Thomas Needham (born 1864) was an English

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby le ...

who played in

the Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

for Derby County. Thomas Needham, a versatile forward, was a reserve player for Derby County at the start of

era. Thomas Needham, playing as a winger, made his Derby County and League debut on 6 October 1888 at

Stoney Lane Stoney Lane was a football ground in West Bromwich, England. It was the home ground of West Bromwich Albion from 1885 until 1900. History West Bromwich Albion moved to Stoney Lane in 1885 from their Four Acres ground in 1885. A 600-seat grandst ...

, the then home of

West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion Football Club () is an English professional football club based in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was formed in 1878 and has pla ...

. Derby County were overwhelmed and were beaten by the home team 5–0. Thomas Needham scored his club and League debut goal on 27 October 1888 at

Anfield Anfield is a football stadium in Anfield, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, which has a seating capacity of 53,394, making it the seventh largest football stadium in England. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892. ...

, the then home of Everton. Needham scored with a powerful shot to put Derby County 1–0 ahead but the home team were too strong as Derby County lost 6–2. Thomas Needham appeared in nine of the 22 League matches played by Derby County in season 1888–1889, scoring one League goal. Thomas Needham played as a forward (seven appearances) in a Derby County forward–line that scored three–League–goals–or–more once. Thomas Needham also appeared as a winger in one FA Cup tie.

References

1864 births English men's footballers Derby County F.C. players Burton Swifts F.C. players English Football League players Footballers from Derby Men's association football forwards Year of death missing {{England-footy-forward-1860s-stub