Tom Smalley

Thomas Smalley (13 January 1912 – 1 April 1984) was an English professional footballer who played as a half-back for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City before the Second World War and for Northampton Town in the post-war period, making a total of over 420 appearances for the three clubs. He also made one appearance for England in 1936.

Career Smalley was born at Kinsley, West Yorkshire and after school he worked for the nearby South Kirkby Colliery. Whilst playing for South Kirkby, he was spotted by a scout from Wolverhampton Wanderers who signed him in May 1931. Whilst at South Kirkby he was also occasionally called upon to play for Barnsley reserves, but ultimately Wolves beat Barnsley to his registration. As a schoolboy he also represented the Yorkshire County team. with Wales going on to claim the championship; Smalley was replaced in the next international, against Ireland, by Everton's Cliff Britton and never played international football again.

Smalley helped Wolves reach the runners-up position in the First Division in 1937–38 before being sold to Norwich City for £4,500 in August 1938. In his seven years at Wolves, Smalley made nearly 200 first-team appearances in all competitions. He remained with "the Cobblers" until 1951 when, in his fortieth year, he dropped out of League football.

He then had a spell as player-coach at Lower Gornal Athletic before retiring completely.

Honours Wolverhampton Wanderers Football League Second Division: 1931–32 Football League First Division runners-up: 1937–38