Tom Willighan
| File:Tomw.jpg | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Willighan | ||
| Date of birth | 22 March 1903 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 7 July 1936 (aged 33) | ||
| Place of death | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Full back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| pre-1924 | Forth River FC | ||
| 1924–1927 | St. Mary's FC | ||
| 1927-1929 | Willowfield FC | ||
| 1929–1934 | Burnley FC | ||
| International career | |||
| 1932-1933 | Northern Ireland national football team | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Tom (Thomas) Willighan (22 March 1903 - 7 July 1936) was an Irish full-back football player. He was capped twice for the Ireland national football team (Northern Ireland), played five seasons for Burnley FC and won leagues and cups during his early days in his hometown of Belfast.
Early Days
Tom Willighan began his playing career in Belfast for Forth River FC, St Mary's FC and Willowfield FC.
He was captain of the St. Mary's team that won the Steel and Sons Cup in the 1925-26 season, beating Summerfield 4-0 in the final.
After moving to Willowfield FC, he again tasted victory in the Steel and Sons in 1927-28, beating Ormiston 2-1 in a final replay. This was a remarkable season for the club as they won the Irish Cup that year, becoming the first from outside the Irish League to win the Irish Cup since the League's formation in 1890. They defeated Larne 1-0 in the final at Windsor Park. Also that season, Willowfield won the Irish Intermediate League and Irish Intermediate Cup. Four trophies, including the Irish Cup, in one season - an amazing achievement.
Burnley
He moved to English First Division side Burnley in 1929. The team finished in 21st place and were relegated into the Second Division. He played a further four seasons for the club in this division until injury ended his career in the 1933-34 season.
International
Willighan twice represented Ireland (now known as Northern Ireland). On 7 December 1932, he was a defender in the 4-1 defeat to Wales at Wrexham and on 16 September 1933 he was in the starting XI that beat Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow.
Personal Life
Tom Willighan was the third of ten Willighan children born in Cambrai Street, Belfast. Tom married Alice Bradshaw in Burnley in 1934 and witness at his wedding was Burnley team-mate and best friend George Waterfield, along with wife Nellie.
Tragedy struck two years later when Tom died from cancer on 7 July 1936 at the age of 33. His son Thomas Waterfield Willighan was just 5 months old. Thomas Jnr still lives in Burnley with his family.
External links
- Tom Willighan at National-Football-Teams.com
- Clarets Mad - Tom Willighan's caps
- Willighan Family History