Tommy Traynor
Encyclopedia
Tommy Traynor was an Irish footballer who played his entire English professional career for Southampton
between 1952 and 1966.
During his 14 years at The Dell
he became virtually an institution, and by the end of his career he held the record for appearances for Southampton.
and originally was the product of local club St Patricks. He had just turned 17 years of age when he was promoted, on 10 September 1950, from the club's reserve and youth squad for a Dublin City Cup
trip to Limerick's Market's Field. Keeping his place for the next two games which were away from home he made his Oriel Park
debut on 31 December 1950 in a League of Ireland
as a substitute in a game against Sligo Rovers.
He was a member of a high quality Dundalk youth squad that had progressed to the semi-finals of both the FAI and Leinster Minor Cups and included some International and Inter-League players. For the next season, his place was with the reserves until injuries saw him line out in a League game against Sligo in early February, on the weekend before the first round 1952 FAI Cup
clash versus St Patrick's Athletic. This time there was no going back to the reserves. A superb Cup game secured his place for the remainder of the season, thanks to a merciless sliding tackle and a deceptive turn of speed. A tough tackling, uncompromising defender, by the season's end he had in his possession a coveted FAI Cup medal, after Dundalk defeated Cork Athletic in a final replay, an Amateur international Cap against Scotland.
and Manchester City to join Southampton in June 1952; he made his debut on 11 October 1952 away to Brentford
making 10 appearances as Saints went on to be relegated from Division 2 at the end of that season.
The following season, in Division 3, he became the club’s regular left-back and his merciless sliding tackles and deceptive turn of pace stood him in good stead as Saints began the long haul back to Division 2. Although he was not the most athletic player, he had a super football brain and a great left foot.
Tommy won 8 Republic of Ireland national football team
caps between 1954 and 1964 making his debut against Luxembourg in 1954 http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=61.
By the time of Southampton’s promotion season in 1966, age was catching up with him and he only made 1 appearance in his final season, at home to Preston
on 27 November 1965.
In his later years, he became an influential figure at the club, and he was granted a prestigious testimonial against FC Twente.
During his time at The Dell he amassed 487 appearances for the club, scoring 8 goals.
After finally retiring at the end of the 1965-66 season, he briefly ran an off-licence and worked in Southampton Docks.
He died in September 2006 at the age of 73 after a short illness.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
between 1952 and 1966.
During his 14 years at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
he became virtually an institution, and by the end of his career he held the record for appearances for Southampton.
Dundalk
Traynor was born in DundalkDundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
and originally was the product of local club St Patricks. He had just turned 17 years of age when he was promoted, on 10 September 1950, from the club's reserve and youth squad for a Dublin City Cup
Dublin City Cup
The Dublin City Cup is a defunct Irish football tournament which was played for by all League of Ireland sides . It ran from 1933 and ran uninterrupted until 1973. In season 1975/76 it was revived and played for by sides who did not reach the League of Ireland Cup quarter finals...
trip to Limerick's Market's Field. Keeping his place for the next two games which were away from home he made his Oriel Park
Oriel Park
Oriel Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Dundalk F.C. Its current capacity is about 4,500 with 3,000 seats. The ground was opened in 1919.-History:...
debut on 31 December 1950 in a 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...
as a substitute in a game against Sligo Rovers.
He was a member of a high quality Dundalk youth squad that had progressed to the semi-finals of both the FAI and Leinster Minor Cups and included some International and Inter-League players. For the next season, his place was with the reserves until injuries saw him line out in a League game against Sligo in early February, on the weekend before the first round 1952 FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
clash versus St Patrick's Athletic. This time there was no going back to the reserves. A superb Cup game secured his place for the remainder of the season, thanks to a merciless sliding tackle and a deceptive turn of speed. A tough tackling, uncompromising defender, by the season's end he had in his possession a coveted FAI Cup medal, after Dundalk defeated Cork Athletic in a final replay, an Amateur international Cap against Scotland.
Southampton
He turned down offers from ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Manchester City to join Southampton in June 1952; he made his debut on 11 October 1952 away to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
making 10 appearances as Saints went on to be relegated from Division 2 at the end of that season.
The following season, in Division 3, he became the club’s regular left-back and his merciless sliding tackles and deceptive turn of pace stood him in good stead as Saints began the long haul back to Division 2. Although he was not the most athletic player, he had a super football brain and a great left foot.
Tommy won 8 Republic of Ireland national football team
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....
caps between 1954 and 1964 making his debut against Luxembourg in 1954 http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=61.
By the time of Southampton’s promotion season in 1966, age was catching up with him and he only made 1 appearance in his final season, at home to Preston
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...
on 27 November 1965.
In his later years, he became an influential figure at the club, and he was granted a prestigious testimonial against FC Twente.
During his time at The Dell he amassed 487 appearances for the club, scoring 8 goals.
After football
He was also a founder member of the Southampton Tyro League in the late 1960s.After finally retiring at the end of the 1965-66 season, he briefly ran an off-licence and worked in Southampton Docks.
He died in September 2006 at the age of 73 after a short illness.
Honours
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Dundalk F.C.Dundalk F.C.Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
1952
- Dundalk F.C.
- Football League Division 3/Football League 1
- Southampton F.C.Southampton F.C.Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
1959/60
- Southampton F.C.