Thomas Brandon
Thomas Brandon was born in Kilbimie, Scotland on 26th February, 1869. A talented defender, Brandon played local football for Johnstone, Port Glasgow Athletic and Renfrew Athletic before signing for St Mirren in the Scottish League.
Tom Mitchell, the secretary of Blackburn Rovers, decided to strengthen his side by buying the best players from Scotland. Mitchell persuaded Brandon to join Blackburn.
At the beginning of the 1889-90 season Tom Mitchell signed Tom Brandon, Johnny Forbes, George Dewar and Harry Campbell from Scotland. These players joined local men, James Forrest, Herbie Arthur, John Barton, Billy Townley, Nathan Walton, Joseph Lofthouse, Jack Southworth, John Horne and James Southworth.
Brandon, Forbes and Dewar had all been recruited to improve Blackburn's defence. However, it did not perform well in 1889-90 as it let in 45 goals in 22 games. However, Blackburn had little difficulty scoring goals. The team beat Notts County (9-1), Stoke (8-0), Aston Villa (7-0), Bolton Wanderers (7-1) and Burnley (7-1). Top scorers that season were Jack Southworth (22), Harry Campbell (15), Nathan Walton (14) and Joseph Lofthouse (11).
In the 1889-90 season Blackburn Rovers finished in 3rd place, six points behind Preston North End. They did even better in the FA Cup. On the way to the final they beat Sunderland (4-2), Grimsby Town (3-0), Bootle (7-0) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (1-0). Unfortunately, Brandon was not selected for the final against Sheffield Wednesday, which Blackburn won 6-1.
Tom Brandon established himself as Blackburn's right back in the 1890-91 season. The defence did slightly improve that year, Blackburn was not as successful in front of goal and the club finished in 6th place in the league. However, Blackburn had another good run in the FA Cup and beat Middlesborough Ironopolis (3-0), Chester (7-0), Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-0), West Bromwich Albion (3-2) to reach their second successive final.
Notts County were their opponents. Blackburn selected the following players for the game: (G) Rowland Pennington, (2) Tom Brandon, (3) Johnny Forbes, (4) John Barton, (5) George Dewar, (6) James Forrest, (7) Joseph Lofthouse, (8) Nathan Walton, (9) Jack Southworth, (10) Conrad Hall and (11) Billy Townley.
Blackburn Rovers put Notts County under pressure from the beginning and in the 8th minute, centre-half Dewar scored from a Townley corner. Before the end of the first-half, Southworth and Townley added further goals. Jimmy Oswald of Notts County did score a late consolation goal but Blackburn finished comfortable 3-1 winners and won the FA Cup for the 5th time in 8 years.
Birtwistle, Tom Brandon, Rowland Pennington, John Barton, Jack Southworth,
George Dewar, James Forrest, E. Murray. Front row: Joseph Lofthouse,
Nathan Walton, Johnny Forbes, Coombe Hall and Billy Townley.
After playing 39 games for Blackburn Rovers, Brandon joined Sheffield Wednesday in 1892. He then moved on to Nelson before rejoining Blackburn in 1894.
On 4th April 1896 he won his first international cap playing for Scotland against England. Scotland won the game 2-1.
Tom Brandon played in 177 league games in his second spell with Blackburn Rovers. In 1900 he rejoined St Mirren in the Scottish League. After retiring from football Brandon emigrated to the United States. His son, Tommy Brandon, played for West Ham United, Hull City and Bradford Park Avenue.