Tom Farquharson
Encyclopedia
Tom Farquharson was an Irish
footballer
who played as a goalkeeper for Cardiff City F.C.
between 1921 and 1934. A dual internationalist
, he also played for both Ireland teams - - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
. In 1927 Farquharson was a member of the Cardiff City team that became the only non-English
team to win the FA Cup
. He played 445 English League games for Cardiff, which remained a club record until 1985.
During his career Farquharson became known as the Penalty King for his many fine saves from spot kicks. One of his tactics was to move along the line to unsettle the penalty-taker. During the quarter-final of the 1927 FA Cup
against Chelsea
, he charged at the taker, Andy Wilson and blocked it on the six yard line. This tactic was so effective that in 1929 the law was changed to require the goalkeeper not to move his feet until the ball had been kicked. Farquharson’s son Donald Farquharson
was also an accomplished sportsman and was an early pioneer of Masters athletics
. His Great-Grand son Steve Farquharson was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League
in the 3rd round (58th overall) to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
where he played two season before playing one season with the Barrie Colts
with Annally in Ireland
and helped them reach the final of the Leinster Minor Cup. However he had to leave Dublin because of his Republican
sympathies during the Irish War of Independence
. A student at the time, he had been arrested, along with his friend Seán Lemass
, later to become Taoiseach
, for pulling down British Army
posters in St. Stephen's Green
. This proved embarrassing to his father, who did a lot of business with the British, and after Tom was released on bail, he was packed off to work in Blackwood, Caerphilly in south Wales
. On arriving in Wales, he took up rugby union
, but when the Welsh League
side Oakdale found themselves short of a goalkeeper, Farquharson offered his services. He then moved onto Southern League
side Abertillery for the 1921-22 season.
side Cardiff City
and made his debut for the club on the last day of the 1921-22 season. He went onto make 445 league appearances for Cardiff and helped them finish First Division runners up in 1923-24. He also played a further 34 games for Cardiff in the FA Cup
, helping them reach the final in both 1925 and 1927
. They lost the first final to Sheffield United
but in 1927 they beat Arsenal
1-0, becoming the first and to date the only non-English
team to win the competition. Among Farquharson’s team mates that day was fellow Irish
international Sam Irving
. Farquharson also played 38 games for Cardiff in the Welsh Cup
helping them win the competition four times.
- 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 Farquharson, played for both teams. In April 1931 this situation saw Farquharson briefly embroiled in controversy when he was called up by the IFA to play against Wales
but opted instead to play for the FAI XI against Spain
.
. He made his debut for the IFA XI on March 3, 1923 in a 1-0 defeat to Scotland
. On October 10, 1923, together with Sam Irving
, Bobby Irvine
and Billy Gillespie
, Farquharson was a member the IFA XI that beat England
2-1 at Windsor Park
. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI on February 28, 1925 in a 3-0 defeat to Scotland.
. On May 11, 1930 he won his second cap for the FAI XI when he played against Belgium again, helping them to a 3-1 away win. The highlight of his appearances for the FAI XI came on April 26, 1931 when he helped them hold Spain
to 1-1 draw in the Montjuic Stadium
in Barcelona
. Farquharson was team captain and after conceding a penalty, he went onto make a great save. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on December 13, 1931 in 5-0 defeat to Spain at Dalymount Park.
Cardiff City
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a goalkeeper for Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
between 1921 and 1934. A dual internationalist
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...
, he also played for both Ireland teams - - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
Ireland 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 1927 Farquharson was a member of the Cardiff City team that became the only non-English
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...
team to win 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...
. He played 445 English League games for Cardiff, which remained a club record until 1985.
During his career Farquharson became known as the Penalty King for his many fine saves from spot kicks. One of his tactics was to move along the line to unsettle the penalty-taker. During the quarter-final of the 1927 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...
against Chelsea
Chelsea 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...
, he charged at the taker, Andy Wilson and blocked it on the six yard line. This tactic was so effective that in 1929 the law was changed to require the goalkeeper not to move his feet until the ball had been kicked. Farquharson’s son Donald Farquharson
Donald Farquharson (athlete)
Donald Farquharson was an accomplished sportsman. He is the son of Tom Farquharson the former Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Cardiff City. He emigrated from Cardiff to Canada after the Second World War and in the 1970s became one of the early proponents of Masters...
was also an accomplished sportsman and was an early pioneer of Masters athletics
Masters athletics (track and field)
Masters athletics is a class of the sport of athletics for veteran athletes in the events of track and field, road running and cross country running. The competitions feature five-year age groups beginning at age 35. Men as old as 104 and women in their 100s have competed in running, jumping and...
. His Great-Grand son Steve Farquharson was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
in the 3rd round (58th overall) to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
where he played two season before playing one season with the Barrie Colts
Barrie Colts
The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...
Early years
The son of Thomas Farquharson, a master plumber and a member of the Presbyterian minority, he was brought up in the football heartland of Drumcondra. As a youth Farquharson played footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
with Annally in 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 helped them reach the final of the Leinster Minor Cup. However he had to leave Dublin because of his Republican
Irish Republic
The Irish Republic was a revolutionary state that declared its independence from Great Britain in January 1919. It established a legislature , a government , a court system and a police force...
sympathies during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
. A student at the time, he had been arrested, along with his friend Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
, later to become Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
, for pulling down British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
posters in St. Stephen's Green
St. Stephen's Green
St Stephen's Green is a city centre public park in Dublin, Ireland. The park is adjacent to one of Dublin's main shopping streets, Grafton Street, and to a shopping centre named for it, while on its surrounding streets are the offices of a number of public bodies and the city terminus of one of...
. This proved embarrassing to his father, who did a lot of business with the British, and after Tom was released on bail, he was packed off to work in Blackwood, Caerphilly in south Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. On arriving in Wales, he took up rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, but when the Welsh League
Welsh Football League
The Welsh Football League is a club football league in Wales. Division One of the Welsh Football League is at Level 2 of the Welsh football league system, immediately below the national Welsh Premier League.The Welsh Football League's history stretches back to 1904 when the competition was first...
side Oakdale found themselves short of a goalkeeper, Farquharson offered his services. He then moved onto Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
side Abertillery for the 1921-22 season.
Cardiff City
Farquharson soon attracted the interest of First DivisionFootball 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 Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and made his debut for the club on the last day of the 1921-22 season. He went onto make 445 league appearances for Cardiff and helped them finish First Division runners up in 1923-24. He also played a further 34 games for Cardiff 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...
, helping them reach the final in both 1925 and 1927
FA Cup Final 1927
The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis's mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio...
. They lost the first final to 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...
but in 1927 they beat Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
1-0, becoming the first and to date the only non-English
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...
team to win the competition. Among Farquharson’s team mates that day was fellow Irish
Ireland 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...
international Sam Irving
Sam Irving
Samuel Johnstone Irving was an Irish footballer and manager.-Career:Irving began his footballing career in the North-East of England, playing for a number of non-League clubs, and in 1911 having an unsuccessful trial with Newcastle United...
. Farquharson also played 38 games for Cardiff in the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
helping them win the competition four times.
Irish international
When Farquharson began his international career in 1923 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 Farquharson, played for both teams. In April 1931 this situation saw Farquharson briefly embroiled in controversy when he was called up by the IFA to play 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...
but opted instead to play for the FAI XI against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.
IFA XI
Between 1923 and 1927 Farquharson played 7 times 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...
. He made his debut for the IFA XI on March 3, 1923 in a 1-0 defeat to 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 October 10, 1923, together with Sam Irving
Sam Irving
Samuel Johnstone Irving was an Irish footballer and manager.-Career:Irving began his footballing career in the North-East of England, playing for a number of non-League clubs, and in 1911 having an unsuccessful trial with Newcastle United...
, Bobby Irvine
Bobby Irvine (footballer born 1900)
Robert William "Bobby" Irvine was an Irish footballer. He played as a centre or inside forward....
and Billy Gillespie
Billy Gillespie
Billy Gillespie was a football player for Sheffield United over a twenty year period from 1913 to 1932, scoring over 137 League and Cup goals in 492 games for the South Yorkshire side....
, Farquharson was a member the IFA XI that beat 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...
2-1 at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI on February 28, 1925 in a 3-0 defeat to Scotland.
FAI XI
Between 1929 and 1931 Farquharson also played 4 times for the FAI XI. He made his debut for the FAI XI on April 20, 1929 in a 4-0 win against Belgium at Dalymount ParkDalymount 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...
. On May 11, 1930 he won his second cap for the FAI XI when he played against Belgium again, helping them to a 3-1 away win. The highlight of his appearances for the FAI XI came on April 26, 1931 when he helped them hold Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
to 1-1 draw in the Montjuic Stadium
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is a stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Originally built in 1927 for the 1929 International Exposition in the city , it was renovated in 1989 to be the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. Farquharson was team captain and after conceding a penalty, he went onto make a great save. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on December 13, 1931 in 5-0 defeat to Spain at Dalymount Park.
Honours
Annually- Leinster Minor Cup
- Finalist 19xx: 1
Cardiff City
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
- Winners 1927FA Cup Final 1927The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis's mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio...
: 1 - Runners Up 1925: 1
- Winners 1927
- First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe 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....
- Runners Up 1923-24 1
- FA Charity Shield
- Winners 19271927 FA Charity ShieldThe 1927 Football Association Charity Shield was played on 12 October 1927. The game was played at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea, and was contested by the FA Cup holders Cardiff City and amateur side Corinthian...
: 1
- Winners 1927
- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
- Winners 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930 : 4
- Runners Up 1929: 1
Sources
- The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Seán Ryan http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392