30 Facts About Tom Farquharson

Thomas Gerard Farquharson was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Tom Farquharson was released on the basis that he would leave Ireland, which he did, choosing to settle in South Wales.

Tom Farquharson remained with the club until 1935, winning the Welsh Cup on four occasions and the FA Charity Shield once.

Tom Farquharson played in 445 Football League matches for Cardiff, which remained a club record until 1985.

Tom Farquharson was born on 4 December 1899 at 3 Lismore Cottages, Botanic Avenue, Dublin.

Tom Farquharson was the third child born to a Presbyterian father, Thomas Farquharson, a sanitary contractor, and a Catholic mother, Margaret Cassin, a dressmaker.

Tom Farquharson was educated at a school run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

Tom Farquharson instead began playing for a Catholic Young Men's Society.

Tom Farquharson was described as a "non-violent member" of the Irish Republican Army, a role that included running messages for the group and transporting people to safehouses.

Tom Farquharson and Lemass were held at Mountjoy Prison but Tom Farquharson was released on bail by a British Army Major who was a friend of his father on the basis that he would leave Ireland.

Tom Farquharson was sent to work in Blackwood, Caerphilly, in South Wales, gaining employment as either a carpenter or a painter and decorator.

Tom Farquharson later went to watch local Welsh Football League side Oakdale who found themselves short of a goalkeeper for a match.

Tom Farquharson offered his services where his experience playing Gaelic football proved invaluable.

Tom Farquharson soon attracted the interest of Football League First Division side Cardiff City.

Tom Farquharson's performances resulted in Davies' being sold at the end of the season to Leicester City with long-serving Herbert Kneeshaw remaining as cover.

Tom Farquharson played in all six of Cardiff's fixtures leading up to the final.

Tom Farquharson kept five clean sheets from Cardiff's seven matches in the competition, conceding only three goals, becoming the first Irish goalkeeper to win the cup and keep a clean sheet in the final of the competition.

Tom Farquharson remained as the club's first choice goalkeeper for several years after their cup success.

Tom Farquharson's total remains the highest by any goalkeeper in the club's history.

When Tom Farquharson began his international career in 1923 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.

Between 1923 and 1927 Tom Farquharson played seven times for the IFA XI.

Between 1929 and 1931 Tom Farquharson played four times for the FAIFS XI.

Tom Farquharson had made his debut for an FAIFS XI shortly after winning the 1927 FA Cup with Cardiff, playing in a charity match against a Leinster Football Association XI.

Tom Farquharson's comments made in a newspaper interview after his decision proved controversial when he claimed that "I will go so far as to say that the Irish Football Association usurped the name of Ireland by calling the side they have selected "Ireland"".

Tom Farquharson was team captain and after conceding a penalty, he redeemed himself by saving the resulting spot kick.

Tom Farquharson was believed to have carried a handgun in his kitbag during his playing career "for protection" following his involvement with the IRA in his youth.

Tom Farquharson later opened a tobacconist's in Cardiff City Centre.

Tom Farquharson ran his shop until he and his wife decided to emigrate to Canada; all five of his children had emigrated there in previous years.

Tom Farquharson was an early pioneer of masters athletics and founded the Canadian Masters Athletics Association.

Tom Farquharson died of a heart attack on 24 December 1970.