- 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.
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 |
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.
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
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
A press report relating to Wolves - Liverpool on 11.02.1939.