Tommy Sale
Encyclopedia
Thomas Sale was an English
footballer who played as a striker
. Born in Stoke-on-Trent
, Sale had two spells at his home town club, Stoke City, amassing 483 appearances, either side of a two year stint at Blackburn Rovers. Later in his career, he had brief spells at Northwich Victoria and Hednesford Town, before opting to retire at the age of 39.
factory. In conjunction with his work, he played football for Stoke St Peter's (a youth side that were linked with Stoke City). His performances attracted the attention of Tom Mather
, Stoke City's manager. In August 1929, at the age of 19, he signed with Stoke City on amateur terms.
. By the 1932-33 season
, Sale had established himself as a prominent member of the team, helping Stoke win the Second Division
with 11 goals in 21 appearances. In the following two seasons, Sale was the club's top scorer. He scored 17 times in the 1933-34 season
, in which Stoke finished 12th in the First Division
. In the subsequent season, 1934-35
, Sale scored 21 goals, helping Stoke to a 10th place finish in the First Division.
, Tom Mather
's successor as Stoke manager, sold Tommy Sale to Blackburn Rovers in March 1936, for the sum of £6,000. This surprised supporters at the time, however McGory had confidence in Freddie Steele
, who he had earmarked as a potential replacement for Sale. Sale spent two years at Blackburn before departing. Blackburn were relegated from the First Division in his first season at the club, 1935-36
, finishing bottom of the table. He left the club halfway through the subsequent season, 1936-37
, in which Blackburn finished 12th in the Second Division.
. The 1939-40 season
was suspended due to the outbreak of World War II
, however Sale continued his goalscoring exploits with 56 goals (in all competitions) in 1941-42
and then 64 goals over the course of two seasons: 1943-44
and 1944-45
. In the latter of these two seasons, Sale netted six times in an 8–0 win over Walsall
. Despite most of his goals coming from open play, Sale was a Penalty
specialist; it is reported Sale only missed one penalty in his entire professional career. Sale's last appearance for Stoke came on 8 April 1946, at the age of 35, in a League game against Sheffield United at Stoke's home ground, the Victoria Ground
. Following his departure from Stoke, Sale had two spells at Northwich Victoria and Hednesford Town before announcing his retirement in 1949, at the age of 39.
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 played as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. Born in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
, Sale had two spells at his home town club, Stoke City, amassing 483 appearances, either side of a two year stint at Blackburn Rovers. Later in his career, he had brief spells at Northwich Victoria and Hednesford Town, before opting to retire at the age of 39.
Early life
As a fourteen year old, Tommy Sale worked in a PotteryPottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
factory. In conjunction with his work, he played football for Stoke St Peter's (a youth side that were linked with Stoke City). His performances attracted the attention of Tom Mather
Tom Mather
Tom Mather , was a football player and manager.-Career:Mather was assistant secretary of both Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers before taking the manager's job at Bolton at the beginning of the First World War, remaining at the club until 1915 when he was called up by the Royal Navy...
, Stoke City's manager. In August 1929, at the age of 19, he signed with Stoke City on amateur terms.
Stoke City
In May 1930, Sale signed a professional contract with Stoke City. On Christmas day, 25 December, of the same year, Sale made his senior début in a match against Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. By the 1932-33 season
1932-33 in English football
The 1932–33 season was the 58th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, Sale had established himself as a prominent member of the team, helping Stoke win 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...
with 11 goals in 21 appearances. In the following two seasons, Sale was the club's top scorer. He scored 17 times in the 1933-34 season
1933-34 in English football
The 1933–34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, in which Stoke finished 12th in the First Division
Football 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....
. In the subsequent season, 1934-35
1934-35 in English football
The 1934–35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Arsenal become only the second team to win the League three consecutive times.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, Sale scored 21 goals, helping Stoke to a 10th place finish in the First Division.
Blackburn Rovers
Bob McGroryBob McGrory
Robert McGrory was a Scottish footballer who played as a defender. After starting his career at Dumbarton, he later moved to the English club Burnley where he made three appearances. In 1921, he moved to First Division side Stoke City where he made 511 appearances as a full-back. He later became a...
, Tom Mather
Tom Mather
Tom Mather , was a football player and manager.-Career:Mather was assistant secretary of both Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers before taking the manager's job at Bolton at the beginning of the First World War, remaining at the club until 1915 when he was called up by the Royal Navy...
's successor as Stoke manager, sold Tommy Sale to Blackburn Rovers in March 1936, for the sum of £6,000. This surprised supporters at the time, however McGory had confidence in Freddie Steele
Freddie Steele (footballer)
Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title...
, who he had earmarked as a potential replacement for Sale. Sale spent two years at Blackburn before departing. Blackburn were relegated from the First Division in his first season at the club, 1935-36
1935-36 in English football
The 1935–36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English League while wearing striped jerseys...
, finishing bottom of the table. He left the club halfway through the subsequent season, 1936-37
1936-37 in English football
The 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, in which Blackburn finished 12th in the Second Division.
Second spell at Stoke City
Bob McGrory, Stoke's manager, re-signed Tommy Sale for Stoke in March 1938, initially as cover for Freddie Steele, who was injured at the time. Following his return, Sale scored five goals in three games, as he set about regaining his place in the team. He re-established his place in the side, as he scored 18 further goals in the remainder of the 1938-39 season1938-39 in English football
The 1938–39 season was the 64th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
. The 1939-40 season
1939-40 in English football
The 1939–1940 season was the 65th season of competitive football in England. It was suspended in September after the outbreak of World War II.-Overview:...
was suspended due to the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, however Sale continued his goalscoring exploits with 56 goals (in all competitions) in 1941-42
1941-42 in English football
The 1941–42 season was the third season of special wartime football in England during World War II.-Overview:Between 1939 and 1946 normal competitive football was suspended in England. Many footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many teams were depleted, and fielded guest players...
and then 64 goals over the course of two seasons: 1943-44
1943-44 in English football
The 1943–44 season was the fifth season of special wartime football in England during World War II.-Overview:Between 1939 and 1946 normal competitive football was suspended in England. Many footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many teams were depleted, and fielded guest players...
and 1944-45
1944-45 in English football
The 1944–45 season was the fifth season of special wartime football in England during World War II.-Overview:Between 1939 and 1946 normal competitive football was suspended in England. Many footballers signed up to fight in the war and as a result many teams were depleted, and fielded guest players...
. In the latter of these two seasons, Sale netted six times in an 8–0 win over Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. Despite most of his goals coming from open play, Sale was a Penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
specialist; it is reported Sale only missed one penalty in his entire professional career. Sale's last appearance for Stoke came on 8 April 1946, at the age of 35, in a League game against Sheffield United at Stoke's home ground, the Victoria Ground
Victoria Ground
Victoria Ground may refer to:*Victoria Ground, the former name of Hartlepool United’s ground Victoria Park.*Victoria Ground, Stoke City’s ground from 1878 to 1997.*Victoria Ground, current home of Bromsgrove Rovers...
. Following his departure from Stoke, Sale had two spells at Northwich Victoria and Hednesford Town before announcing his retirement in 1949, at the age of 39.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 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... |
1930–31 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 5 |
| 1931–32 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 9 | |
| 1932–33 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 11 | |
| 1933–34 | 32 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 36 | 17 | |
| 1934–35 | 36 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 24 | |
| 1935–36 | 32 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 37 | 15 | |
| Total | 162 | 75 | 18 | 5 | 180 | 80 | |
| 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.... |
1936–37 | | | |||||
| 1937–38 | | | ||||||
| Total | 65 | 29 | 65 | 29 | |||
| 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... |
1937–38 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
| 1938–39 | 34 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 18 | |
| Total | 42 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 23 | |
| Career Total | 269 | 127 | 18 | 5 | 287 | 132 | |