Thomas Bob Image 1 Plymouth Argyle 1946

Description

Born in Stepney in London’s East End, inside forward Thomas was a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. He started out in non league football with Romford in 1936, Hayes in 1937. playing for both Golders Green and Hendon in 1938 before moving to Brentford during the Second World War, where he played regularly during the conflict as well as guesting for West Ham United. He made his official Brentford debut in an FA Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur in January 1946, scoring in a 2-2 draw as The Bees went on to knock Spurs out of the competition before eventually losing to Finalists Charlton Athletic in the 6th round, by when Thomas had made a further 7 appearances. He signed for Plymouth Argyle in April 1946, joining his older brother Dave, who had been Jack Tresadern’s first signing eight years before. Both brothers were exciting and free-scoring forwards who notched up 36 goals between them in the first season of the re-established Second Division, with Bob showing glimpses of excellence at inside-forward, netting 17 times in 42 appearances, two behind brother Dave..

However, Thomas never fully settled in the city, not helped by a lack of housing, which was a significant issue for post-war Plymouth. Leaving Home Park in 1947, he not surprisingly signed for a club in the capital, embarking on a successful spell with Fulham, where he played 176 times and scored 57 goals over the next five seasons and helped The Cottagers win the 1949 Second Division Championship, top scoring with 23 goals in the campaign. Moving across London, he then signed for Crystal Palace in September 1952, where he scored 33 goals in 102 appearances before joining non-league Kettering Town in 1955. A spell with Gravesend & Northfleet in 1957 was followed by a move to Clacton Town in 1959, where he finished his career.

NB in the photograph he is on the left of his older brother Dave, who played for Plymouth Argyle, Watford and Gillingham.