I knew Tom for most of my life. When I was a boy we lived about a quarter of a mile apart, and I went to school at Heasandford with his son Bobby. My Grandad Billy Pickard was the President of Burnley Football Club, and he held Tommy in very high regards as both a player and as a man.

Knowing the Cummingses starting during the great years of the sixties, I had not been involved with BFC nor seen Tom and Mrs Cummngs for several decades, choosing motorsport as my vice, and also living away from Burnley . However I had  the pleasure of being invited to Burnley FC to a dinner one night, many years later, with my wife Susan.  We enjoyed the formal dinner in the packed dining room, and then came various speeches, including one from Tommy himself.

Susan didn't know very much about my life as a boy, at Burnley FC, when I used to go down to the dressing rooms helping Billy Dougall, and Ray Bennion. And later knew George Bray, the trainers (as they were called in those days) and Tommy used to take my Autograph book when I was very young, and get the opposing teams to sign them for me.

So, after Tom had spoken at the dinner, I said to my wife how nice it was to see him again, after more than thirty years of not doing so. I suggested that we should go and say 'hello' in the interval.  She said to me  "How long since he has seen you?".  I said "About thirty two years"

She laughed and said "He won't remember you after all that time".

I said "I bet he does".

As we wiggled our way between the crowded tables Tommy was coming from the top table, where he had made the speech. As we got to the table where he had just rejoined his wife Joy, there was a loud roar.

"JOHN GETTY" from Tommy "How the hell are you?" as he and his wife jumped up and both then hugged me and shook hands vigorously, before turning to be introduced to my wife.

As we went back to our seats afterwards I was absolutely delighted, to have rekindled our long friendship, and also see my wife's flabberghasted expression.

I wil never forget what a great player Tommy was (saw him play at Wembley in the FA Cup final as well)

And What a wonderful 'bloke' he was. Bless you Tom and your lovely wife. !