TOTTENHAM Hotspur legend and former Heybridge Swifts manager Tony Marchi died last Tuesday at the age of 89.

A versatile wing half who could play on either flank, Marchi was born a stone’s throw from White Hart Lane and came to Tottenham’s attention when he picked up England Schoolboy international honours.

Marchi signed for Spurs in July 1948 and made his debut aged 17, signing professional forms in 1950.

He spent two seasons in Italy, playing for Lanerossi in the 1957-58 season after a deal with Juventus fell through.

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He joined Torino for the following season before returning to Spurs to feature in the team that completed the League and FA Cup Double in 1960-61.

Marchi was a versatile half-back who featured in Spurs forays into Europe.

He won a 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup medal after Spurs beat Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the final.

Marchi left Spurs in 1965 to manage Cambridge City, Northampton Town and then Heybridge Swifts from July 1970 to April 1972, overseeing the transition from the Essex & Suffolk Border League to being founder members of the Essex Senior League.

After retiring from football, Marchi ran a wallpaper shop in Maldon and played for Maldon Cricket Club.

He also managed Maldon St Marys for ten seasons.

In 2018 at the age of 85 Tony finally received a winner’s medal in recognition of his part in Spurs' 1961 Football League title success, presented to him at his Maldon home by former Double-winning team-mates Cliff Jones and Terry Dyson.

Heybridge Swfits expressed its condolences to Tony's family last week.

A tribute from the club said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends and players who counted him as one of their teammates."

As a mark of respect after Tony's death, Spurs players wore black armbands during Sunday’s Premier League home match against West Ham United, with a moment’s applause observed before kick-off.

In a tribute to Tony, a spokesman for Tottenham Hotspur said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Tony Marchi.

"We extend our condolences to Tony’s wife Marie, their sons Terry and Peter and their families at this sad time."

Northampton Town Football Club also expressed it was saddened to learn of the passing of its former manager.

A spokesman said: "We send our sincerest condolences to Tony's family and friends. #OnceACobblerAlwaysACobbler."