It has never been confirmed exactly how old Tommy Blackstock was when he died playing for Manchester United. Some records say 24.
Others claim that the Scottish full-back had just celebrated his 25th birthday when he collapsed after heading a ball during a reserve game against St Helens Recs in April 1907 and never regained consciousness.
Blackstock played just 38 senior games for United in four years. He was regarded as a squad player, not in the same class as men like Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull and Charlie Roberts, who would form the backbone of United’s first great team.
But his death became a watershed moment for football. Blackstock’s family received no compensation for their loss, after an inquest ruled the defender died of