Players - Tom Bush

Tom Bush
Birthdate: 22 February 1914
Birthplace: Hodnet, England
Date of death: 20 December 1969
Other clubs: Shrewsbury Amateurs (1929-33); Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United and Fulham (wartime guest)
Signed from: Shrewsbury Amateurs
Signed for LFC: March 1933
Liverpool debut: 30.12.1933
Last appearance: 07.04.1947
Debut goal: 17.12.1938
Last goal: 17.12.1938
Contract expiry: 1947
Win ratio: 36.23% W:25 D:22 L:22
Wartime games/goals: 35 / 1
League games / goals: 61 / 1
Total games / goals: 69 / 1

Player Profile

William Thomas Bush, to give him his full title, was born in Shropshire in 1914. His family moved to Liverpool, where his father became a hotel proprietor. Half-back Bush was one of so many players whose careers were disrupted by World War II. He first played for Liverpool's first team at the end of December 1933 in a 1-1 draw against Wolves. The 19-year-old, who started his career as a centre-forward, was credited with an assist for Alf Hanson' goal and was "cool and kept position well, but he lacked experience against a big and sure defence." His second appearance and last as a forward was unfortunately the infamous St James' massacre on New Year's Day 1934 when Liverpool lost 9-2. Bush didn't play his third game until two years and nine months later! By the time hostilities broke out in September 1939 he had made 65 appearances. He returned to Anfield when the war was over. He was happy that the atrocities were over but had to deal with a personal tragedy. Tom flew over the Atlantic where he had been on Liverpool's 1946/47 pre-season tour in America to be by his daughter's bedside. Tragically nine month old Christine Ann Bush died on 29 May 1946. Tom made three appearances as Liverpool won the League in the ensuing season. The last of his 61 league appearances came against Preston North End on 7 April 1947, over 13 years after he had made his debut. His solitary goal for the club came at Sunderland on 17 December 1938.

After Bush retired as a player he was for many years in charge of bringing players through the youth system at Liverpool preparing them for the reserves and then hopefully the first team. He also dealt with the administrative side of the A team working out travel arrangements, booking meals and doing similar tasks in the daily running of a football club. Much of his work was done away from Anfield in close co-operation with chief scout Geoff Twentyman by interviewing parents of youngsters who Liverpool had interest in bringing to the club. Bush's proudest day was when Liverpool won the FA Cup in 1965 when no less than five members of his junior development team won medals: Roger Hunt, Ian Callaghan, Tommy Smith, Tommy Lawrence and Gerry Byrne. He spent 37 years at the club apart from his war service. 

Tom died at the age of just 55 on 20 December 1969.
Appearances per season
Please note

The three League games played in the 1939/40 season were expunged from Football League records as the season was stopped due to World War II. The games are therefore not considered valid by LFChistory.net and as the "Association of football statisticians" does not count them towards official player totals.

Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 61 8 0 0 0 69
1933-1934 2 0 0 0 0 2
1936-1937 9 0 0 0 0 9
1937-1938 24 5 0 0 0 29
1938-1939 23 2 0 0 0 25
1939-1940 0 0 0 0 0 0
1945-1946 0 1 0 0 0 1
1946-1947 3 0 0 0 0 3
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
6 540 Middlesbrough
6 540 Wolves
4 360 Bolton Wanderers
4 360 Leicester City
4 360 Birmingham City
3 270 Everton
3 270 Derby
3 270 Huddersfield Town
3 270 Sheffield United
3 270 Leeds United
3 270 Preston North End
3 270 Chelsea
2 210 Crystal Palace
2 180 Brentford
2 180 Arsenal
2 180 Blackpool
2 180 Manchester City
2 180 Manchester United
2 180 Sunderland
2 180 Stoke City
1 90 Portsmouth
1 90 Aston Villa
1 90 Charlton Athletic
1 90 Luton Town
1 90 Newcastle United
1 90 Sheffield Wednesday
1 90 WBA
1 90 Grimsby Town
Total Venue
37 Home
32 Away
Total Competition
61 League
8 FA Cup
Total W D L Win % Manager
67 25 21 21 37.3% George Kay
2 0 1 1 0% George Patterson (2nd term)
Goals per season
Please note

The three League games played in the 1939/40 season were expunged from Football League records as the season was stopped due to World War II. The games are therefore not considered valid by LFChistory.net and as the "Association of football statisticians" does not count them towards official player totals.

Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 1 0 0 0 0 1
1933-1934 0 0 0 0 0 0
1936-1937 0 0 0 0 0 0
1937-1938 0 0 0 0 0 0
1938-1939 1 0 0 0 0 1
1939-1940 0 0 0 0 0 0
1945-1946 0 0 0 0 0 0
1946-1947 0 0 0 0 0 0
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Total Opponent
1 Sunderland
Total Competition
1 League
Total Goal minute period
1 46-60 minutes
Total Goal origin
1 Open play
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season Appearances Goals
1939-1940 8 0
1940-1941 2 0
1941-1942 9 1
1942-1943 5 0
1944-1945 3 0
1945-1946 8 0
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 30.12.1933 Wolves Anfield League
50 31.12.1938 Preston North End Anfield League
Milestone Goals
# Minute Date Against Stadium Competition
1 50 17.12.1938 Sunderland Roker Park League
Related Articles
The rabbit’s foot runs out of luck

A press report relating to Wolves - Liverpool on 11.02.1939.