Tommy Langley was born 8th February, 1958 in the Elephant & Castle, Lambeth, London. He made his debut for Chelsea on Saturday, 9th November, 1974 in a 0-0 draw at home to Leicester City, Aged 16 years of age. Tommy's game did not develop sufficiently for him to make a lasting impression at the highest level. He signed professional from apprentice in March 1975.
The England Youth international had to wait until the end of the 1976-77 season, before he was given much of a run in the first-team.
Having been Chelsea's leading Combination (Reserves) League marksman with 19 goals in 1976-77. He first established himself in the side, in his first full season, during Chelsea's first season back in the First Division in 1977-78, during which he scored 13 goals, making him the club's top scorer. He was the club's top scorer again for the 1978-79 season, this time scoring 16 goals. But, Chelsea were relegated.
Having been Chelsea's leading Combination (Reserves) League marksman with 19 goals in 1976-77. He first established himself in the side, in his first full season, during Chelsea's first season back in the First Division in 1977-78, during which he scored 13 goals, making him the club's top scorer. He was the club's top scorer again for the 1978-79 season, this time scoring 16 goals. But, Chelsea were relegated.
Was voted Chelsea's "Player of the Year" for 1979. The spirited youngster put the seemingly limitless energy that had earned him the nickname 'Lungs' to good use, by constantly chasing lost causes and harrying defenders into mistakes.
After the club's failure to gain instant promotion in 1979-80, Tommy joined Queens Park Rangers in August 1980, for a fee of £425,000. A move that he still regrets to this day. He scored 43 goals in 152 games for Chelsea.
His time with QPR lasted only one season, 1980-81, where he would score 8 goals in 25 games.
Following that, he had often brief stints at Crystal Palace, AEK Athens, Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, South China, Aldershot and Exeter City.
In 1989, Tommy joined the Rowdies, in what was to be another brief stint, he scored on his debut against the Boston Bolts in a 2-0 win, on May 6th at Nickerson Stadium, Boston. That would be his only goal in 5 appearances.
Tommy then aged 31, made the decision, that it was time to hang up his boots. He then went out and worked for a photocopying company. But, football was his life.
Today, Tommy is back in football as a players' agent. And, can often be seen as a pundit on Chelsea TV, providing honest analysis on Chelsea games.
Many thanks to Jan Reinertsen for the Rowdies photo of Tommy.
No comments:
Post a Comment