Tim Williamson

While he was young, Williamson played centre-forward for Coatham Grammar School. He also played at amateur level for Redcar Juniors and Redcar Crusaders before he kept goal for Middlesbrough in a friendly game versus Cliftonville as a 17-year-old. Middlesbrough were very interested in signing him as a professional, but he only agreed under the condition that they allowed him to continue his interest in becoming a qualified draughtsman. Williamson's first competitive appearance for the club was in a game versus Crook Town in the Northern Football Alliance on 1 January 1902, with his league debut coming in a home game against Bristol City on 19 April of the same year. Initially an understudy for Scottish international Rab Macfarlane, he gained a regular place in 1903–04 and never looked back. Williamson's Middlesbrough service saw him make 602 appearances in all competitions, of which 130 were consecutive. His appearance total is still a Middlesbrough record. He was nicknamed "Tiny", due to him being barely 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall. He played in the last game at Linthorpe Road and the first league game at Ayresome Park. He scored two goals, both from the penalty spot, though after he missed one against West Ham United he never took another, after feeling the risk of racing back to his own goal was both too risky and tiring. He was Middlesbrough's first capped goalkeeper, gaining seven full England caps. His first came against Ireland in February 1905 in the first international…