Hallett: Thomas Reginald (Tom)

1956-1963 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Glynneath, Nr Swansea: 10-04-1939

Debut: v Blackburn Rovers (a): 17-10-1962

5’11 1/4” 12st 10lb (1962)

Hallett, a Welsh Schoolboy International, joined the Leeds ground staff in June 1954, after playing for Glynneath Secondary Modern and Neath Grammar Schools. He turned professional in April 1956 but did not play for Leeds in the League but played many games at the Reserve level. Leeds had a good scouting system in place in South Wales and after yielding the World Class John Charles, Tom Hallett came from the same system that would later unearth Gary Sprake and Terry Yorath. His only game for United came in the League Cup at Blackburn in 1962, which United lost 4-0. Gary Sprake was in that side at Ewood Park as Leeds were decidedly second best and had it not been for the heroics of the young Welsh keeper the defeat would have been much heavier. Hallett, standing in for Jack Charlton, was up against future England Centre Forward Fred Pickering and managed to restrict him to a goal in the final minute, when he got Blackburn's second goal in three minutes as the Leeds defence finally capitulated. It was to be his only game for United and he joined Swindon Town in July 1963. He made twenty-six League appearances and one in the League Cup without scoring, for the Robins. He finally found regular football when he was sold to Bradford City for £1,200 in June 1966, becoming an almost ever-present. He became captain and he made one hundred and seventy-seven League starts and two off the bench and scored two goals before being released in June 1971. He did have one period off with injury after he had torn his cruciate ligaments during a match against Southend United, but was only out for a matter of seventeen weeks, "even walking off the pitch unaided after his injury" and, when he came back to play, "I just had to have a couple of cortisone injections then they strapped me up and threw me out on the pitch." He is quoted as saying! He was joint caretaker Manager of Bradford City, along with Jimmy McInearney for a few weeks after the tragic death of Grenville Hair in 1968. He later worked as a prison officer and still maintains close contacts with his former Leeds United and Bradford City teammates.