Tommy Pank
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 1853 | ||
| Place of birth | Aston, Birmingham, England | ||
| Date of death | Unknown | ||
| Position | Half back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1879–1882 | Aston Villa | 11 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Thomas Pank (b. Jan 1853, Aston) was an English footballer. He played in Aston Villa's first ever FA Cup tie.[1]
The 1879–80 English football season saw Aston Villa's entry into top flight competitive association football with their first tie in the FA Cup.[2] The start of the official record was Saturday 13 December 1879 when Villa faced Stafford Road F.C., of the Stafford Road railway works, Wolverhampton. The match was played before a crowd of 2,000 at Stafford's Half-Way House Ground.[2] In 2024, celebrating the club's 150th anniversary, Aston Villa Legacy Numbers were introduced indexing every first-team player who had represented the club in a competitive fixture.[3] Although playing before shirt numbers were introduced in 1926, Goalkeeper John Ball received Legacy Number 1.[4] Half-back Pank received Legacy Number #12,[1] Andy Hunter #4[5] officially became Villa's first goal-scorer in the 1–1 draw.[2]
The 29-year-old Pank played his final game on 21 January 1882 In Villa's 4th Round away defeat to Wednesbury Old Athletic.[6] He subsequently retired.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Tommy Pank Aston Villa Midfielder".
- ^ a b c 🟨 13 Dec 1879, Villa 1-1 Stafford Road, Half-Way House Ground
- ^ "Legacy Numbers: Aston Villa approach 1,000th player". 15 August 2024.
- ^ John Ball (2)
- ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/andy-hunter
- ^ "🟥 21 Jan 1882, Villa 2-4 W.O.A.C, the Oval".