Tommy Rudkin

Thomas William Rudkin (16 June 1919 – 30 April 1969)[1] was an English professional footballer who played as a left winger. He made 50 appearances in the Football League in the years before and after the Second World War.[2]

Tommy Rudkin
Personal information
Full name Thomas William Rudkin
Date of birth (1919-06-16)16 June 1919
Place of birth Peterborough, England
Date of death 30 April 1969(1969-04-30) (aged 49)
Place of death Wisbech, England
Playing position(s) Winger
Youth career
193?–1938 Creswell
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1938–1938 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 (0)
1938–1939 Lincoln City 2 (1)
1939–1946 Peterborough United 44 (0)
1943 → Lincoln City (war guest) 1 (0)
1944 → Hartlepool United (war guest) 1 (0)
1947–1947 Arsenal 5 (2)
1947–1949 Southampton 9 (0)
1949–1951 Bristol City 34 (4)
1951–1952 Hastings United ? (?)
1952–1953 Weston-super-Mare
1953 Peterborough United 2 (0)
Total 98+ (7+)
Teams managed
1952–1953 Weston-super-Mare player-manager
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Pre-war

Born in Peterborough, Rudkin played for Creswell before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers as an amateur in February 1938 before moving to Lincoln City in May 1938.[2][3]

Wartime

In the Second World War, Rudkin joined a tank regiment based at Catterick, before being sent to Germany

During the war, Rudkin had a number of spells with hometown club Peterborough United in the Midland League,[4] as well as guest appearances for Lincoln City, Hartlepool United,[5] Darlington, Southampton and Middlesbrough.[1][6]

Post-war

After the war Rudkin played for Peterborough United in their pre-Football League days and joined First Division Arsenal in January 1947.[6] He made five appearances for Arsenal during the 1946–47 season.[7][8] Rudkin and George Curtis joined Southampton in exchange for Don Roper in August 1947[6][9] with Rudkin valued at £3,000. He made only a few sporadic appearances over the next two seasons before moving to Ashton Gate.[1]

Bob Wright signed Rudkin for Bristol City in May 1949 from Southampton[6][10] Rudkin made his debut for Bristol City at outside left in the opening fixture of Third Division South season in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town on 20 August 1949.[11] Rudkin made 27 appearances scoring three goals in 1949–50 and a further seven appearances with one goal in 1950–51 as Bristol City languished in mid table. However, in 1951, Rudkin (with three appearances) helped the "Robins" to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup before losing 2–0 at Birmingham City.[11]

Rudkin left Bristol City to join struggling Southern League club Hastings United in June 1951,[6] but later returned to the south-west as player-manager of Weston-super-Mare before settling in his native Peterborough.[6]

Later career

After retiring from football, he joined the Sunday Pictorial as a circulation agent and then became a steward at a Peterborough nightclub. Later, he became the licensee of the Angel Hotel, Wisbech where he collapsed suddenly and died, six weeks before his 50th birthday.[1]

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References
  1. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. p. 575. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  2. Hugman, Barry (1998). Football League Players' Records 1946–1998. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1-85291-585-4.
  3. "Profile". Red Imps. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  4. "Profile". Up The Posh!. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  5. "Profile". Pool Stats. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  6. Woods, David; Edwards, Leigh (1997). Bristol City FC – the First 100 Years. Redcliffe Press. ISBN 1-900178-26-5.
  7. "ARSENAL : 1946/47 – 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  8. "Profile". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  9. "SOUTHAMPTON : 1946/47 – 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  10. "BRISTOL CITY : 1946/47 – 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  11. Woods, David (1994). Bristol Babe – First 100 Years of Bristol City FC. Yore publications. ISBN 1-874427-95-X.
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