Thomas Adey

Adey was born in Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, the eldest son of Thomas Adey, a railway engine fireman, and his wife, Mary. He played local football for Hetton Celtic and representative football for the Durham County side. Although a trial with Sunderland came to nothing, in late 1921 he turned out for Bristol City's reserve team and, despite the local paper's opinion that he and another trialist "may develop into useful players, but neither were sufficiently experienced for Southern League football", succeeded in earning himself a contract with the Second Division club. He never appeared for the first team, and was back with Hetton by the end of the season. He spent the following season with Bedlington United of the North-Eastern League. By February 1923, the Blyth News suggested that offers had been made for his services, and that there was "no doubt that Adey has few, if any, superiors in the position in the N.E.L." On Easter Monday, he was "outstanding" as Bedlington beat hot favourites Blyth Spartans 5–0 to win the Northumberland Senior Cup on their first appearance in the final. Having done his duty by his club on the field, he contributed off the field as well by signing for Second Division Hull City for an "excellent" transfer fee. Adey began his Hull City career with the reserves in the Midland League. The Hull Daily Mail were pleased with his early performances, which reminded them in style of the club's former centre half, Charlie Deacey, only…