Winger Albert Tomkin made his debut, along with Ron Burgess, as Tottenham beat the Canaries 2-1 in 1939, but his Spurs career had taken a while to get going. Tomkin was on trial with Spurs in 1937 and having been signed up, he stayed with the club, until he was called up to serve in World War II.
A left winger who started with Formby FC – an amateur side, Albert was picked for the Northern Counties against the Southern Counties in 1937, before he played in a trial match for Spurs Reserves in November of that year against Oxford University.
Having just qualified as a chemist, Tottenham moved Albert into accommodation in Chingford and he played for Northfleet United, the clubs' nursery side. Impressing there, Spurs signed him on professional terms in December 1937 and his first A Team match against Crittall's Athletic was marked with a goal on the 18th of that month. The day after Boxing Day, Albert was playing in the London Combination against Chelsea.
The following season saw Tomkin star in the Reserves, with some games for the A Team, but he made his breakthrough and having been relegated, the winger was playing in the Second Division when war was declared.
He was part of the War Police Reserve and was in the same side as some of his team-mates representing the Tottenham Police. Albert made one appearance for the Spurs war-time team in December 1939, which turned out to be his last for the club before he returned home to play for Southport, before he joined up and served in the Army.
His football career continued in war-time games for Cardiff City, Swansea and Luton Town.
Albert Tomkin died in Leyland, Lancashire on 3rd September 1989.