Thomas Sorby
Encyclopedia
Thomas Heathcote Sorby was an English amateur footballer who made one appearance for England
.
, the fourth of ten children of Thomas Austin Sorby (1823–1885) and Dorothy Heathcote (1826–1904). His father was a partner in Robert Sorby and Sons, the family business, described as "Edge Tool Manufacturers". He was educated at Cheltenham College
and played for various Sheffield football clubs including the Thursday Wanderers and Sheffield
, claimed to be the oldest football club in the world. He also represented the Sheffield FA.
His solitary England appearance came when he was one of five new players selected for the match against Wales
at the Kennington Oval on 18 January 1879. The match was played in a blizzard and both captains agreed to play halves of only 30 minutes each. This was the first match between the two countries — Wales had previously only played three international matches, all against Scotland, including a 9–0 defeat in March 1878. England's two goals came from Sorby and fellow débutante, Herbert Whitfeld
, with William Davies
scoring for Wales. According to the football historian, Philip Gibbons, "England were surprised by the level of skill shown by the Welsh team".
His brother, Albert Ernest Sorby (1859–1934) was a clergyman who became rector
at Darfield, South Yorkshire
, and a member of the Upton Park Football Club.
Sorby settled in Scarborough where he died on 13 December 1930.
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Football career
Sorby was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, the fourth of ten children of Thomas Austin Sorby (1823–1885) and Dorothy Heathcote (1826–1904). His father was a partner in Robert Sorby and Sons, the family business, described as "Edge Tool Manufacturers". He was educated at Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
and played for various Sheffield football clubs including the Thursday Wanderers and Sheffield
Sheffield F.C.
Sheffield Football Club is an English football club from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The club is most noted for the fact that they are the world's oldest club now playing Association football, founded in 1857...
, claimed to be the oldest football club in the world. He also represented the Sheffield FA.
His solitary England appearance came when he was one of five new players selected for the match against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at the Kennington Oval on 18 January 1879. The match was played in a blizzard and both captains agreed to play halves of only 30 minutes each. This was the first match between the two countries — Wales had previously only played three international matches, all against Scotland, including a 9–0 defeat in March 1878. England's two goals came from Sorby and fellow débutante, Herbert Whitfeld
Herbert Whitfeld
Herbert Whitfeld was an English amateur sportsman who played association football and county cricket.In football, he helped Old Etonians win the 1879 FA Cup Final and was on the losing side in 1881 as well as making one appearance for England in 1879. In cricket, he played for Sussex County...
, with William Davies
William Davies (footballer born 1855)
William Henry Davies was a Welsh amateur footballer who made four appearances for the Wales national football team in the 1870s and 1880s, and scored his country's first international goal.-Career outside football:...
scoring for Wales. According to the football historian, Philip Gibbons, "England were surprised by the level of skill shown by the Welsh team".
Family
Sorby married Annie Maud Laycock (1861–1933) on 7 August 1889 in Sheffield. They had one child, Violet Maude, who was born on 25 June 1891. She remained single and died childless before March 1979.His brother, Albert Ernest Sorby (1859–1934) was a clergyman who became rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
at Darfield, South Yorkshire
Darfield, South Yorkshire
Darfield is a village within the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. It lies east of the town of Barnsley. It had a population of 8,066 at the 2001 UK Census.-History:...
, and a member of the Upton Park Football Club.
Career outside football
Sorby was a member of Robert Sorby and Sons, the family firm of edge tool manufacturers based in Sheffield. On his father's death in 1885, Sorby and his brother, Robert Arthur Sorby, took control of the company although Robert died in 1896. Sorby left the family business in 1906 and was the last member of the family to be actively involved with the business. Since that time the firm has changed hands several times but still retains the "Robert Sorby" name and is noted as a maker of high end chisels and woodworking tools.Sorby settled in Scarborough where he died on 13 December 1930.