- Birthdate: 20 September 1895
- Birthplace: St Helens, England
- Date of death: 11 December 1953
- Other clubs: Sherdley Villa, Sutton Commercial, Heywood United, Peasley Cross, Eccles Borough, Alexandra Victoria; Manchester United (wartime guest), Clapton Orient (1933-34)
- Signed from: Alexandra Victoria
- Signed for LFC: 1916
- International debut: 22.10.1921 vs. Northern Ireland
- International caps: 3/0 - 24.05.1926
- Liverpool debut: 13.09.1919
- Last appearance: 22.10.1932
- Debut goal: 15.10.1921
- Last goal: 15.04.1927
- Contract expiry: 11.07.1933
- Win ratio: 42.08% W:154 D:92 L:120
- Honours: League Championship 1921/22
- Wartime games/goals: 39 / 0
- League games / goals: 341 / 3
- Total games / goals: 366 / 3
Player Profile
Lucas was born at St Helens, a stronghold of Rugby League football, but preferred the round ball to the oval one. Lucas played in Liverpool's defence for nearly a decade and a half between the two World Wars and although he had spells when he was out of the side, his individual League appearance record for the club can only be bettered by 35 men who have worn the famous red shirt over the years. As the Football League returned to being a national competition in 1919, the slight-framed Lucas made 16 appearances. There was fierce competition for the full-back positions at that time and even though he played on 27 occasions for the 1921/22 championship-winning side, he was only called on once the next season due to Ephraim Longworth's and Donald Mackinlay's consistency, despite being an England international! The Derby Day Telegraph noted that Lucas was "not a big fellow, but sturdily built, strong in tackling, and kicks with a fine discrimination as to length and distance." He had "a hefty kick in each boot, and a sound judgment in regard to timing a tackle. And yet he is not a Longworth."
Undaunted by being virtually ignored as Liverpool retained the title, he would bounce back to make nearly 200 appearances in League and cup over the next five years when Longworth's career faded away. Lucas was selected only occasionally in 1928/29 but again with determination he forced himself back into the first-team picture and was one of two 'ever-presents', the other being Archie McPherson, during the 1930/31 League campaign.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
22 |
1980 |
Sheffield United |
22 |
1980 |
Sunderland |
20 |
1800 |
Aston Villa |
20 |
1800 |
Newcastle United |
18 |
1620 |
Blackburn Rovers |
17 |
1530 |
Huddersfield Town |
16 |
1440 |
Arsenal |
15 |
1350 |
Bolton Wanderers |
14 |
1260 |
Birmingham City |
14 |
1260 |
Manchester United |
13 |
1170 |
West Ham United |
13 |
1170 |
Manchester City |
12 |
1080 |
Burnley |
11 |
990 |
Everton |
11 |
990 |
Tottenham |
11 |
990 |
Cardiff City |
11 |
990 |
Middlesbrough |
10 |
900 |
Leeds United |
10 |
900 |
Chelsea |
10 |
900 |
WBA |
8 |
720 |
Leicester City |
8 |
720 |
Bury |
8 |
720 |
Derby |
7 |
630 |
Preston North End |
7 |
630 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
6 |
540 |
Portsmouth |
5 |
450 |
Grimsby Town |
5 |
450 |
Notts County |
4 |
360 |
Bradford City |
4 |
360 |
Blackpool |
4 |
360 |
Nottingham Forest |
3 |
270 |
Southampton |
2 |
180 |
Bournemouth |
1 |
90 |
Southport |
1 |
90 |
Bradford Park Avenue |
1 |
90 |
Darlington |
1 |
90 |
Fulham |
1 |
90 |
Bristol City |
Total |
Venue |
185 |
Home |
181 |
Away |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season |
Appearances |
Goals |
1916-1917 |
29 |
0 |
1917-1918 |
10 |
0 |
Milestone Appearances
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
60 |
15.10.1921 |
Preston North End |
Anfield |
League |
Related Articles
From the Bucks Herald on 30 January 1953.
John Player & Sons issued Football caricatures by "Mac" - a series of 50 on their cigarette cards. Tommy Lucas was one of the 50 that were featured.
Related Quotes
"One of the best headers of a ball Liverpool ever had was a lad called Tommy Lucas who was very small but could get up amazingly in the air. A bit like Kevin Keegan in that respect."
Leslie "Bee" Edwards, the sports editor of the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.
Scrapbook
Liverpool's footballers in training by the sea - 20 January 1926