English footballer, striker. He played for Preston North End Football Club and England.
Thomas Finney was considered one of the most famous and brilliant footballers of his time, and it was a question of what place Thomas Finney occupied among English footballers of the 50s - it was the personal choice of every football fan.
early years
Born in England, City of Preston, the administrative center of Lancashire, located on the Ribble River. In the family of Thomas Finney and Margaret Mitchell. He loved football and dreamed of becoming a football player. He was very short - 145 cm, as a result of which problems appeared. with a physical condition. For this reason, they did not want to take Tom Finney to football schools. But fate turned to face Thomas, his father was friends with the coach of the local club Preston, who supported Thomas Finney all his adult life, and there he was overlooked.
The bosses of the team were impressed after seeing the young talented football player and included him in the team as an amateur. Tom played, imitating his idol - James. In one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, he moved to the right edge closer to the attack - a role where he could fully realize his capabilities, and show what he was capable of, although his leading foot was always left, but playing on the right was more comfortable.
Football career
In 1940, Finney signed a professional contract with Preston. There was a war, so the teams could not hold full-fledged competitions, but football life in England did not subside. Finney won his first unofficial war cup tournament, defeating Arsenal, which has been the go-to in Foggy Albion since the 1930s.
Soon after this final, Thomas was drafted into the army, was assigned to the tank forces, the key role was played by Finney's short stature, Thomas said that it was very easy for him to drive a tank. He ended up in Egypt, went through the entire Italian campaign of operations of the anti-Hitler coalition.
Returning from the front, Thomas was able to quickly return to Preston - not only because he was a football player, but because, even before the war, he was educated and mastered the specialty of a plumber, which was highly valued in the city destroyed after the war. Tom Feeney also had the opportunity to play football again and devote part of the time to his favorite game. Thomas worked during the day and went to practice in the evening, and at the beginning of the 1946-47 season he made his debut for Preston in the first match.
Finny was an excellent dribbler, had excellent speed, thanks to her, he could run away from several defenders without obstacles. Thomas got stronger physically, got better on his feet when they tried to take the ball away from him, improved his abilities when playing in the air. All this he brought to Preston after the war. The player's career in the national team also developed excellently.
The goal contribution to the success of Preston was significant - 210 goals scored allowed Thomas Fenny to become the top scorer in the history of the club.
After retirement
- worked as a plumber, as during his career
-1961- becomes an officer of the Kingdom of England
-1992 - becomes Commander of the British Empire
-1998 - awarded the title of knight.
During the last years of his life he worked as president of the English football club Kendal Town.
Thomas Fenny passed away when he was almost 92 years old. Tom Sir is remembered as Preston's greatest footballer, and certainly one of the best in England's history, the club's website wrote.
Preston Street is named after Thomas Fenny.
