Robert Dennis Blanchflower was one of the most talented footballers of his era. A tactical genius, he captained Tottenham Hotspur to a League and Cup double and a European triumph, captained Northern Ireland to the World Cup Quarter Finals in 1958 and was Footballer of the Year in the same season (he was Footballer of the Year again in 1961). He was born on February 10th 1926 in Dunraven Park in the Bloomfield area, the son of conscientious, working class parents who ensured he worked hard at Ravenscroft Elementary School.

Danny played football for the Boys Brigade and, as a born organiser, set up ‘Bloomfield United’ on his own – the team played in junior leagues for some years. In 1940 Danny enrolled in a general education course at Belfast College of Technology and later gained a scholarship to study on a short course at the University of St Andrews – where he also took up golf.

After the war, in 1945, he joined Glentoran as a professional, joining Billy Bingham and Jimmy McIlroy at the Oval. After three years at the club, he joined Second Division Barnsley, where he stayed for two seasons before signing for Aston Villa, where he stayed until 1954. In December he joined Tottenham Hotspur, where he orchestrated the midfield. Spurs won the double in 1961, the FA Cup in 1962 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 – the first UK team to win in Europe.

Northern Ireland’s performance in 1958 was in no small part due to Blanchflower’s leadership. When his brother Jackie (or ‘Twiggy’, born 1933) was forced to quit football after the Munich air disaster, it made Danny even more determined to drive the team on.

In 1964, aged 38, Blanchflower’s injuries forced him to quit. Already a columnist, he continued to work for The Sunday Express. He also wrote for The Daily Mail and The New Statesman. Blanchflower managed Northern Ireland from 1976 to 1979 and also managed Chelsea for a season, but returned to journalism.

A private man, he was the first person to refuse This is Your Life an interview. He could be lively and genial, but on his own terms. Financial hardship was alleviated by a testimonial at White Hart Lane in 1990. By that time, however, Blanchflower was already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He died in a nursing home in Surrey on 9th December 1993.

Credited with inventing the modern free kick, Blanchflower was an original thinker. The recreation park in Sydenham, East Belfast was renamed in his honour.

An extract from the Appletree Press title Celebrated Citizens of Belfast by John Bradbury.