Thomas Walker OBE was a Scottish footballer, who played for Heart of Midlothian, Chelsea and the Scotland national team. He later managed Hearts and Raith Rovers before becoming a director of Hearts in his later years. Lauded for his Corinthian spirit and gentlemanly conduct, he is remembered as one of Hearts all-time greats. He has been described as the most influential man ever to be associated with Heart of Midlothian.
Born in Livingston, West Lothian, Tommy had originally harboured an ambition to become a Church of Scotland minister, however his early footballing skills, which saw him recognised by Scotland at schoolboy level, ensured he was destined for a career on the pitch rather than in the pulpit. He played with local sides Berryburn Rangers, Livingston Violet and Broxburn Rangers before joining the Hearts ground staff aged 16 in February 1932. As Scottish clubs could not then officially sign players until the age of 17, he played junior football for Linlithgow Rose until his birthday in May.
A talented and elegant inside-forward, Tommy quickly earned a place in the Hearts first team, helping the side to victory in the 1933 Jubilee edition of the Rosebery Charity Cup, in a season in which they finished 3rd in the league. He was a regular first team player by 1933–34 but despite some emphatic victories, inconsistent form limited Hearts to a sixth-place finish.
In 1934–35, Arsenal expressed interest in signing him, and the potential £12,000 fee mooted would have been a world record. However, despite this interest and a later enquiry from Liverpool, he had by this stage become Hearts marquee player and the threat of a supporters boycott persuaded the Hearts board not to sell.
However, despite scoring 192 league goals for Hearts and playing in sides boasting numerous internationals he was destined not to win a major honour as a player at Tynecastle. The closest Hearts came to success during his period there was a second place league finish in 1937–38.
The outbreak of global hostilities in 1939 led to the cessation of League football in Scotland. Many footballers joined the armed forces, particularly in Edinburgh where few local industries were deemed suitable for reserved occupation status. Tommy joined the Army as a sergeant in the Signals Regiment, and played for the famous Army footballing "All-Stars" team. He also guested for Chelsea, for whom he played several games, during the 1944–45 season. When the war ended, he joined Chelsea permanently The Blues paid Hearts £6,000 for his services in September 1946. His arrival completed the club's impressive new forward line, which also included Tommy Lawton and Len Goulden. He made 105 appearances and scored 24 goals during his two and a half years in west London.
He was among the most popular players ever to serve Chelsea. A player of great skill and a wonderful close dribbler.
He made his debut for Scotland against Wales in 1934, aged only 19, and he was to remain a regular in the side over the following five seasons. In November 1935 he scored his first international goal on familiar territory, helping Scotland defeat Ireland 2–1 at Tynecastle.
His most important performances for Scotland, and those which endeared him most to the Tartan Army, were against England at Wembley. In 1936, when trailing 1–0, Scotland were awarded a late penalty, which he volunteered to take. Twice the young inside forward spotted the ball and twice the swirling wind blew it from the penalty spot. On each occasion, he calmly returned the ball and, displaying nerves of steel, converted the penalty at the third attempt. He later recalled "I cannot even remember at what end of the ground the penalty-kick was given but I vaguely do remember the ball rolling off the spot. I just replaced it and hit it" . Two years later on 9 April 1938, his 5th minute shot from just inside the penalty box was the only goal of the game against England, which also gave Walker the honour of being the first player to score a goal live on television.
He earned a total of 21 caps, during which he scored 9 goals. He scored in five consecutive games from April to December 1938. All but one of these caps were obtained before the age of 25 and had the Second World War not intervened, he would have garnered considerably more. If the ten caps he earned in Wartime Internationals were to count, he would have become the most capped Scottish player. He also won five Scottish League XI caps, scoring two goals.
In December 1948, he left Chelsea to return to Hearts as player-assistant to manager Davie McLean. McLean's intention was that Walker would be a steadying influence in a developing young team. However, after a single emergency appearance standing in at right-half for a regular player in a 1–0 home defeat by Dundee, Tommy wisely retired to concentrate fully on learning the managerial ropes. Tangible progress was made in the League championship in 1949–50, when Hearts finished third. As he had become more influential, McLean was co-opted to the Hearts board of directors on 16 March 1950.
McLean's death on 14 February 1951 saw Tommy promoted to the position of manager. His reign was to prove the most successful period in the club's history. He was always quick to acknowledge the contribution made by McLean and his fatherly interest in the welfare and development of the players.
Tommy completed the set of having won all three major Scottish football trophies with the League championship in 1957–58.
The 1960s saw Hearts fortunes fluctuate as Tommy attempted to adapt to football's tactical changes by implementing a 4–2–4 formation. Young and Thomson departed for Everton in November 1960.
Following a slump in results, Tommy resigned in September 1966. Under his management Hearts had won 7 senior trophies and been runners up in five others.
He returned to Hearts in 1974, their centenary year, assuming a position on the board. The Maroons were struggling to match the standards set by the teams Tommy played in and managed, and it was hoped his appointment would prove a fillip. However, the club's troubles were ingrained, and by the time he retired in 1980, they had experienced relegation for the first time in their history.
Tommy continued to stay in Edinburgh in his later years and took a close interest in Hearts mid-1980s revival. He died at the age of 77, following a short illness, in 1993.
Born in Livingston, West Lothian, Tommy had originally harboured an ambition to become a Church of Scotland minister, however his early footballing skills, which saw him recognised by Scotland at schoolboy level, ensured he was destined for a career on the pitch rather than in the pulpit. He played with local sides Berryburn Rangers, Livingston Violet and Broxburn Rangers before joining the Hearts ground staff aged 16 in February 1932. As Scottish clubs could not then officially sign players until the age of 17, he played junior football for Linlithgow Rose until his birthday in May.
A talented and elegant inside-forward, Tommy quickly earned a place in the Hearts first team, helping the side to victory in the 1933 Jubilee edition of the Rosebery Charity Cup, in a season in which they finished 3rd in the league. He was a regular first team player by 1933–34 but despite some emphatic victories, inconsistent form limited Hearts to a sixth-place finish.
In 1934–35, Arsenal expressed interest in signing him, and the potential £12,000 fee mooted would have been a world record. However, despite this interest and a later enquiry from Liverpool, he had by this stage become Hearts marquee player and the threat of a supporters boycott persuaded the Hearts board not to sell.
However, despite scoring 192 league goals for Hearts and playing in sides boasting numerous internationals he was destined not to win a major honour as a player at Tynecastle. The closest Hearts came to success during his period there was a second place league finish in 1937–38.
The outbreak of global hostilities in 1939 led to the cessation of League football in Scotland. Many footballers joined the armed forces, particularly in Edinburgh where few local industries were deemed suitable for reserved occupation status. Tommy joined the Army as a sergeant in the Signals Regiment, and played for the famous Army footballing "All-Stars" team. He also guested for Chelsea, for whom he played several games, during the 1944–45 season. When the war ended, he joined Chelsea permanently The Blues paid Hearts £6,000 for his services in September 1946. His arrival completed the club's impressive new forward line, which also included Tommy Lawton and Len Goulden. He made 105 appearances and scored 24 goals during his two and a half years in west London.
He was among the most popular players ever to serve Chelsea. A player of great skill and a wonderful close dribbler.
He made his debut for Scotland against Wales in 1934, aged only 19, and he was to remain a regular in the side over the following five seasons. In November 1935 he scored his first international goal on familiar territory, helping Scotland defeat Ireland 2–1 at Tynecastle.
His most important performances for Scotland, and those which endeared him most to the Tartan Army, were against England at Wembley. In 1936, when trailing 1–0, Scotland were awarded a late penalty, which he volunteered to take. Twice the young inside forward spotted the ball and twice the swirling wind blew it from the penalty spot. On each occasion, he calmly returned the ball and, displaying nerves of steel, converted the penalty at the third attempt. He later recalled "I cannot even remember at what end of the ground the penalty-kick was given but I vaguely do remember the ball rolling off the spot. I just replaced it and hit it" . Two years later on 9 April 1938, his 5th minute shot from just inside the penalty box was the only goal of the game against England, which also gave Walker the honour of being the first player to score a goal live on television.
He earned a total of 21 caps, during which he scored 9 goals. He scored in five consecutive games from April to December 1938. All but one of these caps were obtained before the age of 25 and had the Second World War not intervened, he would have garnered considerably more. If the ten caps he earned in Wartime Internationals were to count, he would have become the most capped Scottish player. He also won five Scottish League XI caps, scoring two goals.
In December 1948, he left Chelsea to return to Hearts as player-assistant to manager Davie McLean. McLean's intention was that Walker would be a steadying influence in a developing young team. However, after a single emergency appearance standing in at right-half for a regular player in a 1–0 home defeat by Dundee, Tommy wisely retired to concentrate fully on learning the managerial ropes. Tangible progress was made in the League championship in 1949–50, when Hearts finished third. As he had become more influential, McLean was co-opted to the Hearts board of directors on 16 March 1950.
McLean's death on 14 February 1951 saw Tommy promoted to the position of manager. His reign was to prove the most successful period in the club's history. He was always quick to acknowledge the contribution made by McLean and his fatherly interest in the welfare and development of the players.
Tommy completed the set of having won all three major Scottish football trophies with the League championship in 1957–58.
The 1960s saw Hearts fortunes fluctuate as Tommy attempted to adapt to football's tactical changes by implementing a 4–2–4 formation. Young and Thomson departed for Everton in November 1960.
Following a slump in results, Tommy resigned in September 1966. Under his management Hearts had won 7 senior trophies and been runners up in five others.
He returned to Hearts in 1974, their centenary year, assuming a position on the board. The Maroons were struggling to match the standards set by the teams Tommy played in and managed, and it was hoped his appointment would prove a fillip. However, the club's troubles were ingrained, and by the time he retired in 1980, they had experienced relegation for the first time in their history.
Tommy continued to stay in Edinburgh in his later years and took a close interest in Hearts mid-1980s revival. He died at the age of 77, following a short illness, in 1993.
Thomas Walker OBE was a Scottish footballer, who played for Heart of Midlothian, Chelsea and the Scotland national team. He later managed Hearts and Raith Rovers before becoming a director of Hearts in his later years. Lauded for his Corinthian spirit and gentlemanly conduct, he is remembered as one of Hearts all-time greats. He has been described as the most influential man ever to be associated with Heart of Midlothian.
Born in Livingston, West Lothian, Tommy had originally harboured an ambition to become a Church of Scotland minister, however his early footballing skills, which saw him recognised by Scotland at schoolboy level, ensured he was destined for a career on the pitch rather than in the pulpit. He played with local sides Berryburn Rangers, Livingston Violet and Broxburn Rangers before joining the Hearts ground staff aged 16 in February 1932. As Scottish clubs could not then officially sign players until the age of 17, he played junior football for Linlithgow Rose until his birthday in May.
A talented and elegant inside-forward, Tommy quickly earned a place in the Hearts first team, helping the side to victory in the 1933 Jubilee edition of the Rosebery Charity Cup, in a season in which they finished 3rd in the league. He was a regular first team player by 1933–34 but despite some emphatic victories, inconsistent form limited Hearts to a sixth-place finish.
In 1934–35, Arsenal expressed interest in signing him, and the potential £12,000 fee mooted would have been a world record. However, despite this interest and a later enquiry from Liverpool, he had by this stage become Hearts marquee player and the threat of a supporters boycott persuaded the Hearts board not to sell.
However, despite scoring 192 league goals for Hearts and playing in sides boasting numerous internationals he was destined not to win a major honour as a player at Tynecastle. The closest Hearts came to success during his period there was a second place league finish in 1937–38.
The outbreak of global hostilities in 1939 led to the cessation of League football in Scotland. Many footballers joined the armed forces, particularly in Edinburgh where few local industries were deemed suitable for reserved occupation status. Tommy joined the Army as a sergeant in the Signals Regiment, and played for the famous Army footballing "All-Stars" team. He also guested for Chelsea, for whom he played several games, during the 1944–45 season. When the war ended, he joined Chelsea permanently The Blues paid Hearts £6,000 for his services in September 1946. His arrival completed the club's impressive new forward line, which also included Tommy Lawton and Len Goulden. He made 105 appearances and scored 24 goals during his two and a half years in west London.
He was among the most popular players ever to serve Chelsea. A player of great skill and a wonderful close dribbler.
He made his debut for Scotland against Wales in 1934, aged only 19, and he was to remain a regular in the side over the following five seasons. In November 1935 he scored his first international goal on familiar territory, helping Scotland defeat Ireland 2–1 at Tynecastle.
His most important performances for Scotland, and those which endeared him most to the Tartan Army, were against England at Wembley. In 1936, when trailing 1–0, Scotland were awarded a late penalty, which he volunteered to take. Twice the young inside forward spotted the ball and twice the swirling wind blew it from the penalty spot. On each occasion, he calmly returned the ball and, displaying nerves of steel, converted the penalty at the third attempt. He later recalled "I cannot even remember at what end of the ground the penalty-kick was given but I vaguely do remember the ball rolling off the spot. I just replaced it and hit it" . Two years later on 9 April 1938, his 5th minute shot from just inside the penalty box was the only goal of the game against England, which also gave Walker the honour of being the first player to score a goal live on television.
He earned a total of 21 caps, during which he scored 9 goals. He scored in five consecutive games from April to December 1938. All but one of these caps were obtained before the age of 25 and had the Second World War not intervened, he would have garnered considerably more. If the ten caps he earned in Wartime Internationals were to count, he would have become the most capped Scottish player. He also won five Scottish League XI caps, scoring two goals.
In December 1948, he left Chelsea to return to Hearts as player-assistant to manager Davie McLean. McLean's intention was that Walker would be a steadying influence in a developing young team. However, after a single emergency appearance standing in at right-half for a regular player in a 1–0 home defeat by Dundee, Tommy wisely retired to concentrate fully on learning the managerial ropes. Tangible progress was made in the League championship in 1949–50, when Hearts finished third. As he had become more influential, McLean was co-opted to the Hearts board of directors on 16 March 1950.
McLean's death on 14 February 1951 saw Tommy promoted to the position of manager. His reign was to prove the most successful period in the club's history. He was always quick to acknowledge the contribution made by McLean and his fatherly interest in the welfare and development of the players.
Tommy completed the set of having won all three major Scottish football trophies with the League championship in 1957–58.
The 1960s saw Hearts fortunes fluctuate as Tommy attempted to adapt to football's tactical changes by implementing a 4–2–4 formation. Young and Thomson departed for Everton in November 1960.
Following a slump in results, Tommy resigned in September 1966. Under his management Hearts had won 7 senior trophies and been runners up in five others.
He returned to Hearts in 1974, their centenary year, assuming a position on the board. The Maroons were struggling to match the standards set by the teams Tommy played in and managed, and it was hoped his appointment would prove a fillip. However, the club's troubles were ingrained, and by the time he retired in 1980, they had experienced relegation for the first time in their history.
Tommy continued to stay in Edinburgh in his later years and took a close interest in Hearts mid-1980s revival. He died at the age of 77, following a short illness, in 1993.
Born in Livingston, West Lothian, Tommy had originally harboured an ambition to become a Church of Scotland minister, however his early footballing skills, which saw him recognised by Scotland at schoolboy level, ensured he was destined for a career on the pitch rather than in the pulpit. He played with local sides Berryburn Rangers, Livingston Violet and Broxburn Rangers before joining the Hearts ground staff aged 16 in February 1932. As Scottish clubs could not then officially sign players until the age of 17, he played junior football for Linlithgow Rose until his birthday in May.
A talented and elegant inside-forward, Tommy quickly earned a place in the Hearts first team, helping the side to victory in the 1933 Jubilee edition of the Rosebery Charity Cup, in a season in which they finished 3rd in the league. He was a regular first team player by 1933–34 but despite some emphatic victories, inconsistent form limited Hearts to a sixth-place finish.
In 1934–35, Arsenal expressed interest in signing him, and the potential £12,000 fee mooted would have been a world record. However, despite this interest and a later enquiry from Liverpool, he had by this stage become Hearts marquee player and the threat of a supporters boycott persuaded the Hearts board not to sell.
However, despite scoring 192 league goals for Hearts and playing in sides boasting numerous internationals he was destined not to win a major honour as a player at Tynecastle. The closest Hearts came to success during his period there was a second place league finish in 1937–38.
The outbreak of global hostilities in 1939 led to the cessation of League football in Scotland. Many footballers joined the armed forces, particularly in Edinburgh where few local industries were deemed suitable for reserved occupation status. Tommy joined the Army as a sergeant in the Signals Regiment, and played for the famous Army footballing "All-Stars" team. He also guested for Chelsea, for whom he played several games, during the 1944–45 season. When the war ended, he joined Chelsea permanently The Blues paid Hearts £6,000 for his services in September 1946. His arrival completed the club's impressive new forward line, which also included Tommy Lawton and Len Goulden. He made 105 appearances and scored 24 goals during his two and a half years in west London.
He was among the most popular players ever to serve Chelsea. A player of great skill and a wonderful close dribbler.
He made his debut for Scotland against Wales in 1934, aged only 19, and he was to remain a regular in the side over the following five seasons. In November 1935 he scored his first international goal on familiar territory, helping Scotland defeat Ireland 2–1 at Tynecastle.
His most important performances for Scotland, and those which endeared him most to the Tartan Army, were against England at Wembley. In 1936, when trailing 1–0, Scotland were awarded a late penalty, which he volunteered to take. Twice the young inside forward spotted the ball and twice the swirling wind blew it from the penalty spot. On each occasion, he calmly returned the ball and, displaying nerves of steel, converted the penalty at the third attempt. He later recalled "I cannot even remember at what end of the ground the penalty-kick was given but I vaguely do remember the ball rolling off the spot. I just replaced it and hit it" . Two years later on 9 April 1938, his 5th minute shot from just inside the penalty box was the only goal of the game against England, which also gave Walker the honour of being the first player to score a goal live on television.
He earned a total of 21 caps, during which he scored 9 goals. He scored in five consecutive games from April to December 1938. All but one of these caps were obtained before the age of 25 and had the Second World War not intervened, he would have garnered considerably more. If the ten caps he earned in Wartime Internationals were to count, he would have become the most capped Scottish player. He also won five Scottish League XI caps, scoring two goals.
In December 1948, he left Chelsea to return to Hearts as player-assistant to manager Davie McLean. McLean's intention was that Walker would be a steadying influence in a developing young team. However, after a single emergency appearance standing in at right-half for a regular player in a 1–0 home defeat by Dundee, Tommy wisely retired to concentrate fully on learning the managerial ropes. Tangible progress was made in the League championship in 1949–50, when Hearts finished third. As he had become more influential, McLean was co-opted to the Hearts board of directors on 16 March 1950.
McLean's death on 14 February 1951 saw Tommy promoted to the position of manager. His reign was to prove the most successful period in the club's history. He was always quick to acknowledge the contribution made by McLean and his fatherly interest in the welfare and development of the players.
Tommy completed the set of having won all three major Scottish football trophies with the League championship in 1957–58.
The 1960s saw Hearts fortunes fluctuate as Tommy attempted to adapt to football's tactical changes by implementing a 4–2–4 formation. Young and Thomson departed for Everton in November 1960.
Following a slump in results, Tommy resigned in September 1966. Under his management Hearts had won 7 senior trophies and been runners up in five others.
He returned to Hearts in 1974, their centenary year, assuming a position on the board. The Maroons were struggling to match the standards set by the teams Tommy played in and managed, and it was hoped his appointment would prove a fillip. However, the club's troubles were ingrained, and by the time he retired in 1980, they had experienced relegation for the first time in their history.
Tommy continued to stay in Edinburgh in his later years and took a close interest in Hearts mid-1980s revival. He died at the age of 77, following a short illness, in 1993.
Gravesite Details
Commemorated in Book of Remembrance.
No known memorial.
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