Tom Poole

Tom Poole

Personal information
Full name	Thomas Poole[1]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Youth career
	Crewe Carriage Works
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1897–1901	Burslem Port Vale	19	(0)
Total		19	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Tom Poole was a footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Burslem Port Vale between 1897 and 1901.

Playing career

Poole played for Crewe Carriage Works before joining Burslem Port Vale as an amateur in October 1897.^[1] He made his debut at the Athletic Ground in a 1–0 defeat by Barnsley St. Peter's in a Midland League match on 9 October.^[1] The goal conceded came as Poole managed to punch an indirect free kick into his own goal; he constantly ran out of his area during the match and did not impress.^[1] Despite this he signed as a professional in 1898 and was utilized as a reserve until January 1900, at which point he became the first choice goalkeeper.^[1] He played 15 Second Division games in the 1899–1900 season after his rival, Herbert Birchenough, was sold on.^[1] He lost his place to Alfred Maybury in September 1900 though, after just two games, and was released at the end of the 1900–01 season.^[1]

Statistics

• Sourced from Tom Poole profile at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Burslem Port Vale	1897–98	Midland League	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	1898–99	Second Division	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	1899–1900	Second Division	15	0	1	0	3	0	19	0
	1900–01	Second Division	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		19	0	1	0	3	0	23	0

References

1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 235. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.