Reg Tomlinson
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Reginald William Tomlinson | ||
| Date of birth | 2 July 1914 | ||
| Place of birth | Sleaford, England | ||
| Date of death | 16 May 1971 (aged 56) | ||
| Place of death | Bitterne, Southampton, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Horncastle Town | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1935–1938 | Grimsby Town | 20 | (2) |
| 1938–1939 | Southampton | 36 | (12) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Reginald William Tomlinson (2 July 1914 – 16 May 1971)[1] was an English professional footballer who played at centre-forward for Grimsby Town and Southampton in the 1930s[2] before becoming a police officer in Southampton.
Tomlinson was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire and started his professional football career with Grimsby Town of the Football League First Division in August 1935.[1] During his three seasons at Blundell Park, Tomlinson found first-team opportunities rare and made only 20 Football League appearances, scoring twice.[2]
In May 1938, he moved to the south coast, to join Second Division Southampton for "a substantial fee".[1] He made his debut for the Saints in a 3–0 defeat at Coventry City on 10 September 1938 and retained his place at centre-forward for the remainder of the season. His first goals came when he scored twice in a 4–3 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on 15 October, followed by goals in the next two matches.[3] Described as "quick for a big man and possessing a good shot", he soon formed a "useful partnership"[1] with Fred Briggs at inside-forward. Tomlinson finished the season having scored 12 goals from 36 appearances.[3]
He played in two matches in the abandoned 1939–40 season and returned to The Dell for two War Cup matches in 1943,[4] and also played as a guest for Portsmouth.[1]