Tom Baxter (footballer, born 1903)

Thomas William "Tom" Baxter (1 February 1903 – 21 August 1987) was an English footballer who played on the left wing for Welbeck Colliery, Newark Town, Worksop Town, Mansfield Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, Margate, Carlisle United, and Distillery. He helped the "Valiants" to win the Third Division North title in 1929–30.

Playing career

Baxter played amateur football for Welbeck Colliery, Newark Town and Worksop Town (Midland League). He began his professional career with his hometown club Mansfield Town. He moved to Second Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in late 1927, and made his "Wolves" debut on 17 December 1927 in a 2–0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He remained in the team for the remainder of the 1927–28 season and played the majority of the 1928–29 campaign. An attacking player, he scored 15 goals in a total of 53 appearances for the Midlanders. He left Molineux to join Port Vale in August 1929.

He was a regular member of the "Valiants" 1929–30 Third Division North winning side, claiming nine goals in 43 appearances. He lost his first team place in December 1930, and featured in just 16 games of the 1930–31 season, as the Vale achieved a club record high of fifth in the Second Division. He left The Old Recreation Ground at the end of the campaign and returned to Mansfield. He later spent two spells with Margate and also played for Carlisle United and Distillery (Irish League).

Statistics

• Sourced from Tom Baxter profile at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

Honours

with Port Vale

• Football League Third Division North winner: 1929–30

• Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.