Thomas Edward Fern (1 April 1886 â 21 March 1966) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Worksop Town, Lincoln City, Everton, and Port Vale. He won the Football League with Everton in 1914âÂÂ15.
Fern started his career with Mafeking Rovers, Worksop Albion, and Worksop Town. He signed with Lincoln City in 1909, who had just been re-elected into the Football League. The "Imps" finished 15th in the Second Division in 1909âÂÂ10, but failed re-election after a last-place finish in 1910âÂÂ11. After spending the 1911âÂÂ12 season in the Central League, they regained admittance to the Football League and finished in eighth place in 1912âÂÂ13. He made 169 league and cup appearances at Sincil Bank.
Fern moved on to Everton, who finished 15th in the First Division in 1913âÂÂ14, before winning the league title in 1914âÂÂ15. League football was suspended due to World War I. After hostilities ended, the "Toffees" finished 16th in 1919âÂÂ20, seventh in 1920âÂÂ21, 20th in 1921âÂÂ22, fifth in 1922âÂÂ23, and seventh in 1923âÂÂ24. Fern made 231 league appearances at Goodison Park.
He joined Port Vale in June 1924. He was preferred to the inexperienced Sidney Brown and Robert Wallis, and played 37 Second Division and three FA Cup games in the 1924âÂÂ25 season. He made 39 appearances in the 1925âÂÂ26 season. However, in September 1926, at age 40, he picked up an injury and lost his first-team place at the Old Recreation Ground. He played just 11 games in the 1926âÂÂ27 season, as goalkeeping duties were shared out between Fern, George Holdcroft, Howard Matthews, and Alex Binnie. Fern then left the club and continued his playing career with Colwyn Bay United.
Everton