Lang Tommy Image 3 Newcastle United 1930

Description

Larkhall, Lanarkshire born outside left Tommy Lang played junior football for Larkhall Thistle in 1925, from where he was signed by Newcastle United in October 1926, making his Football League debut at Cardiff City in September 1927, his only appearance that season. However he was given his chance the following season and missed only 4 League games in 1928-29, but it is probably for his contribution in 1931-32 that he will be best remembered. An ever present all season, Lang scored one and created the other in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the 1932 FA Cup semi-final at Leeds Road, Huddersfield, his fourth goal in their 9 game cup run, and then in the Final he helped them to a surprise victory over Arsenal at Wembley by 2 goals to 1, with Jimmy Allen’s double.

Lang left Newcastle for Huddersfield Town in December 1934 after 58 goals in 230 appearances for The Toon, playing for The Terriers for a year before joining Manchester United in December 1935 after 6 goals in 26 appearances. In two years with Manchester United, Lang played just 13 times, scoring once.

Lang joined Swansea Town in April 1937 scoring once in 34 appearances during 1937-38, before he joined Queen of the South in the summer of 1938 as one of the first signings of new manager Jimmy McKinnell Sr. 1938-39 was the first time Queens hit top spot in the Scottish Football League, albeit they eventually finished the season sixth in Scotland’s top division, a feat since equalled only in 1955-56. Lang equal top scored that season with 16 goals, before the Second World War intervened.

After the War, Lang signed for Ipswich Town in October 1946. He played for Ipswich for one season, scoring one goal in five League appearances, before becoming the club’s trainer.

NB the photograph was taken in a match at Aston Villa on 12th April 1930.