Tommy Allison (1875 – 4 March 1961) was a Scottish footballer who played as a left-half in the English Football League for New Brighton Tower, and in the Southern League for Reading and West Ham United.[1]

Tommy Allison
Personal information
Date of birth 1875
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Date of death 4 March 1961
Position(s) Wing-half
Youth career
Strathclyde
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1888–1901 New Brighton Tower 66 (1)
1901–1903 Reading
1903–1909 West Ham United 156 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Having won a Scottish junior cap with Strathclyde, Allison started his senior career in 1899 at Second Division club New Brighton Tower, where he made 66 League appearances.[2] After New Brighton Tower folded in 1901, Allison moved to Reading. He spent two seasons at the Berkshire club before joining West Ham United, along with Charles Cotton, Herbert Lyon and Ernie Watts, for their final season at the Memorial Grounds in 1903–04.[3]

After scoring on his West Ham debut, against Kettering Town in September 1903, Allison went on to make 156 Southern League appearances for the club, scoring seven goals, and often deputised as captain. He also made nine appearances in the FA Cup. He became the first West Ham player to receive a benefit match on 14 December 1907, a Western League fixture against Portsmouth.[3][4] He played his final game for West Ham on 10 April 1909, a 3–1 home victory against Watford.[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012) [2002]. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-905891-61-0.
  2. ^ Powles, John (2008). Irons of the South. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-905891-08-5.
  3. ^ a b Marsh, Steve. "Tommy ALLISON ... (1903 – 1909)". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  4. ^ Marsh, Steve. "West Ham United Benefit games". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Tommy Allison". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 30 May 2007.
  6. ^ Hogg, Tony (2005). Who's Who of West Ham United. Profile Sports Media. p. 19. ISBN 1-903135-50-8.