Overview
A cousin of Tom Jarvie, Tommy was another Larkhall born player to turn out for the club, albeit during the war years. His birthday was 3rd April 1906. Left school at the age of fourteen to work in the pits. Commenced his footballing career with Larkhall Rechabites. Burnbank Athletic and Larkhall Thistle were his clubs prior to Newcastle United signing him in October 1926. On the 26th of that month he had starred for a Glasgow Junior League side in a match at Shawfield.
In his career at St James’ Park he scored 53 goals in 215 League matches for them. He won an English Cup medal in 1932 against Arsenal after scoring the winner in the semi final against Chelsea. With eight good years behind him he moved to Huddersfield Town in December 1934. There he spent a season and then in an exchange deal he crossed to Manchester United. On leaving Old Trafford he was transferred to Swansea Town.
A year later he returned to Scotland to join Queen of the South and it was while he was one of their players that he appeared on loan to Accies and Motherwell during the war in 1940.
Like a few other English based players during the war he helped out the local Lanarkshire juniors, in his case he appeared for Burnbank Athletic in 1942-43 and part of the following campaign during which he played inside left to his son, Gavin, before being called to the Services.
In October 1946 he went south again to Ipswich Town, retiring at the end of the season. He was 41 years of age when he played his final match for Ipswich. Tommy then became their trainer for a period. Worked with Rolls Royce locally until he retired when he was 65. He died in 1988. His grandson, also Tommy, played a trial for Accies in the early 1960’s.
At 5’7” and 10sts 6lbs he was very mobile and had a surprisingly powerful shot.
Debut on 10th August 1940 in a Southern League match away to Celtic.
Southern League 18 Appearances 2 Goals
Accies Career
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Full Name
Thomas Laing
1940-41
Position
Outside left
Born
3 April 1906
Died
Signed by
Willie McAndrew
Debut
10 August 1940
Last Game
Honours
Clubs Played For
Larkhall Rechabites
Burnbank Athletic
Larkhall Thistle
Newcastle United
Huddersfield Town
Manchester United
Swansea Town
Queen of The South
Hamilton Academical
Motherwell
Burnbank Athletic
Ipswich Town