1961 - Spurs' double year

Click on the dates above for a tour around some of the greatest FA Cup finals in sporting history.

Spurs became the first team in the 20th century to achieve the treasured League and FA Cup double and few doubted their claim of being the finest team in the land.

But, though this was a classic occasion, it was not a classic game.

Leicester fought defiantly, despite being effectively reduced to 10 men because of an injury to right-back Len Chalmers, and Spurs lacked their usual fluidity on a dull and dreary May afternoon.

Blanchflower celebrates clinching the double

Bill Nicholson conceded afterwards that he was frustrated not to have seen his side play out their final hour-and-a-half with their usual style, but they remained worthy winners.

Leicester frustrated Spurs in the early exchanges but when Chalmers was injured in a tackle with Les Allen, they found themselves competing on an uneven playing field.

Cliff Jones had a goal disallowed for offside on 38 minutes and Spurs were growing visibly frustrated when England striker Bobby Smith finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half.

Fifteen minutes from time, Smith turned provider as his cross was headed home at the far post by Terry Dyson.

Exhausted Leicester manfully formed a guard of honour for the all-conquering Spurs at the final whistle, but Danny Blanchflower's side innocently missed the gesture as they were ushered away for a wave of TV interviews.

1961 FA Cup final
Tottenham 2-0 Leicester
Scorers: Smith 66, Dyson 75
HT: 0-0
Att: 100,000