Career
He was a professional football player who played fullback for Leicester Fosse the original name of Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and England during the 1910s and 1920s. Football career
Thomas Clay joined Leicester Fosse in April 1911 and made his first appearance for the team against Bradford Park Avenue F.C. on November 11 that year, having previously made a name for himself for local side Belvoir Sunday School Juniors. Together with team mate Harry Sparrow he was signed by Spurs following the match.
Tommy played for Spurs throughout the First World War participating in 107 friendly matches.
In March 1921 he kept a clean sheet as stand-in goalkeeper in a 1 – 0 victory over Sunderland. Later the same year, although not captain, he played in the 1921 FA Cup Final.
Cricket Coaching and Later In 1923 Thomas had been a trialist for Leicestershire County Cricket Club and between 1926 and 1929 during his time at Spurs he took up cricket coaching at Public Schools including Highgate, Street Paul"s and Berkhamsted. He coached Dutch football side HVV Den Haag between 1937 and 1939.
After retiring from football he subsequently ran a public and sports outfitters in Street Albans.
He was working as a builders’ labourer in Southend when he died in 1949.