
Captain of Preston North End in 1938 when they won the FA Cup in 1938
By Jen Smith
Tom McCall Smith had graduated from Cumnock Academy Team via Townhead Thistle to Kilmarnock Football Club, then Preston North End.
Tom was born 1909 in Fenwick, Ayrshire and educated at Cumnock Academy, where he was runner-up to the dux medallist and finished his education at Glasgow University. His passion for football was too much an opportunity to miss, so he fulfilled a family tradition in the football world as a professional football player.
Tom’s football career was in the schoolboy’s football team formed by Mr J S Henderson at Cumnock Academy. In the team, he played outside right. He was later chosen to play right back with Townhead Thistle, a team that was entirely from residents, who lived in Townhead Street, Cumnock where he lived with his parents and family.
In 1928, Tom played for Kilmarnock Football Club and gained his first international cap for Scotland and played centre half for the Scottish team.
In 1934, Tom played for the Scottish team, which toured Canada and the USA. Tom remained with Kilmarnock Football Club for nine seasons until 1936. He was transferred to Preston North End, for £2,850, where two of his uncles, David and James Smith had formerly been playing members.
In 1938, at the Wembley Stadium, Tom captained Preston North End when they won the FA Cup. King George VI presented him with the English FA Cup. Result – Preston North End 1, Huddersfield Town 0 after extra time.
In 1938 Cumnock Town Council gave a civic reception to Tom who had won an international cap.
On 16 May 1942, Tom captained the Civil Defence Team (aka the National Police or Police Athletic Association), who beat the Amateur X1 6 – 2 at Stamford Bridge. He was presented with the Inter-Allied Services Cup by the Queen (Queen Mother). He is the only professional to be presented with cups from both King and Queen.
After leaving football, Tom settled in Preston, Lancashire, with his wife and son. He died in 1998 in Preston.
Archie Glen was born in Coalburn and attended Cumnock Academy. He was a Scottish association football player, who played as an wing half for Aberdeen for his whole career. Glen, who made over 200 league appearances for the club, helped Aberdeen win the 1955 league championship and the 1955 Scottish League Cup Final. He also represented the Scotland national football team twice in the 1956 British Home Championship. Glen represented the Scottish League XI seven times between 1954 and 1958.