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Gt Granddad Thomas Smith West Bromwich Albion's first secretery.

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Wendy

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I have been doing some research into my gt grandfather Thomas Smith he worked at Salter's Springs in West Bromwich I have found him there from 1870 on his marriage certificate and in 1911 in the census although I don't know when he retired. He is always listed as Manufacturers Clerk. I know from my family he was involved with the formation of West Bromwich Albion football club. He was in fact their secretery. I have also found information from newspapers which tells me he suggested that a Throstle sitting on a crossbar be adopted for the club crest. This dates back to 1880. I am trying to find more info if I can about gt granddads time at the Albion.
These little scales made at Salters Springs have been passed down and I assume he used these for the many letters he must have written in his time as club secretery.
 
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I am so pleased I sent an email the the West Bromwich Albion web site I think it's one run by an enthusiast. He set me this photo with the names so now I know which person was Tom.
 
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Brilliant Wendy...That's like my G Uncle who played for Villa I to have a pick with him on too... makes the link to your past more real I think when you have a face to put to a name...
 
Wendy, I have only just seen this thread. How amazing to find out that your Gt grandfather was connected to a local football club and that he helped to create the clubs crest.

The picture is great - a brilliant addition to your family tree information. You must be thrilled that the WBA enthusiast sent it to you. I look forward to hearing more on this story.

Polly
 
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Thanks Polly, I was aware of a connection to the club but I didn't know where. I am now thrilled to know Thomas was the first club secretery. Here is a photo of Thomas and wife Jane nee Freeth.

I have to note the soup strainer moustache gives it away!
 
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Yes I have John thanks. My Mom's grandfather worked at Salters when the team was created. My nan's brother worked there also, his name was Tom Smith as well. With names like that no wonder I am having problems!
 
Another great photo, thanks for sharing it with us - your Gt grandfather is definitely recognisable by his moustache!

Polly
 
Thanks for the link Polly I hadn't seen that one although I had the info about him suggesting the design of the club 'badge' from a newspaper. I found that info quite exciting and I was suprised the family never mentioned it. I was also thrilled when reading the book about the Birmingham Gangs he was mentioned in the football section.
 
Hello Wendy,
Have you seen the WBA season ticket receipt on the Old West Bromwich photo's site?

My late mothers family came from West Bromwich, she had a brother George Frederick Smith who worked at Salters.

Regards Neville..
 
No I haven't I will go and have a search. So many Smiths......oh dear!
 
I have to share this with you all as it made me cry I was so happy!
I have received an email today from the archivist at WBA. The information is just amazing and has completely blown me away. It seems my gt grandfather was not the first club secretery but in fact the fifth. He also played for the club in it's infancy in 1879. Thomas was also involved in the setting up of the football assosiation as well a designing the club badge. On a personal note he has told me the date of his death as well which I had trouble finding with a name like Thomas Smith.
 
Isn't it a wonderful feeling when something like that comes to light, i can well understand you becoming emotional.

As i say to people its all out there, you just have to know where to look.
 
Wendy, what an amazing find and how lovely of the WBA archivist to send you this new information. Your gt grandfather has obviously left his mark in the world of football with the club badge and helping to set up the FA. You must be very proud. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Polly
 
Thanks for your replies I am trying to piece the info together now. I feel quite sad as I know from the 1911 census Thomas and his wife Jane had 10 children and by 1911 only 4 had survived including my grandmother. He tried to resign his position several time but was talked out of it. I wonder if the deaths of his children had anything to do with it.
 
Wendy, it is so sad your gt grandparents lost so many children - perhaps that is why your gt grandfather did try and resign - WBA obviously did not want to let him go though.

I hope you continue to find more information so that you can get a full picture of your Gt grandfather's life.

Polly
 
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What a result today. After some detective work and help from Kieron at Sandwell Bereavement Services. I finished work early so Michael and I went to look for my gt grandparents Thomas and Jane Smith's grave at Heath Lane Cemetery West Bromwich. I had no map just a section and grave number. I found it so quickly I couldn't beleive it!
 
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That happened to my cousins daughter when she went looking for nan's grave at Witton Cemetery. Arthur her dad had passed away at his home in Spain and Vanessa had no one to turn to as we were all away and she went to the cemetery and she said she knew roughly where the grave was but it was as if she was drawn to it. Thank you for the photo Wendy. Jean.
 
Thanks for the kind comments Jean and Lyn. I am so thrilled at this discovery especially now I have had it confirmed Thomas was involved with setting up the football association. He also designed the West Bromwich Albion crest from which they got the early nic name the Throssles.
 
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What a great find, Thomas smiths might be difficult to find but they are amazing people once you get there.

I am so pleased for you. HURRAY TO THE SMITHS.
 
wend..i have a spare west brom scarf here....your gonna have to support them now you know lol

lyn
 
Oh my goodness I know nothing about football I will have to learn.........lol

Smithy you are so right about that, I never thought I would find Thomas. The amazing thing is I found him by reading a book that was recommended on here. The book entitled The Gangs Of Birmingham. Thomas was mentioned in the book and now look what I have found!
 
Here is an early article about West Bromwich Albion sent to me by W.B.A.'s club archivist sadly we don't know which paper or the date the 70's referr to the 1870's date.
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Yes great result Lyn. I have never followed football looks like I'll have to now...lol
 
oh you must wend...seeing as you now have a great family connection to the club...

lyn...
 
Here is the information from WBA club minutes, which confirmed my great grandfathers connection to the club. No wonder he had letter scales which I still own. In the 1887 AGM it states he sent 1,818 letters post cards and telegrams in the season.


THOMAS SMITH


Thomas, was not as you thought, the first Secretary of the club, but in fact the fifth. Our records show that he held that position at the club between 1884 and 1890. He followed John Bisseker (1880/81); John While (1881/82): Arthur E Eld and Mr F Seymour (Joint Secs-1883/84) and Arthur Eld and Joseph Hughes (1883/84).

He was as you quite rightly say, an employee of George Salters, where as we all know it all began, but we have no information as to when he left their employment. Indeed, your email, throws further light on his biography. Thankyou for providing the information with regard to his employment at Salters between 1879-1911.

Thomas was also a junior player at the club, in it’s infancy, and there is one recorded appearance for the first team on 13[SUP]th[/SUP] December 1879 against Black Lake Victoria. Albion won the match 1-0, played at Dartmouth park. In the team line-up his position is shown as half back. It is also recorded that he played for a rival West Bromwich side, West Bromwich FC in the 1879/80 season.

He was indeed a very important representative of the club, and held down the position of first Hon Sec then General Secretary, a position he took up on 31[SUP]st[/SUP] October 1884. Both these positions were unpaid. Which caused him on more than one occasion to ‘attempt’ to resign. I say attempt because, he tried to step down several times, but on each occasion was persuaded to stay on.

Thomas did indeed design the first Club emblem of a ‘Throstle on the crossbar’, which of course led to the side being called ‘The Throstles’. This emblem was indeed adopted by the club committee in 1884. On 16[SUP]th[/SUP] December that year, It is minuted in the club minute books, that Thomas instigated a resolution regarding fixtures, and fixture congestion, postponing the issuing of said fixtures after 16[SUP]th[/SUP] December, due to the upcoming Cup matches that the club had to play. Therefore, after that date fixtures were issued on a weekly basis, and fans were notified in the local press. This was of course before the formation of the Football League.

He was a member of the Committee that oversaw the move of the club to Stoney Lane, a committee that was tasked with pursuing the possibility of such a move, which of course went ahead at the start of the 1885-86 season. He was in charge of affairs for three FACup finals 1885, 1888. And 1892, and of course as stated the formation of the Football league in 1888.

On the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] March 1885, He and Henry Jackson, were elected by the committee to attend an FA Meeting in London on 23[SUP]rd[/SUP] March 1885, to discuss Professionalism. He was an integral figure in seeing the resolutions approved, and we have what we have today!

At the AGM in 1887 (1.7.87) he expressed the desire to resign, because of pressure of work. He was of course unpaid, and in his letter told the committee that he had in the last year, travelled 4,000 miles on club business, attended 52 committee meetings, and sent 1,818 Letters postcards and telegrams during the course of the season. He was however persuaded to stay on.

On 16[SUP]th[/SUP] March 1888, At a Committee meeting it was resolved that Thomas would attend a conference held in the Andertons Hotel in London, with William McGregor and others, to discuss the formation of the Football league. Once again he proved to be an integral and important figure in the negotiations.

On the 19[SUP]th[/SUP] June that year (1888), he finally got some form of financial recompense, when he and Louise Ford, the financial Secretary were awarded a 25/- (shilling) honorarium.

In November 1888, he once again sent in letter of resignation to the board, tendering his resignation, due to the demands of the job on his health. One again he was persuaded to stay on.

Finally on 29[SUP]th[/SUP] April 1890, it is recorded in the minutes, that he attended a meeting and read out a letter of resignation, that he would be unable to accept office for the 1890/91 season. The committee asked him to reconsider, but on this occasion, and the minutes of the following meeting on 6[SUP]th[/SUP] May 1890, he stood fast and finally stood down from his duties.
 
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