Eddie Baily

Club career

Baily joined Tottenham Hotspur as a 14-year-old in 1938, succeeding in the club's youth set-up. He played cricket for the Essex County Cricket Club Second XI and found work at a printing company and a stock brokerage firm. During World War II, he served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and saw service in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. After the war he signed with Chelsea, but quickly left Stamford Bridge for Tottenham Hotspur after a chance encounter with Jimmy Anderson. He debuted as an amateur on 19 January 1947 against West Bromwich Albion. His footballing skills flourished under new manager Arthur Rowe who was developing his push and run side which at the time was challenging for promotion to the First Division. He formed a good understanding with Les Medley on the left, and was a key player in the side that won the Second Division title in 1949–50. "Spurs" continued to win games, and were crowned champions of England in 1950–51, finishing four points ahead of second place Manchester United. In 1951–52, the situation reversed, as "Spurs" finished runners-up, four points behind United. On 2 April 1952, in a match against Huddersfield Town at White Hart Lane, Baily caused controversy after he took a corner kick by hitting the ball against the referee, before crossing it into the box for Len Duquemin to score the winning goal. After a tenth-place finish in 1952–53, Tottenham continued to slide down the table, and battled just above the relegation…

In October 1963 he returned to Tottenham Hotspur to become the assistant manager under Bill Nicholson, and remained with him until Nicholson departed in August 1974, Baily also quit White Hart Lane the following month. He was described as a "stern taskmaster". He scouted for Chelsea and was also a P.E. teacher at Bishop Stopford's School at Enfield before joining West Ham United as chief scout. He was responsible for bringing, among others, future West Ham and England player, Alan Devonshire to Upton Park. Following 16 years of service, he had a testimonial match in 1993 between "Spurs" and Enfield on the day that Alan Sugar sacked Terry Venables as manager of "Spurs", and a large crowd turned up to protest against the sacking.

Club statistics

International statistics

Edward Francis Baily was born on 6 August 1925 in Clapton, London. He died on 13 October 2010 at Welwyn Garden City after a short illness. He was survived by wife, Elsie (married December 1952), son, Graham and daughter, Jane.