Tommy Rudkin

Thomas William Rudkin (16 June 1919 – 30 April 1969) was an English professional footballer who played as a left winger. He made 50 appearances in the Football League in the years before and after the Second World War.

Career

Pre-war Born in Peterborough, Rudkin played for Creswell before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers as an amateur in February 1938 before moving to Lincoln City in May 1938.

Wartime In the Second World War, Rudkin joined a tank regiment based at Catterick, before being sent to Germany

During the war, Rudkin had a number of spells with hometown club Peterborough United in the Midland League, as well as guest appearances for Lincoln City, Hartlepool United, Darlington, Southampton and Middlesbrough.

Post-war After the war Rudkin played for Peterborough United in their pre-Football League days and joined First Division Arsenal in January 1947. Rudkin and George Curtis joined Southampton in exchange for Don Roper in August 1947 with Rudkin valued at £3,000. He made only a few sporadic appearances over the next two seasons before moving to Ashton Gate. Rudkin made his debut for Bristol City at outside left in the opening fixture of Third Division South season in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town on 20 August 1949. Rudkin made 27 appearances scoring three goals in 1949–50 and a further seven appearances with one goal in 1950–51 as Bristol City languished in mid table. However, in 1951, Rudkin (with three appearances) helped the "Robins" to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup before losing 2–0 at Birmingham City.

Rudkin left Bristol City to join struggling Southern League club Hastings United in June 1951, but later returned to the south-west as player-manager of Weston-super-Mare before settling in his native Peterborough.

Later career After retiring from football, he joined the Sunday Pictorial as a circulation agent and then became a steward at a Peterborough nightclub. Later, he became the licensee of the Angel Hotel, Wisbech where he collapsed suddenly and died, at age 49.