Thomas Higginson Broad (31 July 1887 – 1966) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Bristol City, Chesterfield, Manchester City, Oldham Athletic, Southampton, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion.[1] His brother Jimmy was also a footballer.

Tommy Broad
Personal information
Full name Thomas Higginson Broad
Date of birth (1887-07-31)31 July 1887
Place of birth Stalybridge, England
Date of death October qtr. 1966 (aged 79)
Place of death Barton-upon-Irwell, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Outside-right
Youth career
Redgate Albion
Denton Wanderers
Openshaw Lads Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1905–1908 West Bromwich Albion 11 (0)
1908–1909 Chesterfield 48 (5)
1909–1912 Oldham Athletic 134 (12)
1912–1919 Bristol City 106 (8)
1919–1921 Manchester City 42 (0)
1921–1924 Stoke 83 (4)
1924–1925 Southampton 9 (0)
1925–1926 Weymouth
1926–???? Rhyl
Total 433 (29)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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Broad was born in Stalybridge and after playing youth football with various clubs, he had an unsuccessful trial with Manchester City in 1904.[2] In September 1905, he signed his first professional contract with West Bromwich Albion where he made 14 league and cup appearances before joining Chesterfield in February 1908.

Broad remained at Saltergate until the end of the 1908–09 season, at the end of which the "Spireites" were relegated to the Third Division. Broad then returned to his native Lancashire, joining Oldham Athletic in May 1909. At the end of Broad's first season at Boundary Park, the "Latics" were promoted to the First Division as runners-up to Manchester City. After three years with Oldham, during which he made over 140 first-team appearances, Broad was on the move again, this time back to the Second Division with Bristol City.

Broad remained with the Ashton Gate club until after the First World War, making over 110 appearances,[1][3][4] before again returning to Lancashire and the First Division, with Manchester City. Two years at Hyde Road were followed by three seasons at Stoke where Broad along with his brother Jimmy helped the "Potters" finish as Second Division runners-up in 1921–22, although this was followed by relegation the following season.[5] After three years in the Potteries, where Broad made 89 first-team appearances, he moved to the South Coast to join Southampton.

Broad still holds the distinction of being the oldest player ever signed by the "Saints", being just three weeks short of his 37th birthday.[2] At The Dell, he was used as cover for Bill Henderson and only had a run of three games in October, followed by six in April.[6] In September 1925, Broad moved to Weymouth of the Western League, before playing out his career with Rhyl.[2]

Career statistics

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Source:[7]

Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Bromwich Albion 1906–07 Second Division 11 0 4 1 15 1
Total 11 0 4 1 15 1
Chesterfield 1907–08 Second Division 10 2 0 0 10 2
1908–09 Second Division 38 3 2 0 40 3
Total 48 5 2 0 50 5
Oldham Athletic 1909–10 Second Division 37 7 1 0 38 7
1910–11 First Division 23 1 3 0 26 1
1911–12 First Division 36 1 4 0 40 1
Total 96 9 8 0 104 9
Bristol City 1912–13 Second Division 37 3 1 0 38 3
1913–14 Second Division 38 3 2 0 40 3
1914–15 Second Division 31 2 2 0 33 2
Total 106 8 5 0 111 8
Manchester City 1919–20 First Division 19 0 1 0 20 0
1920–21 First Division 23 0 1 0 24 0
Total 42 0 2 0 44 0
Stoke 1921–22 Second Division 32 3 4 0 36 3
1922–23 First Division 21 1 1 0 22 1
1923–24 Second Division 30 0 1 0 31 0
Total 83 4 6 0 89 4
Southampton 1924–25 Second Division 9 0 0 0 9 0
Total 9 0 0 0 9 0
Career Total 395 26 27 1 422 27

Honours

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Oldham Athletic
Stoke

References

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  1. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939. Tony Brown. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ a b c Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  3. ^ Woods, David; Leigh Edwards (1997). Bristol City FC The First 100 years. Redcliffe Press. ISBN 1-900178-26-5.
  4. ^ Woods, David (1994). Bristol Babe The First 100 years of Bristol City FC. Yore Publications. ISBN 1-874427-95-X.
  5. ^ Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  6. ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 72–73. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
  7. ^ Tommy Broad at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)