Soccer Players from the Past
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Thomas Keegan an Irishman by birth, and in 1881 in Queen’s County, Ireland, first saw the light of day. He was educated at a private school at Worcester, and while at this school participated in all port, but showed special talent at soccer, representing the school at this game and also at cricket.
On completion of his school-days he decided to adopt the career of a veterinary surgeon, but in 1899, attracted by the lure of a country which promised rich return, he decided to emigrate to South Africa with his younger brother. On arrival in the country he joined the firm of Messrs. Playford and Fitzpatrick, solicitors, Johannesburg, and on the expiration of a certain period he was attached to the staff of Mr. Dale Lace. On the occasion of the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war, he went to Cape Town and obtained employment in the municipal offices. He enlisted with the Western Province Mounted Rifles, but the sudden outbreak of bubonic plague enforced his return to the Municipality.
In 1902 he severed his connection with the Municipality and returned to Johannesburg, where he received a billet in the Consolidated Goldfields. He was associated with the head office of this corporation for five years, and was then transferred to the Robinson Deep, Ltd., of which concern he was appointed secretary in 1914, an office which he still holds.
The day after his arrival in Johannesburg, 1899, Mr. Keegan joined the Wanderers’ Club, and since 1913 has been a member of the parent committee. He played hockey for the Wanderers’ from 1904 to 1912 and was captain of the team for several seasons. In 1909, with others, he was instrumental in starting the first golf course, with grass greens, in Johannesburg, on the property of the mine, viz., the Heronmere Golf Club, with a membership of three hundred. Owing to the mine extending its operations this had to be abandoned in 1915. He was captain of the Wanderers’ second eleven (Soccer), and has been a member of the Rand Hunt Club for ten years, and Master for a couple of seasons. He is now the honorary treasurer of the club.
He is keenly interested in horses, always keeping a couple in his stables, and last year secured a first and third prize in the hack classes at the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society Show. He is a lover of dogs, especially smooth-haired fox-terriers, and has a few prize-winners.
Mr. Keegan is a member of the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society, and frequently acts as honorary steward of the horse section. He has been chairman of the Mine Sick and Benefit Society since 1914, and is also a member of the committee of the Recreation Club.
Source Sport + Sportsmen of South Africa 1919