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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: SallyF on Tuesday 07 February 06 19:54 GMT (UK)
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This may be a long shot, but does anyone know of any site that might list professional football players around 1909-1912 (ish)?
The reason for my question is that my great uncle, Thomas Thorpe, was a "professional football player" on his marriage certificate on 28 Nov 1909.
I thought it wouldn't be long before he showed up as a miner like the rest of my family after he got married, but as late as the baptism of his daughter Emily in 1912 he still had the same occupation, but was living in Northampton at the time. The marriage and the childrens christenings took place in Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire (going back to family home).
I e-mailed Northampton Town Football Club about 2-3 months ago, but have not had a reply, so I don't think I'm going to get one now.
I have also googled his name, but nothing, so he can't have been famous. ( I have wondered if my great aunt was an original "footballer's wife", but I don't think the pay was quite in the same bracket as now !!)
My father remembers him vaguely, but seems to remember him more for cricket than football, and seems to think he later became a groundsman at a cricket club.
Anyone any suggestions? I would love to know more detail about his career, but can't think where to go next.
Sally
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The best idea is to contact the National Football Museum at Preston. They are usually very good and will provide photographs and copies of programmes if they have them for the cost of copying and postage.
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Thanks for that, I've sent them an e-mail, so (fingers crossed) :) they might be able to help, or at least point me in a different direction.
Their research page tells the old story of "limited funding", however, so this is currently unavailable. I can live in hope though. :) :)
Sally
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I've just had this reply from the National Football Museum:
"Hello Sally,
I can definitely send you some information about your great uncle. I will need your postal address.
Tommy Thorpe was a goalkeeper , born Kilnhurst 19/5/1881 died 1953.
He played for Rawmarsh Athletic (?), Doncaster Rovers in 1904 (31 appearances), Barnsley (1905-8), 101 appearances, 1 goal (!), then Northampton 22 appearances in 1920 and Barnsley 13 appearances in 1921.
I can be more precise by looking at the actual Football League records (which we hold) and perhaps I can find a team photograph in other books. I am sure I can send you quite a lot. The World War 1 period may be interesting."
Wow!! Loads of information there, much more than I'd hoped for. So he really was a career footballer, he'd be 40 by the 2nd time he played for Barnsley FC.
So thanks for the original push in the right direction, Behindthefrogs !!
Sally