Thomas James Wright was born on the 21st of October 1944 in Norris Green, Liverpool and lived on the corner of Swallowhurst Crescent, Norris Green attending Monkstown Road School. When aged just 15 he joined Everton as an apprentice, and made his first team debut in 1964 and, a true one-club man, Tommy enjoyed a magnificent Everton career. He was part of the winning team in the 1966 FA Cup Final and in the unsuccessful team in the 1968 FA Cup Final. Tommy played in all 42 league games in the 1969–70 season when Everton won the Football League Championship by nine points and also won the 1970 FA Charity Shield. The first six games of the 1970-71 season saw the Blues accrue just six points and slumped at the foot of the table. Some blamed World Cup fatigue as Tommy, Brian Labone, Alan Ball and Keith Newton had represented England in Mexico. Tommy has often been described as the best right-back to play for Everton with George Best once describing him as his most difficult opponent. The England right-back was a warrior who could sprint like Gary Stevens and tackle like Alex Parker or, if required, like Tony Kay. A tough, reliable defender, he could overlap and cross brilliantly and was an excellent exponent of the slide tackle. Tommy and Colin Harvey were best mates; they were both local lads and always used to room together. Colin had been Tommy's best man and they remained firm friends. Colin's wife Maureen said, "On our very first date we went out with Tommy and his wife, Gwen, and Andy Rankin and his wife. It was a six-some and we met at a hotel in Liverpool then went on to a nightclub called The Beachcomber, in Duke Street. It was the most popular club in town and they used to say you needed a letter from God to get in there — or to be an Everton player."
Tommy made 12 appearances for the Three Lions, featuring in a classic match against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup. He made 374 appearances in total and scored four goals for the Blues and on being named an Everton Giant in 2016 he said: "Thank you for this award - it makes me very proud. All my life, I wanted to be an Evertonian and when I signed on at the age of 15, it made my day. It’s my joy to receive this award." In a pre-recorded presentation, the Blues legend was handed his prize by former teammate and fellow Giant Joe Royle. "Lots of people have won awards in football but this has never been more deserving," said Joe. "I've said it before but he was the best right-back I was fortunate to play with. I’ve been watching Everton a long time and he is still the best I have seen in a Blue shirt."
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2026/09/merseyside-for-sport-sylvia-gore.html
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