Bush Tom Image 1 Liverpool 1937

Description

Hodnet, Shropshire born left or centre half Tom Bush began his football career with Shrewsbury Amateurs in 1929 before being signed by First Division club Liverpool in March 1933, making his Football League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers just before the year end. Indeed he started his Liverpool career as a centre forward, was credited with an assist for Alf Hanson’ goal in a 1-1 draw, and was “cool and kept position well, but he lacked experience against a big and sure defence.” His second appearance and last as a forward was unfortunately the infamous St James’ massacre on New Year’s Day 1934 when Liverpool lost 9-2.

Bush didn’t play his third game until two years and nine months later, when he came in for a match at Middlesbrough in October 1936, making 9 appearances during the 1936-37 season, but during the last two seasons before the Second World War broke out in September 1939 he appeared much more regularly, featuring in over half the matches in each season, and scored his solitary goal for the club came at Sunderland on 17th December 1938. By the time hostilities commenced he had made 65 appearances. During the War he featured as a wartime guest for Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United and Fulham, as well as making 33 wartime league appearances for Liverpool.

He returned to Anfield when the War was over, and having played once in their 1946 FA Cup campaign, Bush had to fly across the Atlantic from Liverpool’s 1946-47 pre-season tour in America to be by his daughter’s bedside. Tragically nine month old Christine Ann Bush died on 29th May 1946. Bush made three appearances as Liverpool won the League Championship in the ensuing season. The last of his 69 appearances for Liverpool came against Preston North End on 7th April 1947, over 13 years after he had made his debut.

After Bush retired as a player he was for many years in charge of bringing players through the youth system at Liverpool preparing them for the reserves and then hopefully the first team. He also dealt with the administrative side of the A team working out travel arrangements, booking meals and doing similar tasks in the daily running of a football club. Much of his work was done away from Anfield in close co-operation with chief scout Geoff Twentyman by interviewing parents of youngsters who Liverpool had interest in bringing to the club. His proudest day was when Liverpool won the FA Cup in 1965 when no less than five members of his junior development team won medals: Roger Hunt, Ian Callaghan, Tommy Smith, Tommy Lawrence and Gerry Byrne. He spent 37 years at the club apart from his war service before his death aged 55 in December 1969.