Tommy Meade started his career as an amateur with Woolwich Arsenal in 1893 and stayed with that club for three and a half years, becoming a noted goal-scorer within that period before signing as a professional in 1894.
With his reputation preceding him, Tom signed for Tottenham in the summer of 1897 and was fast-tracked straight into the first team, but unfortunately, his presence in the side was short-lived thanks to the South London side making "exorbitant demands". With Bill Joyce stepping into the gap left by Meade, he established himself in the Tottenham team and Meade was then always regarded as cover for that position.
Tom's stay at White Hart Lane was two seasons long, with only a handful of games played within that time, before Spurs let him go in 1899.
The forward turned up playing again at Fulham in 1900 and remained at Craven Cottage for four years and became a pivotal figure in their Southern League Second Division title winning sides of 1901-02 and 1902-03, but losing on both occasions in a play-off final.