Full name Thomas Eggleston Name Tommy Eggleston Place of birth Consett, England Role Footballer | Years Team Died January 14, 2004 1937–1946 Derby County | |
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Date of birth (1920-02-21)21 February 1920 Date of death 14 January 2004(2004-01-14) (aged 83) Similar People Harry Catterick, David Moyes, Roberto Martinez, Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell | ||
Thomas "Tommy" Eggleston (21 February 1920 – 14 January 2004) was an English footballer and manager.
Contents
Career
Tommy became a coach and manager, as well as physio, after a playing career interrupted by the Second World War and then ended prematurely by injury. He was also a qualified chiropodist.
His first club was Derby County, whom he joined in 1936, and 10 years later he played a part in helping the Rams to their first, and so far only, FA Cup success.
Although wing-half Tommy was involved in the earlier rounds, he did not play in the final itself, a 4–1 extra-time victory over Charlton Athletic. That same year he moved on to Leicester and in February 1948 was transferred to Watford, for whom he went on to make 177 appearances and score six goals in the Football League. After leaving the club, he became a trainer at Brentford.
When his playing career ended Tommy turned to coaching and was with Sheffield Wednesday before joining ex-Hillsborough boss Harry Catterick at Everton, as well as a brief spell under the management of Neil McBain at Watford.
Tommy was appointed manager of Mansfield Town in July 1967
After three years with the Stags he was tempted by a £10,000-a-week offer to take charge of Greek club Ethnikos Asteras F.C..
Upon his return to England he rejoined Everton.
In December 1973 he was appointed manager of Home Farm F.C.. This was a sort of homecoming for the Eggleston as his wife Frances was from Rathmines. However, after only three months he left the League of Ireland and then turned to physiotherapy. He was with Plymouth Argyle for two and a half years before replacing Brian Simpson at Ipswich Town.
In his first season, he was back at Wembley as Town triumphed in the FA Cup final, Tommy's big moment coming when he tended to goal hero Roger Osborne as he was overcome with emotion and exhaustion after firing past Pat Jennings.
Town's route to Wembley required them to visit Bristol Rovers in the fifth round and on the morning of the game Tommy was enjoying a stroll, something he did every match day.
He came across a man who had collapsed in the street, having apparently suffered a heart attack, and Tommy quickly administered the kiss of life.
He formed a close working relationship with Catterick and the pair's combined efforts helped Everton to the League Championship in 1963 and the FA Cup three years later.
Ironically, Catterick collapsed and died after the FA Cup quarter-final at between Everton and Ipswich at Goodison Park in March 1985, when Tommy was present.