Tom Penn (footballer)

Thomas Penn (11 October 1897 – 1978), known as Tom or Tommy Penn, was an English footballer who played as a full back in the Football League for Bristol City, Darlington and Swindon Town. He also played non-league football for Methley Perseverance, Altofts West Riding Colliery, Gainsborough Trinity, Yeovil & Petters United and Bath City.

Tom Penn
Personal information
Full name Thomas Penn[1]
Date of birth (1897-10-11)11 October 1897[2]
Place of birth Heath Common, Yorkshire, England
Date of death 1978 (aged 80–81)
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
– Methley Perseverance
– Altofts West Riding Colliery
1925–1927 Bristol City 6 (0)
1927–1928 Darlington 14 (0)
1928–1929 Gainsborough Trinity
1929–1931 Swindon Town 27 (0)
1931–1932 Yeovil & Petters United
1932–1933 Gainsborough Trinity
1933–1934 Bath City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Penn was born in Heath Common, West Riding of Yorkshire,[1] in 1897.[2] He played football for nearby Methley Perseverance[4] and Altofts West Riding Colliery before signing for Football League Second Division club Bristol City in 1925. He appeared in six Football League games in his first season,[1] but in his second, his appearances were restricted to the reserve team in the Western and Southern Leagues.[5] In July 1927 he joined Darlington, newly relegated to the Third Division North.[3] He went straight into the team, had a run of 7 matches at left back before losing his place, first to Tommy Greaves and then to James Mellon, and finished the season with 16 appearances, 14 in the league and 2 in the FA Cup.[6]

Penn joined Midland League club Gainsborough Trinity ahead of the 1928–29 season, and returned to the Football League with Swindon Town at the end of it.[7] He came into the side to replace the ageing Wally Dickinson, and played regularly until April 1930, but appeared only once for the first team in 1930–31.[8] Penn joined Southern League Yeovil & Petters United on trial in November 1931 and, although initially reluctant to accept the terms offered, signed a contract in January 1932.[9] He remained with the club until the end of the season before returning to Gainsborough for 1932–33.[10] Penn made one first-team appearance for Bath City during the 1933–34 season.[11]

He died in 1978 aged about 80.[2]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 206. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. Tom Penn at the English National Football Archive (subscription required). Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  3. "Darlington's list. A new full back from Bristol City". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 13 July 1927. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Player search". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. "Football. Association. Outplayed at Bristol". The Courier. Taunton. 20 October 1926. p. 8 – via British Newspaper Archive.
    "Southern League. City Reserves draw at Swindon". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 14 March 1927. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. Tweddle, Frank (2000). The Definitive Darlington F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData. pp. 53–54. ISBN 978-1-899468-15-7.
  7. "Portsmouth's new Scot". Sheffield Independent. 15 May 1929. p. 12 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. "Player profile: Tommy Penn". Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
    "Player profile: Wally Dickenson". Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  9. "Yeovil's new back. Signature of Tommy Penn". Western Gazette. 13 November 1931. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
    "Penn signs for Yeovil". Western Gazette. 22 January 1932. p. 12 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. "Heard and noted". Lincolnshire Echo. 2 July 1932. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Past players: P". Bath City F.C. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
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