Tommy Garrett (footballer)

Thomas "Tommy" Garrett (28 February 1926 – 16 April 2006) was an English professional footballer. He represented his country on three occasions.

Tommy Garrett
Personal information
Full name Thomas Garrett
Date of birth (1926-02-28)28 February 1926
Place of birth South Shields, England
Date of death 16 April 2006(2006-04-16) (aged 80)
Place of death Wallsend, Australia
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1946–1961 Blackpool 308 (3)
1961–1962 Millwall 12 (0)
1962–1963 Fleetwood
1963–1964 Wigan Athletic
1964 Mayfield United
Total 320 (3)
National team
1952–1953 England 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Garrett was a miner playing for Horden Colliery when Blackpool signed him as a 16-year-old in 1942, initially as a forward. It was as a full-back, however, that he established himself – and as a "footballing" defender, who preferred to pass his way out of trouble rather than kicking it downfield. He also spent hours practising heading the ball.[1]

Garrett made his debut for the Seasiders on 29 March 1948, in a single-goal defeat at Derby County. He did not become a regular in the side until Ron Suart left for Blackburn Rovers in 1949.

The 1950s are the most successful decade in Blackpool's history to date. Garrett would be at the club playing top division football throughout, as would goalkeeper George Farm, fellow defender Hugh Kelly, right winger Stanley Matthews, forward Jackie Mudie and outside left Bill Perry.

He could perform equally well on either flank, and played in both the 1951 and 1953 FA Cup Finals, appearing in the latter with a broken nose sustained a week beforehand. It was during this period of his career that he gained his England caps, partnering Alf Ramsey. He made his international debut against Scotland on 5 April 1952.

After 14 years with Blackpool, Garrett joined Millwall on a free transfer in May 1961, making a dozen appearances for the Lions before retiring from the professional game and joining Fleetwood Town. He then played for a short time in Australia, with Mayfield United, and eventually settled there. He died on 16 April 2006 in Wallsend, New South Wales.

References
  1. Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992. Breedon Books Sport. p. 90. ISBN 1-873626-07-X.
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