Astill: Thomas (Tommy)

1908-1911 (Leeds City Player Details)

Inside Left

Born: Brightside, Sheffield: 09-12-1889

Debut: Bradford Park Avenue (a): 26-03-1910

5’8” 11st 0lb (1908)

Starting with Sheffield Douglas, he joined his first professional club, Leeds City in December 1908 then managed by Frank Scott-Walford. He played almost exclusively for the City’s Reserves and minor teams but did play the one game at Bradford Park Avenue, which City lost 4-2. A 0-3 defeat at Turf Moor by Burnley saw the team drastically changed. Goalkeeper Tony Hogg was also on debut, taking over from regular keeper Harry Bromage as the last line of defence, Astill replaced regular inside-left Jimmy Gemmell to join two Leeds stalwarts in a left wing triangle with centre-forward Billy McLeod and Fred Croot on the left wing. Bert Packard came in a right-half for Hugh Beren, and Jimmy Horsley replaced Tom Morris at centre-haf. Leeds were 3-0 down by half time and in absolute disarray with so many changes in key positions. However, Fred Croot and Hugh Roberts pulled goals back after the break but City lost 4-2. Hortonian in the Mercury: "On the Leeds side it is difficult to bestow praise on any section. Hogg was a fairly safe custodian, and White was the better of a rearguard which did little of note. Horsley was the best of a mediocre half-back line. Roberts was not seen to advantage in the front rank, and Croot was well marked by Gordon. McLeod developed the game well, and Mulholland contributed several well-directed efforts. The line as a whole, however, was weak." That was Astill's only opportunity in the Peacocks' first team. He left Leeds along with goalkeeper Harry Bromage to join Midland League Doncaster Rovers in the close season of 1911. The two men were members of the Rovers side that finished third in the Midland League in 1912 and won the Sheffield Challenge Cup a year later. He later joined Non-League Mexborough in 1913.