Famous Players – The 1950’s

Tommy Cheadle

Iconic player of the 50’s

Tommy was that increasingly rare commodity in professional football – the local man who played for his local team.

Tommy made his reputation as a tough tackling centre half and was a major force in Freddie Steele’s team, known for its “iron curtain” defence, which won the Division 3 title in 1953/54 by an amazing 11 points. Tommy’s captaincy and resolute defending were crucial factors in Vale conceding only 21 goals in 46 League games that season. This was the side that swept aside teams in the FA Cup including holders Blackpool, Stanley Matthews and all, before losing in the semi-final at Villa Park to eventual winners West Bromwich Albion.

Tommy moved to Crewe Alex in 1957 as player-coach but left two years later, spending the rest of his working years as a postman.

He died in 1993 aged 74