Tom Mackey (1932 - 1938)
Born October 22nd 1908 (Cassop).
Died July 27th 1969 (Silsoe)
Position (Full Back)
League Appearances 183
Goals 2
Also Played For Hartlepool United and Sheffield Wednesday
Tom Mackey was one of Luton Town`s most loyal servants, spending some 27 years with the club. He started his career at Hartlepool United. He once said in an interview "It was either football or down the mines". Football was in the blood, his uncle had been a professional player. Tom started his Hartlepool career as a wing half, but was then moved to centre half. He was transfered to Sheffield Wednesday in 1929 while Wednesday were in the middle of consecutive League Championships. His debut for Wednesday came towards the end of the 1929/30 season. But he had to play second fiddle to Wednesday`s Tom Leach who was at the time England`s regular centre half and rarely got a look in, playing just four times in three seasons. So it was that Luton manager Harold Wightman signed him for Luton in the Summer of 1932. He made his debut in a 4-1 home win over Coventry City on September 10th 1932. He remained ever present for the rest of the season, including the FA Cup run that took The Town to the sixth round. His first season at Kenilworth Road, could have been his last. In August1933 he returned home to his native North East and joined the Durham County Police Force. But a last minute change of heart soon saw him back at Kenilworth Road. He missed the first game of the season, but then remained ever preset for the rest of the season. He gave The Town six years valuable service, winning Division 3 South Championship medal in 1936/37. He was at that time one of the most popular figures ever to serve the club as a player. Stragely his only two goals for Luton were scored in the same match, a 3-1 home win over Burnley on February 5th 1938. He retired from playing at the end of that season. But his days at the club were far from over. He immediately joined the coaching staff and maintained a role on the staff until 1960. After he left the club he went into the licensed trade. He was mine host at The Star And Garter in Silsoe until the time of his death in 1969
Luton Town FC 1935/36
This rather unusual team photo was taken at Coventry on April 27th 1936
Back Row, Mackey, Smith, Dolman, Nelson, Finlayson, Stephenson
Front Row, Hodge, Martin, Fellowes, Roberts, Payne
 
Tom Mackey (fourth from the right) looks on as Town keeper Bill Dolman makes a safe ctach in the 0-0 draw at Q.P.R. May 2nd 1936. Jack Nelson is the player on the right.
 
1885- 1950