Chester Tommy Image 2 Bury 1935

Description

Glasgow born right back Tommy Chester started his football career with Cambuslang Rangers in 1923 before joining Bellshill Athletic in 1924 and Baillieston Juniors in 1925. He moved south to join First Division Bury in December 1926 making his Football League debut against Arsenal in May 1927 becoming a first team regular in 1929 after their relegation to the Second Division. Described as “Of the ‘slow but sure’ type, Chester times his tackles admirably, and judges his passes to a nicety”, he missed only one match in 1929-30, and was an ever present in 1931-32, again missing only one match the next season as they finished 5th and 4th respectively, almost always playing for The Shakers at right back. However they were unable to return to the top flight.

He made 264 appearances in ten seasons, however he lost his place in January 1936 and only played 5 more matches for The Shakers before joining Second Division Burnley in March 1937, scoring his only career goal against Bradford Park Avenue that December in a 1-1 draw. He played 56 times for The Clarets, almost all at left back, before joining Notts County in June 1939. However after only one appearance for The Magpies peacetime football was suspended due to the outbreak of The Second World War, and Chester’s career was ended by the conflict.