Tom Gracie
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tom" Gracie was a Scottish
professional footballer and, latterly, a corporal
in the 16th Battalion of The Royal Scots
. He was the joint-leading scorer in the Scottish Football League
in the 1914-15 season
.
Born in Yorkhill
, Glasgow
, Gracie studied bookkeeping upon leaving school before finding work as a meatsalesman. He was concurrently playing for Shawfield
, then Strathclyde FC but in 1907 he was offered the chance to move into League football when approached by Airdrieonians
, third-placed finishers the previous season. After short spells with Hamilton Academical
and Arthurlie
, he joined Morton
in 1909.
In 1911, Gracie was selected as a reserve for Scotland
's game against England
at Goodison Park
. Although he wasn't required to play, and would never gain an international cap, the journey proved profitable for him as he was signed by Everton
at the game's conclusion. A season later he switched to the red half of Merseyside
, signing for Liverpool
in an exchange deal which saw Harold Uren move to Everton in exchange for Gracie and Bill Lacey. Unlike Lacey, however, Gracie was unable to establish himself in the Liverpool first team, making only sporadic appearances in his two and a half seasons at Anfield
. When the opportunity arose to return to Scotland in 1914, he was glad to take it, admitting to feeling "unappreciated". in the south.
Gracie’s destination was Hearts
, manager John McCartney
paying £400 for him as a replacement for the recently-sold Percy Dawson
. The Maroons were a rapidly-emerging side and started the 1914-15 season
with eight straight victories, including a 2-0 defeat of reigning champions Celtic
in which Gracie scored, to become early league-leaders and title-favourites.
However, this streak coincided with the start of the First World War and the beginnings of a public debate upon the morality of continuing professional football while young soldiers were dying on the front-line. A motion was placed before the Scottish Football Association
to postpone the season, with one of its backers, Airdrieonians
chairman Thomas Forsyth declaring that "playing football while our men are fighting is repugnant". While this motion was defeated at the ballot box
, with the SFA opting to wait for War Office advice, the noted East London philanthropist Frederick Charrington was orchestrating a public campaign to have professional football in Britain suspended, and achieving great popular support for his cause. The prime tactic of Charrington's campaign was to shame footballing players and officials in to action through public and private denouncement, and as Gracie was then the leading scorer in the side leading the top division in Scotland, he was an obvious target for the anti-football crusade, much to his distress.
Gracie's response, and that of 10 of his team-mates, was to enlist in Sir George McCrae's new volunteer battalion, joining on mass on 25 November 1914. The battalion was to become the 16th Royal Scots and was the first to earn the "footballer's battalion" sobriquet. Military training was thus added to the Hearts players football training regieme, although this didn't initially stop the side's progress, as they compiled a 20 game unbeaten run between October and February.
However, exhaustion from their army exertions, twice including 10-hour nocturnal-marches the night before a league game, eventually led to a drop in form, as several enlisted players, including Gracie, missed key games. Defeats to St Mirren and Morton allowed Celtic to usurp the Maroons and eventually claim the league title by 4 points. For Gracie, finishing as the league's joint top-scorer, tied on 29 goals with Ayr United
's James Richardson
was scant consolation.
Gracie however faced a far more serious problem - in March 1915 he was diagnosed with leukemia
, a prognosis he had shared only with manager McCartney. Despite his illness and against medical recommendation he decided to continue to play with Hearts and train with his battalion, and indeed scored 4 times during that month. He was still with the battalion when they were sent south to Ripon
in June for further training but within weeks he had succumbed to fatigue and was committed to hospital in Leeds
for treatment, before being transferred back to Scotland.
Gracie died on October 23, 1915 in Stobhill Hospital
in his hometown Glasgow
and was buried at Craigton
Cemetery. His death concluded a dark year for the Gracie family, who had also lost Tom's brother John and brother-in-law Tommy during 1915's hostilities.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer and, latterly, a corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in the 16th Battalion of The Royal Scots
The Royal Scots
The Royal Scots , once known as the Royal Regiment of Foot, was the oldest, and therefore most senior, infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, having been raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I of Scotland...
. He was the joint-leading scorer in the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
in the 1914-15 season
1914-15 in Scottish football
The 1914–15 season was the 25th season of competitive football in Scotland. The addition of Lochgelly United and Clydebank meant that there were fourteen teams in Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic...
.
Born in Yorkhill
Yorkhill
Yorkhill is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde in the West End of the city. It is known for its famous hospitals; the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill and the Queen Mother's Maternity Hospital....
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Gracie studied bookkeeping upon leaving school before finding work as a meatsalesman. He was concurrently playing for Shawfield
Shawfield F.C.
Shawfield were a Scottish football team that competed in the Scottish Junior set-up and won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1946-47. There are also a number of references to them being called Shawfield Juniors....
, then Strathclyde FC but in 1907 he was offered the chance to move into League football when approached by Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
, third-placed finishers the previous season. After short spells with Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
and Arthurlie
Arthurlie F.C.
Arthurlie Football Club are a Junior Scottish football team based in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, near Glasgow. They play at Dunterlie Park, on Carlibar Road, adjacent to Barrhead railway station. They currently play in the Stagecoach Super League, Premier Division...
, he joined Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
in 1909.
In 1911, Gracie was selected as a reserve for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
's game against England
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...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
. Although he wasn't required to play, and would never gain an international cap, the journey proved profitable for him as he was signed by Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
at the game's conclusion. A season later he switched to the red half of Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, signing for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in an exchange deal which saw Harold Uren move to Everton in exchange for Gracie and Bill Lacey. Unlike Lacey, however, Gracie was unable to establish himself in the Liverpool first team, making only sporadic appearances in his two and a half seasons at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. When the opportunity arose to return to Scotland in 1914, he was glad to take it, admitting to feeling "unappreciated". in the south.
Gracie’s destination was Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, manager John McCartney
John McCartney
John McCartney was a Scottish footballer who played at half-back for Liverpool. He was born in Darvel, Ayrshire, Scotland.-Life and playing career:John McCartney played for Newmilns F.C., St Mirren F.C. and New Brighton...
paying £400 for him as a replacement for the recently-sold Percy Dawson
Percy Dawson
Percival "Percy" Dawson was an English footballer who played as a striker. He was born in Cullercoats....
. The Maroons were a rapidly-emerging side and started the 1914-15 season
1914-15 in Scottish football
The 1914–15 season was the 25th season of competitive football in Scotland. The addition of Lochgelly United and Clydebank meant that there were fourteen teams in Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic...
with eight straight victories, including a 2-0 defeat of reigning champions Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in which Gracie scored, to become early league-leaders and title-favourites.
However, this streak coincided with the start of the First World War and the beginnings of a public debate upon the morality of continuing professional football while young soldiers were dying on the front-line. A motion was placed before the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
to postpone the season, with one of its backers, Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
chairman Thomas Forsyth declaring that "playing football while our men are fighting is repugnant". While this motion was defeated at the ballot box
Ballot box
A ballot box is a temporarily sealed container, usually square box though sometimes a tamper resistant bag, with a narrow slot in the top sufficient to accept a ballot paper in an election but which prevents anyone from accessing the votes cast until the close of the voting period...
, with the SFA opting to wait for War Office advice, the noted East London philanthropist Frederick Charrington was orchestrating a public campaign to have professional football in Britain suspended, and achieving great popular support for his cause. The prime tactic of Charrington's campaign was to shame footballing players and officials in to action through public and private denouncement, and as Gracie was then the leading scorer in the side leading the top division in Scotland, he was an obvious target for the anti-football crusade, much to his distress.
Gracie's response, and that of 10 of his team-mates, was to enlist in Sir George McCrae's new volunteer battalion, joining on mass on 25 November 1914. The battalion was to become the 16th Royal Scots and was the first to earn the "footballer's battalion" sobriquet. Military training was thus added to the Hearts players football training regieme, although this didn't initially stop the side's progress, as they compiled a 20 game unbeaten run between October and February.
However, exhaustion from their army exertions, twice including 10-hour nocturnal-marches the night before a league game, eventually led to a drop in form, as several enlisted players, including Gracie, missed key games. Defeats to St Mirren and Morton allowed Celtic to usurp the Maroons and eventually claim the league title by 4 points. For Gracie, finishing as the league's joint top-scorer, tied on 29 goals with Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
's James Richardson
James Richardson (footballer)
James Richardson was a professional footballer, who played for Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday.-References:...
was scant consolation.
Gracie however faced a far more serious problem - in March 1915 he was diagnosed with leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, a prognosis he had shared only with manager McCartney. Despite his illness and against medical recommendation he decided to continue to play with Hearts and train with his battalion, and indeed scored 4 times during that month. He was still with the battalion when they were sent south to Ripon
Ripon
Ripon is a cathedral city, market town and successor parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located at the confluence of two streams of the River Ure in the form of the Laver and Skell. The city is noted for its main feature the Ripon Cathedral which is architecturally...
in June for further training but within weeks he had succumbed to fatigue and was committed to hospital in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
for treatment, before being transferred back to Scotland.
Gracie died on October 23, 1915 in Stobhill Hospital
Stobhill Hospital
Stobhill Hospital is an Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Hospital, located in the district of Springburn in the north of Glasgow, Scotland. It serves the population of North Glasgow and part of East Dunbartonshire.-History:...
in his hometown Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and was buried at Craigton
Craigton
Formerly farming land for the Township of Govan, Craigton is a residential suburb in the southwest of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It borders Cardonald, Govan and Bellahouston Park. It has a primary school, Craigton Primary School, a small industrial estate and a number of shops lining Paisley...
Cemetery. His death concluded a dark year for the Gracie family, who had also lost Tom's brother John and brother-in-law Tommy during 1915's hostilities.
External links
- Profile at lfchistory.net
- Appearances at londonhearts.com
- Scottish Footballers in the Great War