Tom Morris (footballer)

Tom Morris (footballer)

Tom Morris was a professional footballer who played during the 1890s and 1900s, initially for Gantham Rovers and Gainsborough Trinity before making a name for himself as at half-back for Tottenham Hotspur.

Morris played for Tottenham in the first game played at White Hart Lane on 4 September 1899, a friendly, against Notts County F.C. when 5000 spectators turned up to see Spurs win 4 – 1. In 1901 he was part of the FA Cup winning team which beat Sheffield United F.C. 3 –1 in the replay at Burnden Park after drawing 2 – 2 in the first match at Crystal Palace. This was also the first and only time a non-league team won the FA Cup.

Tom Morris made 523 appearances for Spurs including 63 (scoring 3 goals) after the club was elected to the Football League. His playing career lasted 13 years after which he retired but remained a member of the ground staff until his death on 25 April 1942.