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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 |
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 |
|
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 |
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"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
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. |
,%20Tom.jpeg)
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 |
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"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; |
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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 |
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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
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
"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
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