On This Day – 21st July
Football lost a true great on this day back in 1964, when Tottenham’s John White lost his life in a freak accident.
He was sheltering under a tree from a storm midway through a round of golf at Crews Hill golf course in Enfield and was struck by lightning. He was only 27 years of age at the time of his death.
White was part of the side that won the League and Cup Double in the 1960/61 season, becoming the first side to do so in the 20th century. He scored 13 goals over the course of the league season from midfield.
Two seasons later, White was part of the Tottenham team who became the first English side to win a European trophy as they lifted the European Cup Winners Cup.
Tottenham fans referred to White as ‘The Ghost’ beause of his ability to appear in the opponent’s penalty area as if from nowhere. He started out at Tottenham as an inside-left before changing to an inside-right.
White made 22 appearances for Scotland between 1959 and 1964, scoring three times. He goals came against West Germany, Northern Ireland and Wales.
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