Tommy Sloan (footballer, born 1925)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Sloan | ||
| Date of birth | 13 October 1925 | ||
| Place of birth | Barrhead, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 13 January 2010 (aged 84) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) |
Right winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1942–1946 | Arthurlie | ||
| 1946–1951 | Hearts | 110 | (24) |
| 1951–1957 | Motherwell | 112 | (35) |
| 1957–1960 | Gloucester City | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Thomas Sloan (13 October 1925 – 13 January 2010)
Career
Born in
Sloan's performances with Arthurlie led to his selection for the Scotland Junior international side.[2] They also attracted the attention of several League clubs and in 1945, after a dispute with the Arthurlie management, he signed for Hearts. He agreed, however, to stay with Arthurlie for the duration of their Scottish Junior Cup campaign, eventually helping them to the final, where they lost 2–0 to Fauldhouse United.
Sloan made his debut for Hearts in the
The death of Hearts manager
Within months of their move to Fir Park, the Scottish Cup draw afforded the opportunity for Sloan and Cox to play former club Hearts, in the semi-final at Hampden Park. After two close games were drawn 1–1, the pair enjoyed their revenge on former manager Walker as Motherwell won the second replay 3–1, reaching the final for the fourth time in their history. They had lost all three previous finals, to Celtic (twice) and Clyde, but Sloan helped the Steelmen overcome the weight of history to record a comfortable 4–0 win over Dundee.[3]
Surprisingly, Motherwell suffered their first ever relegation the following year, although in an incredibly tight competition they finished only five points behind fourth-placed Hearts. Sloan stayed with the side despite their demotion, helping them win the Second Division title at the first attempt in 1953–54. He appeared in the Motherwell side that reached the 1954 Scottish League Cup final, but Hearts proved too strong on that occasion, winning 4–2.
Sloan eventually left Motherwell for English non-league side
References
- ^ Tommy Sloan passes away Archived 20 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Heartsfc.co.uk, 16 January 2010.
- ^ ISBN 1-85158-736-5.
- ^ "Cup Final Recollections". Fir Park Corner. 14 March 2005. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
External links
- Appearances at londonhearts.com
- Tommy Sloan's Recollections at Barrhead People's Story Group Website (contains audio file)