Tom Faulkner

Thomas Faulkner (c.1719-1785), known as 'Long Tom', was a noted English cricketer, wrestler and boxer. A Surrey man, he was a prominent single wicket player who is recorded playing in challenge matches at the Artillery Ground. He played regularly for the prestigious Addington Cricket Club in Surrey and appears in the records from 1744 until 1761.^[1]

Faulkner was also a well-known prizefighter. His first recorded fight was at Long Fields, Bloomsbury, roughly the site of the present Russell Square, 16 February 1757, against a Frenchman, Monsieur Petit. Faulkner won after ten rounds and 39 minutes. One of his last was against the Irishman Rossemus Gregory, 28 April 1777, which he won after twenty rounds and a gruelling 116 minutes. He was known to have had a broken nose.

Faulkner retired to manage the Welsh Harp public house at 28 Aylesbury Street, St James Clerkenwell. He died 14 March 1785, at a stated age of 66 years, and was buried in St James's churchyard.^[2]

References