Tommy Lawton - NCFC and England center forward - fascinating historical view.

[upthemaggies]

It's a real shame it didn't work out for him in either of his subsequent returns to Notts. Second time around from late 68 it seems things were going quite well with his scouting, I think he was responsible for bringing in Jon Nixon and one or two others who helped to begin to turn things around before Sirrel arrived and shifted us into top gear. Within weeks of his appointment Sirrel decided he didn't want Lawton, preferring to do the job Tommy was doing himself. It was reported in Jan 1970 that he'd signed on the dole, then his financial problems followed a few years later. No wonder he became so disillusioned with the game. It is criminal that we didn't name a stand after him in the 90s, but I guess that one disastrous season as manager soured the memories of those who supported the club through the 40s/50s enough not to push for the honour to be made

[cypruspie]

saw him play 1948 don't know which team taken down by family friend starting from Lenos Hyson green to market Sq. then bus to Trent Bridge finished up at the front via over heads of folks cryed my eyes out when game finished until Mr smith picked me up to take me home

[i961pie]

He kept the Magna Carta at Lowdham for a while but it wasn't a success. He used to come to Bulwell to the Masons arms (my dad's local) in the 60s he was a mate of the landlord but was having financial problems and was gaining a negative reputation.
When he was really at his lowest his old mate Joe Mercer heard about it and arranged a charity match for him which raised about £6,000 which was a lot in those days.
He later got a job writing a column for the Nottingham post.

[Lullapie]

It's a shame how many former footballing greats were just left by the wayside. I remember reading about Booby Moore's financial problems after he finished with football. There were so many.

[Mark_Ross]

It's a shame how many former footballing greats were just left by the wayside. I remember reading about Booby Moore's financial problems after he finished with football. There were so many.

A different era, those far, far off days....
Crowds - unfathomably huge.
Player wages - remarkably small.

If he'd been around in the 21st century TL would've been a millionaire many times over.

[ThaiPie]

A different era, those far, far off days....
Crowds - unfathomably huge.
Player wages - remarkably small.

If he'd been around in the 21st century TL would've been a millionaire many times over.

The story below highlights the hypocrisy. Bobby Moore was ejected from a West Ham game after his playing days for not having a ticket. England's only ever World Cup Winning Captain! He would be handsomely paid these days as a hospitality host.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-West-Ham.html

[Lullapie]

A different era, those far, far off days....
Crowds - unfathomably huge.
Player wages - remarkably small.

If he'd been around in the 21st century TL would've been a millionaire many times over.

Good post. It was more of a working class game then. With many sports people today, they've been giving deity-type status - at the end of the day they are just talented at their jobs and people like to pay a lot of money to watch them.

[The Dug Out]

He kept the Magna Carta at Lowdham for a while but it wasn't a success. He used to come to Bulwell to the Masons arms (my dad's local) in the 60s he was a mate of the landlord but was having financial problems and was gaining a negative reputation.
When he was really at his lowest his old mate Joe Mercer heard about it and arranged a charity match for him which raised about £6,000 which was a lot in those days.
He later got a job writing a column for the Nottingham post.

After "leaving" the Magna Carta in Lowdham he was hooked in by a guy named De'ath (that might be splelt wrong) he was persuaded to go into business and buy the Horse & Jockey which was in the centre of Bulwell, it was a loser and he lost more money. I used to sit with Tommy in his later years at the Oakleigh Lodge on Highbury Vale which was a HQ (?) for NCFC supporters. He was a decent bloke who got talked into many wrong decisions after his football career ended.

[i961pie]

After "leaving" the Magna Carta in Lowdham he was hooked in by a guy named De'ath (that might be splelt wrong) he was persuaded to go into business and buy the Horse & Jockey which was in the centre of Bulwell, it was a loser and he lost more money. I used to sit with Tommy in his later years at the Oakleigh Lodge on Highbury Vale which was a HQ (?) for NCFC supporters. He was a decent bloke who got talked into many wrong decisions after his football career ended.

The Oakleigh Lodge happy days. I used to be a member there for over 25 years when I lived off Highbury Vale. My mum and dad were regulars until they passed on and my sister and husband are still members and go every Thursday even though they live in Wollaton.
They have a regular Northern soul night on a Friday. Mum sold poppies for the British legion for many years standing outside in freezing weather.

[maddogslater]

Had some business dealings with De'ath in mid 80's, he was then the licensee of the Hoarse and jockey, personally I found him a straight guy and he also helped me in my business.
Tommy used to frequent the Lion on clumber St in the 80s, my wife got his autograph for me in there