Tom Phillipson
Encyclopedia
William Thomas "Tom" Phillipson (31 October 1898 – 19 November 1965) was an English
footballer, who set a number of goalscoring records for Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
in December 1919. A former England Schoolboy international, he had a strong goalscoring record at youth level but failed to make a strong impact for his new senior club.
He moved to Swindon Town
in May 1921 for £500, where he spent a season-and-a-half. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers
, then of the Third Division
, for £1,000 in December 1923.
He scored a hat-trick to open his goalscoring account in his fourth Wolves appearances, against . He finished the campaign with 14 goals as the club won the Third Division title at the first attempt.
The forward was Wolves' leading goalscorer for three successive seasons between 1924–27, becoming the first Wolves player to break the 30 goal barrier in a season. During the 1926–27 season he scored in 13 consecutive league games, a Football League record. This run of goals also saw him score 5 in a match against , a club record never bettered.
During the close season in 1927, Fred Scotchbrook
was replaced by Major Frank Buckley
as manager, a move which saw Phillipson's goal form begin to decline. In March 1928, First Division
side Sheffield United
offered £2,600 for him, which was accepted by the Wolves board. He left Molineux
after 159 games in total, scoring 111 times, a then-club record.
He spent two seasons at Bramall Lane
before returning to the Midlands as player-manager of non-league Bilston United in 1930. He ended his football career with a season at Walsall
in 1931–32.
After retiring from the game, he concentrated on his business interests in Wolverhampton as well as entering local politics. He served as Mayor of Wolverhampton in 1944-1945.
He died aged 67, on 19 November 1965.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer, who set a number of goalscoring records for 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...
.
Career
Phillipson served in the West Regiment in Russia before returning to his native North-East England to sign for Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in December 1919. A former England Schoolboy international, he had a strong goalscoring record at youth level but failed to make a strong impact for his new senior club.
He moved to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in May 1921 for £500, where he spent a season-and-a-half. He joined 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...
, then of the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
, for £1,000 in December 1923.
He scored a hat-trick to open his goalscoring account in his fourth Wolves appearances, against . He finished the campaign with 14 goals as the club won the Third Division title at the first attempt.
The forward was Wolves' leading goalscorer for three successive seasons between 1924–27, becoming the first Wolves player to break the 30 goal barrier in a season. During the 1926–27 season he scored in 13 consecutive league games, a Football League record. This run of goals also saw him score 5 in a match against , a club record never bettered.
During the close season in 1927, Fred Scotchbrook
Fred Scotchbrook
Fred Scotchbrook was an English football player and manager, who managed Stockport County and Wolverhampton Wanderers.-Career:...
was replaced by Major Frank Buckley
Frank Buckley (footballer)
Franklin Charles Buckley was an English football player and, later, manager. He is the brother of Chris Buckley who played for Aston Villa.-Early life:...
as manager, a move which saw Phillipson's goal form begin to decline. In March 1928, First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
offered £2,600 for him, which was accepted by the Wolves board. He left 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...
after 159 games in total, scoring 111 times, a then-club record.
He spent two seasons at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
before returning to the Midlands as player-manager of non-league Bilston United in 1930. He ended his football career with a season at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in 1931–32.
After retiring from the game, he concentrated on his business interests in Wolverhampton as well as entering local politics. He served as Mayor of Wolverhampton in 1944-1945.
He died aged 67, on 19 November 1965.