Tommy Sloan

Who was Tommy Sloan?

Thomas "Tommy" Sloan was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a right winger, most notable for being a member of the first Motherwell side to win the Scottish Cup, in 1951–52.

Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, Sloan joined local Junior side Arthurlie in 1942 and, after switching from centre forward to the right wing, became a regular in the first team. With the Second World War at its destructive zenith, many of Sloan's contemporaries enlisted in the British armed services to fight abroad. However, his work manufacturing munitions at the Shanks factory in Barrhead was considered a reserved occupation and he remained in Scotland. He would later work in the dockyards in Renfrew, another reserved occupation.

Sloan's performances with Arthurlie led to his selection for the Scotland Junior international side. They also attracted the attention of several League clubs and in 1945, after a dispute with the Arthurlie management, he signed for Hearts. He agreed, however, to stay with Arthurlie for the duration of their Scottish Junior Cup campaign, eventually helping them to the final, where they lost 2–0 to Fauldhouse United.

Sloan made his debut for Hearts in the 1946–47 season and quickly became a regular feature in the side. His supply from the right wing helped the burgeoning Terrible Trio inside forward combination of Conn, Bauld and Wardhaugh in their prolific scoring feats, while Sloan himself maintained a respectable scoring record.