Tom Kirkham
British association football referee and association football player
About Tom Kirkham
Lived 1869 – 1928 (aged 58–59). Tom Kirkham was a British association football referee and association football player.
Thomas Kirkham was an English football referee.
In 1894 he officiated (most of) the 'Game of three halves' between Sunderland and Derby County on the opening day of the Football League First Division season, instructing that the full match should be played after one half had already been completed in his absence due to missing a train.
At the end of the first match in the 1902 Cup Final between Sheffield United and Southampton, United's goalkeeper William Foulke, unhappy with one of his decisions, left his dressing room unclothed and pursued Kirkham, who took refuge in a broom cupboard. Foulke had to be stopped by a group of FA officials from wrenching the cupboard door from its hinges to reach the referee.
Kirkham also refereed the replay, which Sheffield United won 2–1.
He also refereed the international match between Scotland and Ireland on 21 March 1903, followed by the matches between Scotland and Wales on 12 March 1904 and between Scotland and Ireland on 18 March 1905.
He is often confused with Fred Kirkham (from Preston) who refereed the 1906 FA Cup Final.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Tom Kirkham's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Tom Kirkham's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Tom Kirkham?
British association football referee and association football player
When was Tom Kirkham born?
Tom Kirkham was born in 1869.
When did Tom Kirkham die?
Tom Kirkham died on 17 August 1928.
What was Tom Kirkham's occupation?
Tom Kirkham was an association football referee and association football player.
What nationality was Tom Kirkham?
Tom Kirkham was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tom Kirkham. https://biography.guide/tom-kirkham/
MLA: "Tom Kirkham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tom-kirkham/.
Chicago: "Tom Kirkham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tom-kirkham/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:25 UTC