75 years ago - England international rushes to Easington Pit gates to await news of an underground explosion
75 years ago today a top flight footballer who went on to represent England and win the FA Cup was amongst those who rushed to the gates of Easington Colliery in the wake of the disaster that was to take the lives of 83 miners. Tommy Garrett, born in South Shields in February 1926, had recently suffered the disappointment of losing in the FA Cup Final to Newcastle United, for whom Jackie Milburn scored both goals in a 2-0 success. Left full-back Tommy had earlier lost in the 1948 FA Cup Final when Manchester United beat Blackpool 4-2. Tommy had joined the Seasiders after playing for Horden Colliery Welfare during WWII when he worked as a Bevin Boy at Easington Colliery. As the youngest of seven sons from amongst 12 children he had briefly joined his father Joseph Frederick Garrett there. According to his sister, Barbara Harle, “Tommy hated it” and whereas their dad worked all his life down the mines the youngster, whose older brothers were miners for most of their lives, soon mov...