Tommy Matthias

{{short description|Welsh footballer}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Tommy Matthias | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Thomas James Matthias | birth_date = {{birth date|1890|11|07 |df=y}} | birth_place = Brynteg, Nr Wrexham, Wales | death_date = < | death_place = Towradgi, New South Wales, Australia | height = {{height|ft=5|in=6+3/4}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Third Division. Northern Section. Wrexham |newspaper=Athletic News |location=Manchester |date=15 August 1921 |page=6}}</ref> | position = Defender | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = | clubs1 = Pentre Broughton | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = | clubs2 = Mold | caps2 = | goals2 = | totalcaps = | totalgoals = | nationalyears1 = 1914–1923 | nationalteam1 = Wales | nationalcaps1 = 12 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | manageryears1 = | managerclubs1 = | medaltemplates = | years3 = | clubs3 = Saltney | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 1910–1911 | clubs4 = Shrewsbury Town | caps4 = | goals4 = | years5 = 1911–1912 | clubs5 = Chester City | caps5 = 26 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 1912–1928 | clubs6 = Wrexham | caps6 = 390 | goals6 = 28 | years7 = 1929 | clubs7 = Whitchurch | caps7 = | goals7 = | years8 = 1930 | clubs8 = Oak Alyn | caps8 = | goals8 = }} '''Thomas James Matthias''' (born 7 November 1890) was a Welsh international footballer who played the majority of his career for his hometown club, Wrexham AFC.

Tommy made his debut for Wrexham in the Birmingham & District League on 7 September 1912 against Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth M. |title=The Racecourse Robins from Adams to Youds |last2=Jones |first2=Peter |year=1999 |isbn=0-952495-01-5 |location=Ynys Mon |pages=212–213}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Peter |title=Wrexham - A Complete Record 1872-1992 |publisher=Breedon Books |year=1992 |isbn=1-873626-19-3 |pages=139}}</ref> Before joining Wrexham, Tommy played for clubs in the local area.<ref name=":0" /> He signed for Shrewsbury Town in 1910<ref name=":0" /> and for Chester City a year later,<ref name=":0" /> before joining Wrexham. During his early career he also worked as a coal miner and kept fit by using a skipping rope while underground.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Over the next 16 seasons, Tommy played 390 league and cup games for Wrexham. His time at the club was interrupted by wartime service during the First World War. He rejoined Wrexham when competitive football restarted after the war. He played in the club's inaugural Football League match in Division 3 North against Hartlepools United on 27 August 1921.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth M. |title=Wrexham Football Club 1982-1950 |last2=Jones |first2=Peter |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |year=2000 |isbn=0-7524-1899-8 |pages=46}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> He won four Welsh Cup Winners Medals and was a losing finalist once.<ref name=":2" />

Tommy made 12 appearances for the Wales national football team between 1914 and 1923. He made his international debut on 28 February 1914 against Scotland and played his last match on 17 March 1923, also against Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wales player database 1872 to 2013 |url=http://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=218 |accessdate=30 April 2016 |publisher=eu-football.info}}</ref> In the 1919-1920 season, Tommy played in all three games for Wales in the British Home Championship, which Wales won.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Samuel |first=Richard |title=The British Home Football Championships 1884-1984 |publisher=Soccer Books Limited |year=2003 |isbn=1-86223-081-1 |location=Cleethorpes |pages=38–42}}</ref> It was only the second time Wales had won the Championship, and included their first ever victory over England since the Championships began in 1884.<ref name=":3" />

During his Wales career, Tommy played alongside Manchester United and Manchester City star, Billy Meredith, and FA Cup-winning Cardiff City Captain, Fred Keenor.<ref name=":3" /> Tommy also played all three games in the 1920-21 British Home Championship, when Wales finished as runners up.<ref name=":3" /> alt=Photo of Tommy Matthias in Wales shirt and international cap|thumb|Tommy Matthias photographed in his Wales shirt and international cap. Photo taken c. 1922. After leaving Wrexham, he played briefly for two amateur clubs. After his playing career ended he worked as a pub landlord<ref name=":2" /> and later as an office caretaker<ref name=":2" /> as well as working as a scout for Wrexham.<ref name=":1" /> In 1964, at the age of 73, he emigrated to Australia where he died in 1965.<ref name=":0" />

== Honours == British Home Championship – 1919-20

Welsh Cup Winner – 1914, 1915, 1921, 1925

Welsh Cup Runner Up – 1920

Inducted into Wrexham AFC Hall of Fame

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthias, Tommy}} Category:1890 births Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players Category:Welsh men's footballers Category:Wales men's international footballers Category:Place of birth missing Category:Year of death missing Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position