White was killed by lightning at the age of only 27 while sheltering under a tree during a thunderstorm at Crews Hill golf course, Enfield, in July 1964.
I just missed-out on seeing him play, as my first game at the Lane was in 1966.
But my Dad & Grandfather both said he was a simply amazing player.
It makes you wonder what Spurs might have achieved as a club during the mid and late 1960s if he was still playing for us.
What made him special is he was so graceful to watch. Only one player, Hoddle has emulated him since. You knew he was always looking for the intelligent pass or run; a quick one-two with Blanchflower; a deft lob over the defence; a delicate lay off into the path of Jones or an exquisitely measured cross onto the head of Bobby Smith.
Truly the Ghost of WHL.
Same.
My old dad loved him as a player
That ball looks like a fudging medicine ball. Im sure they were pretty heavy in those days too which impresses me more about these older players?
That ball looks like a fudging medicine ball. Im sure they were pretty heavy in those days too which impresses me more about these older players?
He was still in the army when he signed for Spurs
Rob White's book is a really great read. When Bill Nic called them all into the clubhouse to announce he'd died, Bill had to run to the toilet to cry as he couldn't let them see him crying
Many clubs backed away from signing White, as he was considered to slight to make it in first class football, but Bill Nicholson had contacts in the army (he was a fitness instructor during the War) and found-out that White was a cross-country champion.
This convinced Bill that White had the stamina needed for Spurs.
my Dad has been going to the Lane since the mid fifties and in his opinion, John White is the best player ever to wear the shirt. He must have been pretty bloody good. Just imagine if a player at the top of his game died in similar circumstances today.....
The nearest player to JW I have seen is Martin Peters, Peters used to score more goals and get into the box more though, they both had the same silky skills and effortless style, could pass the ball well with either foot and had good engines, Jones and White playing together was a joy to watch.
Yes, Peters was also known to "ghost" in un-seen to score a lot.
Great player, possibly not appreciated enough at times.
Ditto, my Dad says he was one of the best players he'd ever seen in a Spurs shirt.