Player #3 for Aston Villa, Thomas Pank, known as Tommy Pank and Tom Pank played as a defender for the club. Tommy made his debut in the 1879-80 FA Cup campaign - Villa’s first entry into the competition.

Tommy was born in Aston, less than a mile from the current Villa ground, in 1853 and made his debut as a 26 year old on the 13th December 1879.

Villa had signed Tommy from Birmingham Excelsior FC and he went on to represent the club over the next two season from 1879-80 to 1881-82.

Tommy’s final game came on 21st January 1882 having made 11 FA Cup appearances, reaching the 4th Round on two occasions.

Tommy played in the era when team selection was made by a Management Committee rather than the latter day more typical Manager role.

He subsequently retired from football aged 29 due to injury.

Following retirement, Tommy became a Vice President of Villa in the 1920s.

Tommy passed away in road traffic accident in Oxford in August 1929 aged 76.