Thomas Patrick O’Neil, born St Helens, England, October 25, 1952. Merseysider Tommy O´Neil agreed to his first professional contract with Manchester United in November 1969 and went on to clock up 68 outings in all competitions for the club before he was transferred to Southport in August 1973.
A disciplined and dedicated performer, Tommy O´Neil was given his First Division debut for Manchester United by Sir Matt Busby in an entertaining and high-scoring 4–3 victory against neighbouring Manchester City at Maine Road on the 5th of May 1971 and would go on to make 50 appearances in all competitions for The Reds the following season. Unfortunately, O´Neil fell down the pecking order and was loaned out to Second Division outfit Blackpool in the last half of the 1972-73 campaign and then signed a permanent contract with reigning League Division Four Champions Southport at the beginning of the 1973-74 season. While at Hague Avenue, he accumulated 197 Football League appearances for The Sandgrounders before he moved down the road to Tranmere Rovers during the summer of 1978. Following a two-year spell at Prenton Park, the affable right fullback joined forces with Halifax Town, then managed by Mickey Bullock, at the start of the 1980-81 campaign and stayed with The Shaymen until he retired from the professional game at the end of the 1981-82 season. Sadly, Tommy O´Neil died all too early at the age of 53 in May 2006. Tommy O´Neil Playing Career: Manchester United, Blackpool, Southport, Tranmere Rovers, Halifax Town. Playing Honours: None.