Tom Baddeley
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tom" Baddeley was an English international footballer who played as a goalkeeper
. In his playing career, Baddeley made over 350 league appearances, as well as earning five caps for the English national side
.
in 1893 after joining the club from local non-league football. He was an ever-present during the 1894–95
and 1895–96
seasons, but was suspended by the club in August 1896 after signing professional forms with another club. He was sold on to Wolverhampton Wanderers
in October 1896 for £50.
He broke through into the first team the following year, making his league debut on 1 September 1897 in a 3–0 win over Preston North End
. In his first three years at Wolves, he kept 31 clean sheets. Conversely Baddeley was also in goal in 1900 when Wolves were sensationally knocked out of the F A Cup by Queen's Park Rangers at home.
This form saw him make his international debut on 14 February 1903 in a 4–0 win over Ireland, played at his home club ground of Molineux
. He made four further appearances over the next 14 months, all during his time with the club.
After making a total of 315 appearances in an 11-year stay, he left Wolves
in 1907 for Bradford Park Avenue
, where he later played in their first-ever league match in September 1908. However, he returned to the Midlands with Stoke
after failing to become a regular in the Bradford team. His stay at Stoke proved short though and he soon dropped into non-league action with nearby Whitfield Colliery before retiring in May 1911.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. In his playing career, Baddeley made over 350 league appearances, as well as earning five caps for the English national side
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Playing career
Baddeley began his professional career with Burslem Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 1893 after joining the club from local non-league football. He was an ever-present during the 1894–95
1894–95 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1894–95 season was Burslem Port Vale's third consecutive season of football in the Football League. The progress of the previous season was lost, as 19 of the 30 league games ended in defeat. Only nearby Crewe Alexandra finished below the Vale, however only Walsall Town Swifts failed to gain...
and 1895–96
1895–96 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1895–96 season was Burslem Port Vale's fourth consecutive season of football in the Football League. Another poor season struggling at the wrong end of the table, this time they failed to gain re-election; two seasons in the Midlands League followed, and despite a finish of 7th and then 5th...
seasons, but was suspended by the club in August 1896 after signing professional forms with another club. He was sold on to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in October 1896 for £50.
He broke through into the first team the following year, making his league debut on 1 September 1897 in a 3–0 win over Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. In his first three years at Wolves, he kept 31 clean sheets. Conversely Baddeley was also in goal in 1900 when Wolves were sensationally knocked out of the F A Cup by Queen's Park Rangers at home.
This form saw him make his international debut on 14 February 1903 in a 4–0 win over Ireland, played at his home club ground of Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
. He made four further appearances over the next 14 months, all during his time with the club.
After making a total of 315 appearances in an 11-year stay, he left Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in 1907 for Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
, where he later played in their first-ever league match in September 1908. However, he returned to the Midlands with Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
after failing to become a regular in the Bradford team. His stay at Stoke proved short though and he soon dropped into non-league action with nearby Whitfield Colliery before retiring in May 1911.