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February 2024
 
 

Tommy Morren

Sheffield United FC

1 appearance, 1 debut goal

P 1 W 1 D 0 L 0 F 3: A 2
100% successful

1898-99

captain: none
minutes played:
90

Timeline

  Thomas Morren
Birth Monday, 27 March 1871 at 47 Dame Dorothy Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, County Durham. Moved to Middlesbrough between 1873-76.
registered in Sunderland April-June 1871

According to the 1871 census, six day old Thomas is the second of two children of Thomas and Margaret Jane (née Kay). They are one of two families who live at 47 Dame Dorothy Street, in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. His Irish father is an iron founder.

According to the 1881 census, Thomas and his sister, Mary Ann, who now have three younger siblings, and his parents now live at 32 Beech Street in Middlesbrough. His father is still an iron founder.

According to the 1891 census, Thomas appears to be the eldest of four children still at home with their parents, still at 32 Beech Street. Both Thomas and his father are ironfounders.

Marriage to Emily Skerry, in summer 1898
registered in Middlesbrough July-September 1898
Children Tommy and Emily Morren had three children together. Emily (b.11 June 1899), Winifred (b.24 August 1900) and Thomas William (b.23 January 1905),
 

(His father died at the start of 1901)
According to the 1901 census, Thomas is now married to Emily and they have two children, Emily and Winifred. They live at 123 Abbeydale Road in Sheffield with his widowed mother, who is also their nurse.
The 1901 White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham confirms Thos. as a professional footballer and living at 123 Abbeydale rd. By 1905, however, he is a newsagent living at 79 Junction Road.

"DEATHS ...MORREN.—On October 8th, at 79, Junction rd, Sheffield, Margaret, widow of the late Thomas Morren, age 64. Internment at Ecclesall, Tuesday, at 3 o'clock." - Sheffield Evening Telegraph, Monday/Tuesday 10th/11th October 1910
 

According to the 1911 census, Thomas is now a newsagent and tobacconist, remaining married to Emily, and now with three children, Thomas being the new addition. They live at 79 Junction Road in Hunters Bar, Sheffield.
The 1911-19 White's Directory of Sheffield confirms Morren's vocation and address

"CUP FINALIST JOINS UP ...A well-known figure in Sheffield football circles twenty years ago. Mr. Thomas Morren, recently received his call under the new Military Service Act, and, despite his forty-five years and the claims of a newsagency business at Hunter's Bar, he waived his right to appeal, and promptly joined the Royal Air Force, leaving Sheffield for his depot on Monday." - The Sheffield Daily Telegraph,  Wednesday 10th July 1918
"REACHES 50th BIRTHDAY ...'Tommy' Morren, one of the most capable and popular half-backs who ever donned the Sheffield United jersery, celebrated his 50th birthday this week." - The Green 'un, Saturday 2 April 1921.
 

According to the 1921 census, Thomas, still a newsagent and tobacconist, and still married, and they still live at 79 Junction Road with their three children.

"TOMMY MORREN ...Old followers of Sheffield United will be pleased to hear that Tommy Morren, one of United's famous midget half-backs, and who formerly played for Middlesbrough, is out and about again. He is not over strong yet, but to-day he travelled with the United party to Middlesbrough to see some friends and reatives." - The Green 'un, Saturday, 5 November 1927.
Death Thursday, 31 January 1929 at 79 Junction Road, Hunter's Bar, Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire
aged 57 years 310 days registered in Ecclesall Bierlow January-March 1929
"DEATHS ...MORREN.—In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Thomas Morren, who died January 31st, 1929On October 8th, at 79, Junction rd, Sheffield, Margaret, widow of the late , age 64. Internment at Ecclesall, Tuesday, at 3 o'clock." - Sheffield Evening Telegraph, Monday/Tuesday 10th/11th October 1910

Obituary

"PASSING OF TOMMY MORREN—MEMBER OF UNITED'S MIDGET HALF-BACK LINE.
"The death occurred, yesterday, at his home, 79, Junction road, Sheffield, of Mr. Thomas Morren, the once famous Sheffield United half-back. Popularly known as 'Tommy.' Mr. Morren had been ailing for some time, and he was widely respected in the Hunter's Bar district wherein he had carried on the business of newsagent for a quarter of a century. Morren came to Bramall lane from a club in the Middlesbrough district and he remained with the United for some years. After giving up the game he retained a great interest in the club's activities and when health permitted was a fairly regular attender at both home and away matches."
- The Sheffield Daily Independent, Friday, 1 February 1929
Funeral: Monday, 4 February 1929 and buried in All Saints' Churchyard, Ecclesall, Sheffield.
"MANY SPORTSMEN AT 'TOMMY' MORREN'S FUNERAL
"There was a large gathering, which included many Sheffield sportsmen, at the funeral at Ecclesall Churchyard yesterday of 'Tommy' Morren. He died at his home in Junction Road, Sheffield, on Thursday. The service was conducted by the Vicar of Ecclesall (the Rev. H. W. Mackay).
"The family mourners, in addition to the widow, were Mr. T. Morren (son), the Misses Emily and Winnie Morren (daughters), Mr. and Mrs. S. Crosby (Middlesbrough, sister and brother-in-law), Mrs. C. Collins (sister, Middlesbrough), Mr. and Mrs. Kay (Doncaster, cousins), Mrs. A. McNeil (sister-in-law, Whitby), Mrs. Walker (sister-in-law, Middlesbrough), Mrs. H. Skerry (sister-in-law, Middlesbrough), Mrs. K. McNeil (niece, Whitby), Mr. M. McNeil (newphew, Whitby), Mrs. J Tanfield (cousin, York), Mr. W. Weddle, Mrs. U. Weddle, Mr. and Mrs. Twome, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Rathmell, Mrs. Holmes, and Mrs. Mrason.
"Representing Sheffield United Football Club was Mr. W. Sissons (chairman) and the players and staff were represented by Mr. Waller (trainer). Mr. Ernest Needham was also present. Other ex-players included Messrs. P. Boyle and B. Wilkinson. Mr. J. R. Smiles, who was chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club when the late Mr. Morren was playing, was also present." -
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Tuesday 5 February 1929.

Picture courtesy of Sheffield United Preservation Society
Probate
"MORREN Thomas of 79 Junction-road Sheffield died 31 January 1929 Probate London 7 March to Emily Morren widow and Emily Morren and Winifred Morren spinsters.
Effects £645 14s. 2d." [2024 equivalent: £33,721]
 

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

"IN MEMORIUM ...MORREN.—In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Thomas Morren, who died January 31st, 1929. From his loving wife and daughter." - Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Friday 31st January 1930 & Saturday 31st January 1931
"DEATHS ...MORREN.—On 29 December, at 79, Junction rd, Sheffield, Emily, dearly beloved wife of the late Thomas Morren, in her 61st year. Internment Wednesday, 2 p.m. Ecclesall Church." - Sheffield Daily Independent,  Monday/Tuesday 1st/2nd January 1934

Playing Career


Club(s)
Started his career with Middlesbrough Victoria FC and Middlesbrough Ironopolis FC. He then joined Middlesbrough FC.. Reading FC wanted to sign Morren, and indeed, expected to, but on his way to the town, the train stopped at Sheffield, whereupon trainer George Waller signed him as a Sheffield United FC player on 25 November 1895 following a trial match, where he remained until his retirement in 1904.
League honours
160 appearances 5 goals
Sheffield United FC 1895-1902 160 appearances, five goals
debut: 30 December 1895 Sheffield United FC 1 Bolton Wanderers FC 0.
last: 31 January 1903 Everton FC 1 Sheffield United FC 1.

Club honours
FA Amateur Cup winners 1894-95;
Football League Champions 1897-98 (26ᵃ 2ᵍ), runners-up 1899-1900 (30ᵃ 2ᵍ);
FA Cup winners 1897-98 (8ᵃ 1ᵍ), runners-up 1900-01 (7ᵃ);
The Sheriff of London's Charity Shield shared 1898;
Individual honours Football League (two appearances)
Distinctions None
Height/Weight 5' 4¼", 10st. 4lbs [1896], 5' 5¼", 10st. 9 or 11lbs [1899].

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of four who became 236th players (237) to appear for England.
Position(s) Centre-half
Only match No. 62, 5 March 1898, Ireland 2 England 3, a British Championship match at Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 26 years 343 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1897-98;
Team honours British Championship winners 1897-98;
Individual honours None
Distinctions Son of an Irishman, Thomas could have featured for Ireland.
Died nine days after Bill Williams

Beyond England

After leaving football, became a Sheffield newsagent until his death. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.179.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
2 1 1 90 1 90 min 1 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 0 0 3 2 100 +1
His only match was played in the British Championship competition and at an away venue

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1897-98 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 0 0 3.00 2.00 100.0 +1
BC 1898-99 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BC All 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 0 0 3.00 2.00 100.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 0 0 3.00 2.00 100.0 +1
1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 0 0 3 2 100 +1

Match History

 Club: Sheffield United F.C. - one full appearance (90 min) 1ᵍ F.A. International Select Committee - one full appearance (90 min) 1ᵍx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 26
1 62 5 March 1898 - Ireland 2 England 3
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast
BC AW 50 ch
 

one of four who became the 236th players (237) to appear for England
the sixth player from Sheffield United FC to represent England
the 43rd player to score on his England debut - the 27th competitive

"It was in 1897-8 that the United won the League Championship for the first and only time and Morren would have played against Scotland as well as Ireland but for a curious mishap. The team were in special training at Lytham and Tom had been persuaded to go for a boat trip. In the boat, he removed his shoe and sock to bathe one of his ankles, which was rather weak, and to do so lay back and let his thigh rest across the gunwhale. Later, when he got up to leave the boat, he felt as if a knife had been driven into his thigh.
"What had happened he never knew. Doctors and specialists were puzzled and no treatment they tried afforded him relief. In consequence, he could not accept an invitation to play against Scotland, and to act as reserve against Wales."
- The Green 'un, Saturday, 2 February 1929


Age 27
67 8 April 1899 - England 2 Scotland 1, Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham BC HW withdrew
 


     

 
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