Thomas Blair (24 February 1892 – 28 August 1961) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.[4]
Career
Blair was prominent in the 1910s playing for Kilmarnock,[5] with the culmination of his nine-year spell there being a Scottish Cup win in 1920, lifting the trophy as team captain.[6][7] He then moved to England with Manchester City,[8] spending two years there but only the regular in his position in the second campaign. He played on both sides in the Home Scots v Anglo-Scots international trial and conceded only once in each match,[9][10] but this did not lead on to a full cap for Scotland.
By now in his 30s, Blair accepted an invitation to play in the American Soccer League, appearing for teams including Fall River F.C.[11] and New Bedford Whalers.[12][13] After several years in the United States he returned to Scotland with Ayr United (no league appearances recorded) then spent time in Northern Ireland at Linfield before becoming a coach at Dundee United in 1937. That same year he made a final, emergency SFL appearance in a 7–1 defeat to St Bernard's, aged 45.[14]
References
^The Pilgrim (22 August 1921). "First Division prospects. Manchester City". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 5.
^Mainly About Players. The Scottish Referee, 31 March 1913. Scan via London Hearts Supporters Club
^John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
