great side, a great season and a great time in the history of Spurs. I was always so proud of having played a part in that success and receiving this medal means the world to me on so many different levels.”
Terry said: “Tony was so good that he could have walked into any other side at the time. But he was Spurs through and through and brought so much to the side when called upon. He had real quality, versatility and commitment. He fully deserves this honour.”
Cliff added: “We had a very good side indeed and Tony certainly played his part because whenever he came in he never let us down. He understudied the likes of Danny Blanchflower and Dave Mackay, both such key elements of the team, but the biggest tribute I can pay Tony is that they were not missed when he was there. He was a top player as he showed when he took over from the injured Dave just before the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final and was superb.”
Earlier this year, the Tottenham Tribute Trust (TTT), a charity established by the Club that is dedicated to serving the needs of our former players, installed a stairlift at Tony’s home to aid him with mobility. Club Ambassador and legendary former captain Gary Mabbutt also paid a surprise visit to Tony in January to present him with a gift bag in recognition of his 85th birthday.
With the support of the PFA, the Club is now in the process of applying for a league winners’ medal for Frank Saul, our former forward who spent eight years in North London from 1960 and who made the first six of his 129 appearances in our colours during the Double-winning season.
