MacKenzie Tom Image 2 Heart of Midlothian 1948

Description

Edinburgh born left back Tom (or Tam) MacKenzie began his football career with local clubs Pentland Rovers and Haddington Athletic in the early years of the Second World War before joining hometown Scottish League club Heart of Midlothian in 1942, playing wartime football in 1941-42 and 1942-43 for Hearts, and after the end of his Army service in The Royal Scots in Burma during the Second World War, making his Scottish League debut against Partick Thistle in August 11946. He signed professional forms in January 1947 and formed a lengthy full back partnership with Bobby Parker who joined in April 1947. MacKenzie enjoyed particular success in his personal battles against one of Scotland’s most famous right wingers of the time, Hibernian’s Gordon Smith. Despite Hibs enjoying great success in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, it was MacKenzie’s effective shackling of Smith ensuring that Hearts enjoyed the upper hand in Edinburgh derby matches of the era. McKenzie captained Hearts during the 1949-50 season.

He was part of Hearts’ most successful period was under former player turned manager Tommy Walker from the early 1950’s to mid 1960s. He won the Scottish League Championship in 1958 having been a runner up in 1954 and 1957, the Scottish Cup in 1956 when they beat Celtic in the Final at Hampden Park, and the Scottish League Cup5, and the club also finished inside the League’s top four positions for 11 consecutive seasons between 1949-50 and 1959-60.

He played his last match for Hearts in a friendly 3-3 draw against South Africa in March 1958, having scored 4 goals in 286 matches for The Jambos, In May 1959 he joined Wisbech Town and in July 1960 he became player-manager of March Town, his final club before his retirement.