Tommy Black
Encyclopedia
Thomas Robert "Tommy" Black (born 26 November 1979) is an English
footballer who plays for AFC Hornchurch
.
as a trainee, where he played alongside his older brother Michael
. He was a regular in Arsenal's 1998 FA Premier Youth League-winning side, and was later sent out on loan twice for one month with Carlisle United
and for a month with Bristol City
. He made just two first team appearances for Arsenal, one in the League Cup
against Middlesbrough
on 30 November 1999 which Arsenal lost on penalties, and the other in the Premier League in a 1–0 win against Everton
on 29 April 2000.
Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Black signed for Crystal Palace
in July 2000 for £500,000. Black played regularly and was well liked at Palace, receiving the Division One Player of the Month award in December 2002. After Palace were promoted a loan bid came in from Leeds United
for both Black and Dougie Freedman
- both were rejected. However, he did join Sheffield United
on loan for a month, in December 2004, and in January 2006, still unable to break into the first team, he went out on loan again, this time to Gillingham
, where he scored five goals and was an instant hit with the fans.
Nevertheless, the Gills did not purchase him, and Black later had the choice of another loan move, to either Bradford City
or Brentford
. Black chose Bradford, after Brentford withdrew their bid through lack of funds, but his spell at Bradford was cut short after just six games, when he broke a rib. Black was released by Palace in May 2007 and on 3 July signed for Southend United on a Bosman transfer, rejecting the chance to join Watford. He was released by Southend United
at the end of the 2007–08
season. This was followed by a short spell at Stevenage Borough before joining Barnet
in January 2009, where he played in all five of the club's games during January before he was again released. He signed for Grays Athletic
in March 2009. He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town
. Grays' squad was disbanded at the end of the season, however he rejoined the club at the start of the 2009–10
season. He was released on 31 August, after two substitute appearances.
Black linked up with his former Grays manager, Gary Phillips at Hemel Hempstead Town
as a player-assistant manager in September 2009. On 1 April 2010, he joined AFC Hornchurch
.
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 plays for AFC Hornchurch
A.F.C. Hornchurch
AFC Hornchurch are an English football club based in Hornchurch, Greater London. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Hornchurch Stadium....
.
Club career
Black began his career with ArsenalArsenal 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...
as a trainee, where he played alongside his older brother Michael
Michael Black (footballer)
Michael Black is an English footballer, who played as a midfielder or striker.-Career:Black started his career at Arsenal, joining as a trainee in 1993, later to be joined by his brother Tommy. He won the 1994 FA Youth Cup with Arsenal and made a single appearance for the first team in a UEFA...
. He was a regular in Arsenal's 1998 FA Premier Youth League-winning side, and was later sent out on loan twice for one month with 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....
and for a month with Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
. He made just two first team appearances for Arsenal, one in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on 30 November 1999 which Arsenal lost on penalties, and the other in the Premier League in a 1–0 win against 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...
on 29 April 2000.
Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Black signed for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in July 2000 for £500,000. Black played regularly and was well liked at Palace, receiving the Division One Player of the Month award in December 2002. After Palace were promoted a loan bid came in from Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
for both Black and Dougie Freedman
Dougie Freedman
Douglas "Dougie" Freedman is a Scottish former professional football player who played as a striker. He is currently manager at Championship club Crystal Palace, where he spent ten of his sixteen years as a player.-Barnet:...
- both were rejected. However, he did join 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...
on loan for a month, in December 2004, and in January 2006, still unable to break into the first team, he went out on loan again, this time to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, where he scored five goals and was an instant hit with the fans.
Nevertheless, the Gills did not purchase him, and Black later had the choice of another loan move, to either Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
or 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....
. Black chose Bradford, after Brentford withdrew their bid through lack of funds, but his spell at Bradford was cut short after just six games, when he broke a rib. Black was released by Palace in May 2007 and on 3 July signed for Southend United on a Bosman transfer, rejecting the chance to join Watford. He was released by Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
at the end of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. This was followed by a short spell at Stevenage Borough before joining Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
in January 2009, where he played in all five of the club's games during January before he was again released. He signed for Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
in March 2009. He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. Grays' squad was disbanded at the end of the season, however he rejoined the club at the start of the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season. He was released on 31 August, after two substitute appearances.
Black linked up with his former Grays manager, Gary Phillips at Hemel Hempstead Town
Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.
Hemel Hempstead Town are a football club based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division. They are known as the Tudors and play their games at Vauxhall Road...
as a player-assistant manager in September 2009. On 1 April 2010, he joined AFC Hornchurch
A.F.C. Hornchurch
AFC Hornchurch are an English football club based in Hornchurch, Greater London. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Hornchurch Stadium....
.
External links
- Tommy Black photos and stats Sporting-Heroes.net