Born: Edmonton, 10 May 1914
Died: Maltot, 10 July 1944
Position: Midfielder
Signed: 1 March 1932
Fulham debut: Fulham 1-0 Swansea Town, 9 September 1933
Fulham appearances: 164
Fulham goals: 5
Gifted midfielder Jim Tompkins was the subject of a tug-of-war between Fulham and Arsenal in March 1932 when he signed amateur forms for the Whites whilst on the Gunners’ ground staff. A fair-minded sportsman, Tomkins worked hard to earn a regular spot in the Fulham side – breaking into the team which reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1936 – and was an ever-present from March 1936 until the outbreak of the Second World War.
Tompkins was a consistent and determined left half, a diligent marker and tenacious in the tackle, who had style and grace on the ball. He made 164 appearances for the Whites, scoring five goals, and served with the Royal Fusiliers during the war having been in the Territorial Army as a youngster. He was killed shortly after D-Day in Maltot in France and is commemorated at the Bayeux Memorial.
