Sinclair Tom Image 1 Gateshead 1932

Description

Dalziel, Lanarkshire born right back Tom Sinclair began his football career with Alva Albion Rangers from where he was signed by Glasgow Celtic for £30 in November 1927, making his Scottish League debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Aberdeen  on 25th February 1928, playing at left back. Sinclair made just one more appearance for The Hoops in a 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers in the final match of the season before joining Third Division (North) club South Shields in June, making his Football League debut at Darlington in August 1928.

Sinclair was an ever present for South Shields in the final two seasons before their move to Gateshead and change of name. Indeed he was a virtual ever present for the next two seasons for Gateshead, missing only one match in their 1930-31 campaign and two matches during the 1931-32 campaign as Gateshead finished runners up in the Third Division (North), narrowly missing out on promotion. However after 10 matches of the new season, and whether (most likely) through injury or otherwise, Sinclair lost his place in October 1932 and never played again for The Head after a single goal, scored in a 2-2 draw with Crewe Alexandra in April 1931, in 184 appearances for the combined South Shields/Gateshead club. He later had a trial at Alloa Athletic in 1934 but otherwise his career thereafter is uncertain and it is likely that injury forced him into retirement.

NB the photograph was taken before the League match between Walsall and Gateshead at Fellows Park on 15th October 1932. Walsall won the match 2-0. This proved to be Sinclair’s last match for Gateshead.