Tommy Spink
Thomas William Spink (13 November 1887 – 1966) was an English professional footballer who played as a right winger, mostly for Grimsby Town AFC.
Playing career
Thomas William Spink, born in Dipton, County Durham, was a professional footballer who primarily played for Grimsby Town AFC. His favoured position was outside right (right winger). In a "A Who's Who of Grimsby Town AFC 1890-1985" by Douglas Lamming, the book had the following to say: "Tommy was reckoned to be one of Grimsby's best ever right-wingers because of his speed, pinpoint centering and consistency." During the First World War he made one appearance as a 'War Guest' for Hartlepool United in the World War I League. He also played professionally for Hibernian, Fulham, Rochdale, and Worksop Town.
Grimsby Town A.F.C. Side (Pre-War): 1914/1915
The Mariner 'Official Matchday Magazine' printed a picture of the side, and a brief biography of the side's players and their service during the war. The magazine article mentioned the following players:
Sid Wheelhouse: Club captain who died of his wounds at Beaumont Hamel, September 1916.
Ralph Thompson: Winger, lost his life on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1916.
Dave Kenny: Centre half, served in the Middlesex Regiment's footballers battalion, survived the war.
Frank Martin: Left half, served in the Middlesex Regiment's footballers battalion, survived the war.
Tom Rippon: Forward, worked in the mines, before joining the army.
George Rampton: Forward, did 'war work' in the midlands.
Percy Summers: Goalkeeper, joined the footballers battalion, injuries from a grenade ensured he would play only one game after the war.
Tommy Spink: Served firstly in a munitions factory, then with the Durham Light Infantry, survived the war.
Playing record
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulham F.C. | 1910–1912 | 11 | 1 |
| Grimsby Town AFC | 1914–1921 | 116 | 3 |
| Hartlepool United F.C. | 1919 | 1 | 0 |
| Hibernian F.C. | 1918–1919 | 17 | 0 |
| Rochdale A.F.C. | 1914- | n/a | n/a |
| Worksop Town F.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Match reports
Due to the era that Tommy Spink played in, there is a lack of media coverage of his career. However, Playupliverpool have listed a clipping of a match report from 28 April – 1914. The game was Rochdale vs Liverpool, and the result was a 2–2 draw. The match report states: "On their respective wings Spink and Smith were at times sparklingly clever; especially so was Spink, for his runs and centres were quite a feature of the second half."
Later life
He died in 1966 and was buried with his family in Cleethorpes.[1]