Inside left Tony Weldon was one of an astonishing succession of  highly talented forwards to emerge from the relative obscurity of Airdrieonians during the 1920s. During this era Broomfield Park witnessed the emergence of Scottish internationals Willy Russell and Hughie Gallagher, and saw the Scottish Cup come its way in 1924. Weldon, who was signed as Gallagher’s replacement in December that year, immediately carried on the club’s attacking tradition, soon attracting scouts from England.

Everton had an interest in the player from April 1926, but it took several failed bids and nearly a year before, in March 1927, he finally moved to Goodison for a fee of £3,750.  Everton were in the midst of a spending spree and his arrival followed those of players such as Warney Cresswell, Dick Forshaw, Jerry Kelly, Ted Critchley and Tommy White. These men would form the basis of Everton’s success-laden immediate future.

Weldon made an immediate impression, scoring in his first three matches, including winners against Leeds United and Arsenal. But judgement remained reserved on the player. ‘Weldon scored in all his matches so far, though his general play has not reached expectations,’ bemoaned the Liverpool Post and Mercury. ‘He did not do much in this game, but he got his usual goal and that covered a multitude of sins. Still there were many faults all round though the heavy state of the turf made accuracy a difficult proposition even to the skilled artist…To attempt to dribble was courting disaster.’

Standing just 5ft 7inches tall, Weldon, declared one newspaper profile, was a ‘decidedly dangerous forward and shall do well with Everton’. His ‘forte is his shot, his surprise shot with either foot, is his best work’ and he possessed the trickery to ‘entrance the crowd’.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 1927 the next season belonged to Everton and Dixie, who scored his unforgettable 60 goals as Everton lifted their third League title. Weldon played in all but four of Everton’s games, scoring seven goals. Yet Everton were erratic and after plunging back into mediocrity he lost his place in autumn 1928 to George Martin and never regained it.  After playing just three times in the 1929/30 relegation season he was sold to Hull City for £1,000.