Morris Keston

I was saddened to learn recently of the passing of Morris Keston, Spurs fan supreme.

He is mentioned in not all together flattering terms in one of the best books written on football The Glory Game by Hunter Davies, a fly-on-the-dressing-room-wall account of the Spurs’ season of 1971/2. He is referred to as “a hanger on”.

He was disliked by the Tottenham board as, after the 1967 Cup Final victory over Chelsea, his party attracted more of the players than the official celebration dinner.

Yet Morris – like most such people – gave more to football than he took. He was the type to chair a testimonial committee and put his hand in his pocket if an event was under-subscribed. He was warm and generous with his time and money and a Spurs man through and through. The attendance of Terry Venables, Garth Crooks – whom he helped settle in London after moving from Stoke – and Pat Jennings at his funeral reflect the esteem in which he was held.

One of Morris’ lesser known legacies was he was supposedly the model for Morris Lazar a boxing contributor to that fine journal of boxing Round One. One of his observations on Randolph Turpin who beat Sugar Ray Robinson has passed into lore:

“Randolph Turpin never knew his father – and nor did I.”