Perry Tom Image 2 West Bromwich Albion 1895

Description

West Bromwich born right half Tom Perry began his football career with Christ Church in West Bromwich in 1887, playing for West Bromwich Baptists in 1888 and Stourbridge in 1889 before joining West Bromwich Albion in July 1890, where his older brother Charlie Perry was an established player. He made his Football League debut at Preston North End that September although he didn’t establish himself as a first team regular until November 1892. Between 1894 and 1897 he was an ever present for three successive seasons, missing only 4 games in the two seasons either side of that run, which included an appearance in West Brom’s losing 1895 FA Cup Final team, when they went down to a first minute goal against Aston Villa at The Kennington Oval.

He won his only England cap in a 3-0 win over Wales at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham in March 1898, and also made 3 appearances for The Football League. After eleven seasons with West Bromwich Albion in the top flight, they were relegated to the Second Division in 1901, and Perry joined Aston Villa in October 1901 after 15 goals in 290 appearances for The Baggies. He scored once in 29 appearances for The Villa before his retirement in 1903.

One of five footballing brothers, he was the younger brother of Charlie Perry who also played for West Bromwich Albion and England. Another brother, Walter, played for both West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.