Tommy Northcott
Encyclopedia
Thomas Theodore "Tommy" Northcott (born 5 December 1931 in Torquay
, died 26 September 2008) was an English professional footballer. Although he played for several clubs during his career, Northcott is particularly remembered for his time at Torquay United
, where he is regarded as one of the clubs all-time greats and Lincoln City
where he was voted as one of their 100 league legends in 2006. He played twice for England
at Youth level, against Scotland
and Wales
.
on his 17th birthday. He made his debut in April 1949 against Northampton Town
. Within two years he had established himself in the Torquay side and for a short time had a successful forward line partnership with Sammy Collins
.
He also completed his apprenticeship as a plumber
and did his National Service
before signing for Cardiff City
in October 1952, as part of an agreement between the club and Torquay that Cardiff received first option on their players in exchange for regular loan deals. He was put straight into the side and over the following three seasons he established himself in the First Division, scoring some vital goals for the club.
He left Cardiff in July 1955 to sign for Lincoln City
for a fee of £3000, making his debut on 20 August 1955 against Blackburn Rovers
. He scored twenty times that season, taking over as the Imps' main striker when Andy Graver
was sold to Stoke City
, and spent three years with Lincoln before deciding to return to the South-West of England. Despite interest from both Exeter City
and Plymouth Argyle
, Torquay manager Eric Webber
secured Northcott's services in November 1957 for a fee of £5,000.
He again teamed up with Sammy Collins, but also played alongside his younger brother George
, a central defender. He scored 13 times during the remainder of the 1957-58 season, twenty the following season and 15 in the 1959-60 season as Torquay won promotion to the Third Division. In 1963 Torquay signed Robin Stubbs
from Birmingham City
and Northcott quickly established a fruitful relationship with him. The pair scored over 100 goals over the next three seasons and in 1966 helped Torquay to promotion back to the Third Division. However, he was released by manager Frank O'Farrell
at the end of that promotion season.
He joined non-league Bridgwater Town
and playing alongside former Torquay teammate Ernie Pym
helped Bridgwater to the Western League title in 1968. He later played for Barnstaple Town
, before ending his career in local football.
On retirement from Football, Northcott ran a plumbing and central heating business in Torquay, but spent his last few years suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
.
He died in Torquay in September 2008 from Alzheimers, leaving his widow, Margaret, three daughters, one of whom married Torquay defender Peter Darke
, five granddaughters and a great grandson. His funeral at Torquay Crematorium was marked by a long period of applause and attendees included a number of his former teammates, his former manager Frank O'Farrell and Torquay's current board of directors.
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, died 26 September 2008) was an English professional footballer. Although he played for several clubs during his career, Northcott is particularly remembered for his time at Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, where he is regarded as one of the clubs all-time greats and Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
where he was voted as one of their 100 league legends in 2006. He played twice 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...
at Youth level, 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...
and 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...
.
Career
Northcott was from the Barton area of Torquay and began his career with local club Hele Spurs before joining his hometown Football league club Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on his 17th birthday. He made his debut in April 1949 against Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
. Within two years he had established himself in the Torquay side and for a short time had a successful forward line partnership with Sammy Collins
Sammy Collins
Ronald Dudley 'Sammy' Collins was an English professional footballer. He holds the record for most league goals scored by a Torquay United player....
.
He also completed his apprenticeship as a plumber
Plumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
and did his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
before signing for 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...
in October 1952, as part of an agreement between the club and Torquay that Cardiff received first option on their players in exchange for regular loan deals. He was put straight into the side and over the following three seasons he established himself in the First Division, scoring some vital goals for the club.
He left Cardiff in July 1955 to sign for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
for a fee of £3000, making his debut on 20 August 1955 against 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....
. He scored twenty times that season, taking over as the Imps' main striker when Andy Graver
Andy Graver
Andrew Martin "Andy" Graver is an English former footballer who scored 158 goals from 323 games playing in the Football League for Newcastle United, Lincoln City, Leicester City and Stoke City. Graver is Lincoln City's all-time leading scorer, and topped the poll as the club's supporters voted for...
was sold to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, and spent three years with Lincoln before deciding to return to the South-West of England. Despite interest from both Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
and Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, Torquay manager Eric Webber
Eric Webber
Eric Victor Webber was an English footballer, playing as a centre-half, and manager.-Early days:Although he was born at Shoreham in West Sussex, Webber's family moved into Hampshire when he was a child and he played for Fareham Senior School, before joining Fareham Town and then Gosport Borough...
secured Northcott's services in November 1957 for a fee of £5,000.
He again teamed up with Sammy Collins, but also played alongside his younger brother George
George Northcott
George Edward Northcott is an English former professional footballer.Northcott joined Torquay United, where his elder brother Tommy was already an established first team player, as a junior. He turned professional in October 1952, but had to wait until the 1954-55 season for his league debut...
, a central defender. He scored 13 times during the remainder of the 1957-58 season, twenty the following season and 15 in the 1959-60 season as Torquay won promotion to the Third Division. In 1963 Torquay signed Robin Stubbs
Robin Stubbs
Robin Gregory Stubbs is an English former professional footballer, born in Quinton, Birmingham, who played as a centre forward...
from Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
and Northcott quickly established a fruitful relationship with him. The pair scored over 100 goals over the next three seasons and in 1966 helped Torquay to promotion back to the Third Division. However, he was released by manager Frank O'Farrell
Frank O'Farrell
Francis 'Frank' O'Farrell is an Irish former football player and manager.-Early:Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy Moroney to West Ham United in January 1948. A quietly spoken, but nonetheless determined and talented wing-half,...
at the end of that promotion season.
He joined non-league Bridgwater Town
Bridgwater Town F.C.
Bridgwater Town Football Club are a football club from Bridgwater, Somerset, England. The original version of the club was founded in 1898. They currently play in the Southern League Division One South and West. The club plays their home games at Fairfax Park...
and playing alongside former Torquay teammate Ernie Pym
Ernie Pym
Ernest Frederick Pym was an English professional footballer who played all of his professional career as a left-winger for his local side Torquay United. He joined Torquay in September 1957 from local side St...
helped Bridgwater to the Western League title in 1968. He later played for Barnstaple Town
Barnstaple Town F.C.
Barnstaple Town F.C. is a football club that play in Barnstaple, Devon, England. They are currently members of the Western League, a league covering south western England....
, before ending his career in local football.
On retirement from Football, Northcott ran a plumbing and central heating business in Torquay, but spent his last few years suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
.
He died in Torquay in September 2008 from Alzheimers, leaving his widow, Margaret, three daughters, one of whom married Torquay defender Peter Darke
Peter Darke
Peter Darke is a retired English footballer who played as a full back.He began his career as an apprentice with Plymouth Argyle, having been spotted playing for Exeter Schoolboys. He made his debut in August 1971 at the age of 17, and went on to make 107 appearances in all competitions during his...
, five granddaughters and a great grandson. His funeral at Torquay Crematorium was marked by a long period of applause and attendees included a number of his former teammates, his former manager Frank O'Farrell and Torquay's current board of directors.