{{short description|Scottish footballer (1905–1993)}} {{for|the American basketball player|Tom Callahan}} {{other people||Thomas Callaghan (disambiguation){{!}}Thomas Callaghan}} {{Use British English|date=December 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Tom Callaghan |image = |image_size = |caption = |fullname = Thomas Tallett Callaghan<ref name=litsterprewar>{{cite journal|title=A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players|author=John Litster|publisher=Scottish Football Historian magazine|date=October 2012}}</ref> |birth_date = 1905<ref>[https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results?search_type=people&dl_cat=statutory&dl_rec=statutory-births&surname=callaghan&surname_so=exact&forename=thomas%20tallett&forename_so=starts&sex=M&record_type=stat_births Statutory registers – Births – Search results], ScotlandsPeople</ref> |birth_place = Govan, Scotland |death_date = {{death year and age|1993|1905}}<ref>[https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results?search_type=people&surname=callaghan&surname_so=exact&forename=thomas%20tallett&forename_so=starts&record_type=stat_deaths Statutory registers – Deaths – Search results], ScotlandsPeople</ref> |death_place = Glasgow, Scotland |height = |position = Outside forward |youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = |years1 = |clubs1 = St Anthony's |caps1 = |goals1 = |years2 = 1924–1927 |clubs2 = Third Lanark |caps2 = 37 |goals2 = 3 |years3 = 1925 |clubs3 = → Nithsdale Wanderers (loan) |caps3 = |goals3 = |years4 = 1926–1927 |clubs4 = → Dunfermline Athletic (loan) |caps4 = 18 |goals4 = 4 |years5 = 1927–1928 |clubs5 = Middlesbrough |caps5 = 0 |goals5 = 0 |years6= 1928–1932 |clubs6 = Third Lanark |caps6 = 28 |goals6 = 3 |years7 = 1930–1932 |clubs7 = → Glentoran (loan) |caps7 = |goals7 = |years8 = 1932–1933 |clubs8 = Darlington |caps8 = 2 |goals8 = 0 |years9 = 1933 |clubs9 = Raith Rovers |caps9 = 8 |goals9 = 0 |years10= 1934 |clubs10 = Brechin City |caps10 = 1 |goals10 = 0 }}

'''Thomas Tallett Callaghan''' (1905–1993) was a footballer who played as an outside forward in the Scottish League for Third Lanark and Dunfermline Athletic, in the Irish League for Glentoran, in the English Football League for Darlington and in Scottish Junior football for St Anthony's.

==Football career==

Callaghan played football for junior club St Anthony's<ref name=DebutDunf>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19261226/071/0015 |title=Dunfermline's first home goal in ten weeks |author=Harrier |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=26 December 1926 |page=15 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> before moving into the senior ranks with Third Lanark in June 1924.<ref name=litsterprewar/> He represented the club in off-season five-a-side tournaments,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19250531/110/0012 |title=Record broken at Celtic Park. Shettleston Harriers successful meeting |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=31 May 1925 |page=12 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> was in their Second Division team by September 1925,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19250927/096/0013 |title=Ayr meet their match at Boghead |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=27 September 1925 |page=13 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> scored in a 4–3 win against Dunfermline Athletic in November,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19251102/113/0011 |title=Dunfermline make game fight |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |location=Dundee |date=2 November 1925 |page=11 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and later that month, "spelt danger every time he got away" as Thirds beat Armadale 3–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19251129/093/0017 |title=Queen of the South overwhelmed |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=29 November 1925 |page=17 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He helped Thirds take First Division Aberdeen to a replay in the quarter-final of the 1925–26 Scottish Cup,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19260307/088/0017 |title=Aberdeen get a fright. Third Lanark unlucky at Cathkin |author=Kismet |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=7 March 1926 |page=17 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> was "swift and sharp" in a draw with Bathgate in September 1926,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19260919/100/0016 |title=Bathgate's breezy boys |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=19 September 1925 |page=16 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive |quote=Callaghan, swift and sharp, was the best forward.}}</ref> and was often picked out as the best of Thirds' not always top-class forwards.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19260404/108/0017 |title=Ayr pinch a point at Cathkin. All about the play and the men who played |author=Captain Bob |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=4 April 1926 |page=17}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19261108/121/0007 |title=Raith Rovers still on winning tack |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |location=Dundee |date=8 November 1926 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive |quote=Only Gibson and Callaghan of Third Lanark showed anything like as much penetrativeness or skill as the five Raith forwards.}}</ref>

In December, First Division Dunfermline took Callaghan on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut in a draw with Morton, controlling the ball well and creating two scoring chances that were not taken.<ref name=DebutDunf/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19261223/108/0006 |title=Raith Rovers sign a back. Dunfermline also on the track |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=23 December 1926 |page=6 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He played regularly, scoring twice in a 4–3 defeat of Dundee, and creating one goal and scoring another in a 4–4 draw with Dundee United a few days later.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19270217/104/0006 |title=Dunfermline's well earned points |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=17 February 1927 |page=6}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000566/19270227/114/0017 |title=Precious point for Tannadice. Skinner on the dot for Dunfermline |author=Kestrel |newspaper=The Sunday Post |location=Dundee |date=27 February 1927 |page=17 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> At the end of the season, Callaghan went south to England, where he signed for Football League First Division club Middlesbrough.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19270527/066/0015 |title=Sporting items |newspaper=Daily Mail |location=Hull |date=27 May 1927 |page=15 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He scored in a friendly against an Army XI,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19271006/113/0006 |title=Sweeping Irish changes. The Army routed |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=6 October 1927 |page=6 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> but never managed to break into the league side,<ref name=Joyce>{{cite book |last=Joyce |first=Michael |title=Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 |publisher=SoccerData |location=Nottingham |page=46 |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-899468-67-6}}</ref> and rejoined Third Lanark,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000475/19280615/143/0007 |title=En passant |newspaper=Arbroath Herald |date=15 June 1928 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> who had been promoted in his absence. He went straight into the first team for the new season,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19280816/100/0007 |title=In the World of Sport. Clash of promoted clubs |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |location=Dundee |date=16 August 1928 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> scored in a 4–0 win against Airdrie in early September,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19280903/174/0010 |title=Football. High scoring in the leagues |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=3 September 1928 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and soon afterwards sustained an injury sufficiently serious for his club to sign a replacement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19280914/121/0011 |title=All the latest about to-morrow's games |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |location=Dundee |date=14 September 1928 |page=11 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> His return to fitness was not accompanied by a return to the first team. He was in and out of the side for what remained of the season,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19281022/147/0010 |title=Aberdeen "A" stand alone |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=22 October 1928 |page=10}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19281210/147/0008 |title=Montrose lucky to draw |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=10 December 1928 |page=8}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19281226/120/0007 |title=Welcome points for Dundee |newspaper=Evening Telegraph |location=Dundee |date=26 December 1928 |page=7}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000452/19290111/068/0003 |title=To-morrow's sport. In the west |newspaper=Edinburgh Evening News |date=11 January 1929 |page=3}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19290402/153/0010 |title=Third Lanark's plight |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=2 April 1929 |page=10 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> at the end of which he was transfer-listed at a reduced fee.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19290627/102/0013 |title=Scottish players on transfer list |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=27 June 1929 |page=13 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>

His fee was again reduced in the 1930 close season,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19300807/123/0007 |title=Dundee United sign three players |author=Don John |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=7 August 1930 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> but with no takers. He was one of several Scottish players to help Glentoran win the 1930–31 Irish League title,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19310107/143/0008 |title=Millwall want Muir of Montrose |author=Don John |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=7 January 1931 |page=8 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19310120/126/0008 |title=Big shuffle trial teams |author=Don John |newspaper=Courier and Advertiser |location=Dundee |date=20 January 1931 |page=8 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and eventually he returned to England, where he signed for Darlington in November 1932.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19321111/171/0009 |title=Sailors don't care! Darlington's new man |author=T.F. |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=West Hartlepool |date=11 November 1932 |page=9 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He played twice in the Third Division North and once in the FA Cup before losing his place to Charles Coates, and his contract was cancelled in January 1933.<ref name=Joyce/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19321124/163/0007 |title=T.F.'s Sports Notes. "Quakers'" cup team |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=West Hartlepool |date=24 November 1932 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19321201/166/0007 |title=T.F.'s Sports Notes. Eden in "Quakers'" team |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=West Hartlepool |date=1 December 1932 |page=7 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19330117/394/0015 |title=Two London clubs fined. Benefits and registrations of players |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=17 January 1933 |page=15 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He returned to Scotland, where he played for Raith Rovers then Brechin City for brief spells.<ref name=litsterprewar/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Callaghan, Tom}} Category:1905 births Category:Date of birth missing Category:1993 deaths Category:Date of death missing Category:Scottish men's footballers Category:Footballers from Glasgow Category:People from Govan Category:Men's association football wingers Category:St Anthony's F.C. players Category:Third Lanark A.C. players Category:Nithsdale Wanderers F.C. players Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players Category:Brechin City F.C. players Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players Category:Glentoran F.C. players Category:Darlington F.C. players Category:Scottish Junior Football Association players Category:Scottish Football League players Category:NIFL Premiership players Category:English Football League players Category:20th-century Scottish sportsmen