Tom Crosskey was a fine all-round sportsman who mixed playing as a professional in both football and cricket. Besides playing for Glamorgan in their wartime friendlies, he also appeared in Don Bradman’s final match on British soil as he represented Scotland against the 1948 Invincibles at Mannofield in Aberdeen.
Born in Sussex, Tom’s first professional appointment was as reserve goal-keeper at Crystal Palace, before moving to a similar position at Jack Harkness’ understudy at Heart of Midlothian FC between 1928 and 1933. During this time, Tom also played as a professional with Carlton CC in Edinburgh and met with success with both bat and ball. As far as his footballing career was concerned, Tom was also the goal-keeper in Scottish League football for Cowdenbeath, Raith Rovers and Montrose.
During the Second World War, he served with the RAF and whilst based at the St. Athan’s airbase he played seven times for Glamorgan during their wartime friendlies. Tom impressed with the bat and scored a fine 120 for Glamorgan against Western Command at Briton Ferry in 1945, besides playing some decent innings for Barry Athletic CC.
Glamorgan sounded him out for a professional contract in 1946 but Tom had already secured a lucrative contract with a football club in the Scottish League and duly returned north of the border. In 1948 Tom played for his adopted country in two one-day games against the Australians at the end of their tour. Tom scored 5 and 36 in the opening contest at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh before making 49 and 14 in the match at Aberdeen two days later. He subsequently appeared in four first-class matches for Scotland, against Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Sussex and the 1949 New Zealanders.
He also played for cricket clubs in the north-east of England, ending his career at Morpeth CC and representing Northumberland in 1957.
CROSSKEY, Thomas Roland (‘Tom’).
Born – Hastings, 4 July 1905.
Died – Totnes, 25 March 1971.
Batting and Fielding Record:
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| Wartime | 7 | 8 | 1 | 215 | 26.89 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
Bowling Record:
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| Wartime | ? | ? | ? | 5 | – | – | – |