Tommy Wilson - RIP

[The Equalizer]

Last night during my regular pub quiz at the Green Man in Putney, I was informed by a sad quiz-mistress that a regular of the pub had passed away yesterday morning.

This regular of the pub, who lived next to the pub with his wife was called Tom Wilson and he was a Fulham player of old. I had never heard of the chap, but having done a little research I've found out the following:

He played for the Whites from 1952-57 and was best mates with Bobby Robson. He shared lodgings with Bobby when he was a player, and later became Bobby's best man at his wedding. When Bobby passed away last year, Tom Wilson spoke at the funeral.

I haven't been able to find out much more than this, all I know is that the regulars of the Green Man were very sad by the passing of someone who was described as kind, generous and extremely friendly.

If anyone has any stories of Tommy Wilson that they can regale us with it would be appreciated.

Rest in peace Tommy.

[WhiteJC]

to have been a friend of Bobby Robsons speaks volumes on the calibre of any man.

RIP

[LBNo11]

...Eq, my apologies, I saw your text this morning - I had heard of him, but he is not a name that springs to mind when mentioning 'greats' or even failures. But I beleive he played in the famous 1956 FA Cup match against Newcastle, so Crooked Hat, Peabody, OBS, Fernhurst, lakey, and possibly ealex will have seen him perform in teh white shirts of Fulham...

[TonyGilroy]

Was he not on the Board when Muddyman and Hill took over. A practicing surveyor I believe who was an important figure in giving planning and development advice to the club.

Or am I confusing him with someone else.

[CorkedHat]

I do remember him as a player but I don't honestly remember him being in the Fulham v Newcastle match. That's not to say he wasn't there and no doubt our old mate OBS who has the program will tell us.
But Mr Gilroy is right - Tommy Wilson did serve some time as a director before MAF came on the scene.
There was also a Tom Wilson who had a newsagent in Fulham Palace Road next to Colehill Lane but he was from the other team in SW6 and nothing to do with our Tommy Wilson.

[Burt]

I don't remember Tommy Wilson, not just because I have an appalling memory but more pertinently due to the fact that I wasn't born then.

I do remember the Green Man though, from when I used to live in Putney.

Anyhow, I am rambling.

Any servant of Fulham and friend of Bobby deserves a good send off - RIP Tommy...

[Peabody]

Yes I remember him. H e was right back and quite useful, he did play in the the second best game ever at the Cottage (Newcastle) and was preferred at that position to John Chenall. The Wilsons referred to by Corked Hat had a shop on the New Kings Road close to Putney Bridge. It was owned by Tom Wilson, who played for numerous clubs but never quite made it. His Father however was Scottish International Andy Wilson who did play for the other lot. As youngsters, we used to go in the shop and Andy would tell us all sorts about Football then. They were both two nice men. RIP Tom.

[FC Silver Fox]

Tommy Wilson came to Fulham from Southampton in 1952. He was a full-back and played 45 games over 5 years. He then moved on to Brentford.

RIP

[The Equalizer]

Just spotted this on the Offal:

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/TomWilson.aspx

A very nice piece.

[LBNo11]

...further to Eq's link, here is the article:-

Tom Wilson
Tuesday 6th April 2010
Fulham FC News Powered by 
Another link with the past was broken with the passing of Tom Wilson at the end of last month. A full-back in the 1950s, Tom made an even more significant contribution to the Club in the troubled pre-Mohamed Al Fayed 1990s as a director and property guru.



An influential figure in our affairs at a critical time, he always had Fulham's best interests at heart and some of his most enduring friendships were formed in his time as a young player at the Cottage.

Born in Southampton in 1930, Tom signed for his local club as an amateur in 1947 and, after a schoolboy career that included St Mary's College, Southampton and Southampton Grammar Schools, he followed his manager at the Dell, Bill Dodgin, to Fulham and signed professional in August 1950. In those early days, Tom was in digs with Jimmy Hill and Bobby Robson and remained close to both for the rest of their lives. (He spoke at Sir Bobby's Memorial service last year.)

In October 1952, he made his debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn and over the next four seasons made 49 appearances. A right-back of the industrial type, Tom (his nickname was 'Whipper') made way for the emerging George Cohen. He then moved on to Brentford in July 1957, playing 158 games for the Bees before ending his career with Folkestone Town in early 1960s.

During his time at Fulham, Tom was unlucky with injuries and illness but he turned the available time to his advantage and qualified as a surveyor. Once his playing days ended, he moved seamlessly into the property world and climbed the corporate ladder to the very top. Hugely knowledgeable and widely respected in the property market and the City up until his retirement in the 1990s, he was the first person his old team-mate Jimmy Hill called upon when he mounted a rescue to save us from property developers Marler Estates who, in the late 1980s, wanted to merge us with QPR and turn the Cottage into a housing estate.

Remaining on the board right up to 1997, Tom negotiated the purchase of the Cottage from the Royal Bank of England, which by then owned the ground. Trusted by all parties, Tom ensured the Club got the best deal possible.

At the time of his death, in his 80th year, he was still a Season Ticket Holder at the Cottage and interested in the progress of the Club. An evening in Tom's company (his favourite watering hole was the old Wig And Pen in the Strand) was time well spent. An amusing storyteller, his tales of the Cottage and his colleagues in the innocent times of the 1950s were sharp, insightful and often very funny. Tom was also keen on cricket and active for many years in charities. And he was a very nice, decent man.

We all have reason to remember and be grateful to Tom Wilson. He had a long life, well lived and, to his widow Heather and his other family and friends, we extend our sincere condolences.
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/TomWilson.aspx#ixzz0kKgjoBig