Tom Bromilow

Infobox Football biography
playername = Tom Bromilow


fullname = Thomas George Bromilow
dateofbirth = October 7, 1894
cityofbirth = Liverpool
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|1959|3|4|1894|10|7
cityofdeath = Nuneaton
countryofdeath = England
height =
nickname =
position = Left-Half
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1919-30
clubs = Liverpool
caps(goals) = 341 (11)
nationalyears = 1921-25
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 5 (0)
manageryears = 1932-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-39 1939-45 1946-50
managerclubs = Burnley Crystal Palace Newport County Crystal Palace Leicester City Newport County

Thomas 'Tom' George Bromilow (7 October 1894 – 4 March 1959) was a legendary England international left half who played for Liverpool between 1919 and 1930. He was virtually ever-present during the back-to-back League title triumphs of the early 1920s.

Life and playing career

Born in West Derby, Liverpool, England, Bromilow was signed by Liverpool after the 24 year old turned up at Anfield one afternoon in 1919 asking for a trial. He had only recently been demobilised from the army. George Patterson, the then Liverpool assistant manager, agreed to give him a trial and was impressed by his skill. Tom was signed and a legend was made.

Tom made his debut on the 25 October 1919 at Turf Moor in a Division 1 match against Burnley, a game that the Reds won 2-1, his first goal came in the 57th minute of a 3-0 league victory at Burnden Park over Bolton on the 24 January 1920. Bromilow soon became an established member of the side that was to win back-to-back League titles in the early 1920s. A fine tackler and distributor of the ball, Bromilow was regarded as the brains of the team and blossomed into a full England international within three years of turning professional. He continued to be an influential first team regular until the latter part of the decade, serving the club with distinction and leading by example as team captain.

His England debut came in a British Championship match at Ninian Park, Cardiff on the 14 March 1921 against Wales, the game finished in a goaless draw, his debut was made that little bit easier as team-mates Jack Bamber and Harry Chambers also appeared in the game.

After hanging up his boots he took up a career in coaching and went to coach in Amsterdam during the summer of 1930. Tom later embarked on a managerial career with Burnley, Newport, Crystal Palace (twice) and Leicester City. Tom died suddenly on a train in March 1959 while scouting for Leicester City, on his way home from a cup-tie between Wrexham and Merthyr Tydfil.

Career details

As a player

* Liverpool F.C (1919 - 1930): Position: Left Half, 375 appearances, 11 goals - Two Football League First Division (Level 1) winners medals (1922 and 1923), Charity Shield runners-up medal (1923)
*flagicon|England England (1921 - 1925) 5 caps

As a Manager
* Burnley (1932 -1935)
* Crystal Palace (1935 - 1936) and (1937 - 1939) Football League Third Division South (Level 3) runners-up (1939)
* Newport County A.F.C (1936 - 1937 and 1948-1950)
* Leicester City F.C (1939 -1945) Wartime manager

External links

* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/bromilow/ Liverpool FC Official site]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=550 Player profile at LFChistory.net]
* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs/news/2006/may/19/N152381060519-1143.htm 100 Player Who Shook The Kop No. - 98]