Tommy Sloan

Thomas Sloan (13 October 1925 – 13 January 2010) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a right winger, most notable for being a member of the first Motherwell side to win the Scottish Cup, in 1951–52.

Career Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, Sloan joined local Junior side Arthurlie in 1942 and, after switching from centre forward to the right wing, became a regular in the first team. With the Second World War at its destructive zenith, many of Sloan's contemporaries enlisted in the British armed services to fight abroad. However, his work manufacturing munitions at the Shanks factory in Barrhead was considered a reserved occupation and he remained in Scotland. He would later work in the dockyards in Renfrew, another reserved occupation.

Sloan's performances with Arthurlie led to his selection for the Scotland Junior international side. They also attracted the attention of several League clubs and in 1945, after a dispute with the Arthurlie management, he signed for Hearts. He agreed, however, to stay with Arthurlie for the duration of their Scottish Junior Cup campaign, eventually helping them to the final, where they lost 2–0 to Fauldhouse United.

Sloan made his debut for Hearts in the 1946–47 season and quickly became a regular feature in the side. His supply from the right wing helped the burgeoning Terrible Trio inside forward combination of Conn, Bauld and Wardhaugh in their prolific scoring feats, while Sloan himself maintained a respectable scoring record.

Surprisingly, Motherwell suffered their first ever relegation the following year, although in an incredibly tight competition they finished only five points behind fourth-placed Hearts. Sloan stayed with the side despite their demotion, helping them win the Second Division title at the first attempt in 1953–54. He appeared in the Motherwell side that reached the 1954 Scottish League Cup final, but Hearts proved too strong on that occasion, winning 4–2.

Sloan eventually left Motherwell for English non-league side Gloucester City in 1957, where he stayed for three seasons. He returned to Scotland to coach old side Arthurlie in 1960 in his native Barrhead, concurrently returning to work in the town's Shanks factory.