Tom Davis (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lawrence Davis commonly referred to as Tom Davis and Tommy Davis, is a former Irish
association footballer who played as a centre forward for several clubs in the League of Ireland
and the English Football League
. Davis was also a dual international footballer
—playing for both the Republic of Ireland
(FAI) and Ireland (IFA), scoring a total of five goals in five cap
s. He was born in County Dublin
.
clubs such as Frankfort and Midland Athletic before playing in the League of Ireland itself with Shelbourne
and then Cork F.C.
. His goalscoring form brought Davis a trial with Exeter City
early in the 1931-32, but it was with Boston Town
that he enjoyed his first settled spell in English football.
Davis arrived in the English League proper with Torquay United
, but it was a move to New Brighton
in the Third Division North
that brought him to the attention of the wider world. Signed by French side F.C. Metz in 1935, he failed to settle, and broke his contract to return to England with Oldham Athletic
. After serving a three month ban for breaking his contract, he returned to his goalscoring ways. His tally of 35 goals during the 1936-37 season is still a record for an Oldham player. He scored four hat-tricks and scored seven goals in a seven game run - five in the league and two in the FA Cup
.
Mid-way through the 1937-38 season Davis signed for Tranmere Rovers
and his return of six goals in ten matches helped push the club to the English Third Division North
title, and promotion to the English Second Division
for the first time in the club’s history. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Davis returned to the League of Ireland
, playing with Cork City, Drumcondra and Shelbourne
. He did briefly return to England where he made a handful of appearances for Workington
. He also had a spell with Distillery, where he netted 24 goals in a single season.
- based IFA
and the Irish Free State
- based FAI
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Davis, played for both teams.
at Dalymount Park
. He marked the occasion with two goals. Davis scored the FAI XI’s second goal when he converted a penalty in the 40th minute. Then in the 75th minute when Paddy Moore
shot from 25 yards and the German goalkeeper fumbled, Davis was on hand to get the fifth goal. Davis won his second FAI cap on December 6, 1936 and scored again in a 3-2 home defeat against Hungary
. In May 1938 he was included in an FAI squad that briefly toured Central European. Davis led the attacking line in both matches. On May 18 he scored his fourth and final goal for the FAI XI in a 2-2 draw against Czechoslovakia
. He made his final appearance for the FAI XI in a 6-0 defeat against Poland
. This was the only international match in which Davis played that he failed to score.
in a 3-1 defeat against England
in the 1937 British Home Championship
. Davis maintained his impressive international scoring record when he scored the only goal for the IFA XI.
Cork City
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
association footballer who played as a centre forward for several clubs in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and the English Football League
English Football League
English football league is not specific; it may refer to:* The Football League - the highest four divisions of English football until 1992 and the three divisions below the Premier League since 1992;...
. Davis was also a dual international footballer
Dual Irish international footballers
Dual Irish international footballers are a group of Irish international footballers who, between 1908 and March 1950, played for the international teams selected by both the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland...
—playing for both the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
(FAI) and Ireland (IFA), scoring a total of five goals in five cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
s. He was born in County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
.
Club career
Davis spent his early career playing junior football with former League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
clubs such as Frankfort and Midland Athletic before playing in the League of Ireland itself with Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
and then Cork F.C.
Cork F.C.
Cork Football Club was an Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1930 and 1938.-History:Cork F.C. originally played as Fordsons and were originally the factory team of the Ford Motor Company, a major employer in the city at that time. However in 1930, Ford...
. His goalscoring form brought Davis a trial with Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
early in the 1931-32, but it was with Boston Town
Boston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
that he enjoyed his first settled spell in English football.
Davis arrived in the English League proper with Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, but it was a move to New Brighton
New Brighton A.F.C.
-Revived club:New Brighton A.F.C. were reborn in 1993, and joined the Birkenhead and Wirral League, which they won in their first season. In 1995 the club switched to the South Wirral League. After upgrading their new ground, the club were admitted to the Second Division of the West Cheshire League...
in the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
that brought him to the attention of the wider world. Signed by French side F.C. Metz in 1935, he failed to settle, and broke his contract to return to England with Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. After serving a three month ban for breaking his contract, he returned to his goalscoring ways. His tally of 35 goals during the 1936-37 season is still a record for an Oldham player. He scored four hat-tricks and scored seven goals in a seven game run - five in the league and two in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
.
Mid-way through the 1937-38 season Davis signed for Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
and his return of six goals in ten matches helped push the club to the English Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
title, and promotion to the English Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
for the first time in the club’s history. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Davis returned to the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
, playing with Cork City, Drumcondra and Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
. He did briefly return to England where he made a handful of appearances for Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
. He also had a spell with Distillery, where he netted 24 goals in a single season.
Irish international
When Davis began his international career in 1936 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
- based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
- based FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Davis, played for both teams.
FAI XI
Between 1936 and 1938 Davis made 4 appearances and scored 4 goals for the FAI XI. He made his international debut on October 17, 1936 in a 5-2 win against GermanyGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. He marked the occasion with two goals. Davis scored the FAI XI’s second goal when he converted a penalty in the 40th minute. Then in the 75th minute when Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers and Aberdeen. Moore was a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.In February 1934 Moore scored four goals for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium...
shot from 25 yards and the German goalkeeper fumbled, Davis was on hand to get the fifth goal. Davis won his second FAI cap on December 6, 1936 and scored again in a 3-2 home defeat against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. In May 1938 he was included in an FAI squad that briefly toured Central European. Davis led the attacking line in both matches. On May 18 he scored his fourth and final goal for the FAI XI in a 2-2 draw against Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
. He made his final appearance for the FAI XI in a 6-0 defeat against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
. This was the only international match in which Davis played that he failed to score.
IFA XI
On November 18, 1936, Davis made his one and only appearance for the IFA XIIreland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
in a 3-1 defeat against England
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...
in the 1937 British Home Championship
1937 British Home Championship
The 1937 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1936–37 seasons. The trophy was won by Wales with Scotland coming second. This was the last Home Championship that Wales would win exclusively, all subsequent victories would be...
. Davis maintained his impressive international scoring record when he scored the only goal for the IFA XI.
Honours
Tranmere Rovers- Third Division NorthFootball League Third Division NorthThe Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
- Winners 1937-38: 1
Cork City
- Munster Senior Cup
- Winners 1939 1
External links
- Northern Ireland’s Footballing Greats nifootball.blogspot.com