Morris Tom Image 2 Leeds City 1910

Description

Caistor, Lincolnshire born centre half Tom Morris began his football career with Haycroft Rovers and played for Grimsby Rovers in 1905 before joining Second Division club Grimsby Town in 1906, making his Football League debut at Leicester Fosse that September, making 30 appearances during a single season at Blundell Park before joining Southern League club Brighton & Hove Albion in the 1907 close season. He scored 3 goals in 29 matches for The Seagulls during 1907-08 and the first half of 1908-09.

Albion manager Frank Scott-Walford took over at Leeds City early in 1908 and signed several of his former Brighton players including Morris in February 1909. Morris formed an essential and powerful component of the Leeds City side over the next three seasons and was appointed club captain in 1911-12.After 3 goals in 109 matches in just over three years, Morris, now approaching the veteran stage, departed Elland Road in May 1913 and joined Midland League club Scunthorpe & Lindsey United as player-coach, accompanied by winger Hugh Roberts. Morris remained there for a year and in May 1914 signed for Southern League club Coventry City, where he was reunited with Frank Scott-Walford.

Morris scored twice in 18 matches for Coventry during the 1914-15 season, however the onset of the First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915. In March 1915 Morris enlisted in The Lincolnshire Regiment. He was serving as a sergeant when he was killed in the Somme sector on 24th March 1918. Morris is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial.