Tom Booth
Encyclopedia
Thomas Edward "Tom" Booth (25 April 1874 – 7 September 1939) was an English footballer who played at centre-half for Blackburn Rovers
and Everton
. He also made two appearances for England
in March 1898 and April 1903.
, Manchester
, the youngest of seven children to Isaac and Sarah Booth. His father was an accounts clerk.
Booth married Mary Elizabeth Brierley in September 1910.
before joining Blackburn Rovers
in 1896. He soon developed into "a dependable centre-back" and was called up for England
for the Home Championship
match against Wales
played at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground
on 28 March 1898. The match ended in a 3–0 victory for England, with two goals from Fred Wheldon.
The previous November, Booth was a member of the Football League
side that defeated the Irish League 8–1 at Hyde Road
, Manchester. Booth ended the 1897–98 season having scored six league goals, as Blackburn Rovers finished a "disappointing season" in the penultimate position in the league table. Despite finishing at the bottom of the play-offs, Blackburn avoided relegation to the Second Division
as the First Division was expanded to 18 clubs.
In 1900, Blackburn Rovers were in financial difficulties and Booth was one of a number of players who were sold to raise funds. In his four years at Blackburn, Booth scored ten goals in 111 league matches.
Booth joined Everton
where his arrival was expected to "materially strengthen" "the half backs division". He made his debut on 3 September 1900 in a 2–1 victory at Preston North End
; his performance was praised in the match report in The Liverpool Mercury:
His second and last international appearance came five years after his first, against Scotland
on 4 April 1903; the match was played at Bramall Lane
, Sheffield
and was won by the Scots, 2–1. Three weeks earlier, Booth had also represented the Football League against the Scottish League, with the English winning 3–0.
In 1906, Booth was part of the Everton team that reached the final
of the FA Cup
, including scoring in the 4–3 victory over Sheffield Wednesday
in Round 4; unfortunately, injury prevented him taking part in the final itself, in which Everton defeated Newcastle United 1–0. Everton also reached the final in the following year
, with Booth again sitting out the final which was lost 2–1 to Sheffield Wednesday.
Booth remained with Everton for one further season, before being released in the summer of 1908. In his eight years with Everton, he had made a total of 185 first-team appearances, scoring 11 goals.
He then joined Preston North End
but moved on to Carlisle United
without making an appearance for Preston. After a year at Carlisle, he retired in 1909.
with his wife, Mary.
He died in Blackpool
on 7 September 1939.
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He also made two appearances for 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 March 1898 and April 1903.
Personal life
Booth was born in ArdwickArdwick
Ardwick is a district of the City of Manchester, in North West England, about one mile east of Manchester City Centre.By the mid-19th century Ardwick had grown from being a village into a pleasant and wealthy suburb of Manchester, but by the end of that century it had become heavily industrialised...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, the youngest of seven children to Isaac and Sarah Booth. His father was an accounts clerk.
Booth married Mary Elizabeth Brierley in September 1910.
Football career
Booth played youth football with Hooley Hill and Ashton North EndAshton North End F.C.
Ashton North End Football Club were an English football club from Ashton-under-Lyne at the end of the 19th century.-History:Ashton North End finished top of the Ashton & District League in 1891-92, and joined The Combination in 1894. They were Combination champions in their first season. In 1895...
before joining Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in 1896. He soon developed into "a dependable centre-back" and was called up for 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...
for the Home Championship
1898 British Home Championship
The 1898 British Home Championship was the fifteenth edition of the annual football tournament played between the British Home Nations. England won the trophy after whitewashing all three opponents and taking the maximum six points...
match against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
played at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
on 28 March 1898. The match ended in a 3–0 victory for England, with two goals from Fred Wheldon.
The previous November, Booth was a member of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
side that defeated the Irish League 8–1 at Hyde Road
Hyde Road
Hyde Road was a football stadium in Ardwick, Manchester, England. It was home to Manchester City F.C. and their predecessors from its construction in 1887 until 1923, when the club moved to Maine Road. It was named after Hyde Road, a road which begins at the east end of Ardwick Green South in...
, Manchester. Booth ended the 1897–98 season having scored six league goals, as Blackburn Rovers finished a "disappointing season" in the penultimate position in the league table. Despite finishing at the bottom of the play-offs, Blackburn avoided relegation to the 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...
as the First Division was expanded to 18 clubs.
In 1900, Blackburn Rovers were in financial difficulties and Booth was one of a number of players who were sold to raise funds. In his four years at Blackburn, Booth scored ten goals in 111 league matches.
Booth joined Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
where his arrival was expected to "materially strengthen" "the half backs division". He made his debut on 3 September 1900 in a 2–1 victory at 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...
; his performance was praised in the match report in The Liverpool Mercury:
Booth had been putting in useful work and kept his forwards well occupied.
At halfback most interest was centred in Booth, and it may at once be stated that he proved himself as resourceful as ever, and kept the front line well employed all through. When danger threatened he anticipated its quarter. . . and avoiding aimless kicking always placed the ball to the best advantage. The value of his work cannot be overestimated, and his inclusion will undoubtedly tend to cement the attractive style of play between forwards and halves that football spectators of to-day delight in.
His second and last international appearance came five years after his first, against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 4 April 1903; the match was played 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...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and was won by the Scots, 2–1. Three weeks earlier, Booth had also represented the Football League against the Scottish League, with the English winning 3–0.
In 1906, Booth was part of the Everton team that reached the final
1906 FA Cup Final
The 1906 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Everton won 1–0, the goal scored by Alex "Sandy" Young.-Match details:-Road to the Final:-References:**-External links:* *...
of 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...
, including scoring in the 4–3 victory over Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in Round 4; unfortunately, injury prevented him taking part in the final itself, in which Everton defeated Newcastle United 1–0. Everton also reached the final in the following year
1907 FA Cup Final
The 1907 FA Cup Final was contested by The Wednesday and Everton at Crystal Palace. Sheffield Wednesday won 2–1, with goals by Jimmy Stewart and George Simpson....
, with Booth again sitting out the final which was lost 2–1 to Sheffield Wednesday.
Booth remained with Everton for one further season, before being released in the summer of 1908. In his eight years with Everton, he had made a total of 185 first-team appearances, scoring 11 goals.
He then joined 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...
but moved on to Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
without making an appearance for Preston. After a year at Carlisle, he retired in 1909.
Later life
Following his retirement, Booth ran the Red Lion Hotel in AudenshawAudenshaw
Audenshaw is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester, England. It is located on the east side of the River Tame, along the course of both the M60 motorway and the Ashton Canal, southwest of Ashton-under-Lyne and east of the city of Manchester...
with his wife, Mary.
He died in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
on 7 September 1939.