Salute to Tommy, the hat-trick hero who made history
it is a record one might think belongs to the likes of ronaldo, Messi or Gareth Bale.
But the man who scored the fastest hat-trick is not one of the Galacticos – in fact, his playing career took place in the highland league.
tommy ross holds the coveted Guinness World record for scoring three goals in only 90 seconds. Set in 1964 when Mr ross was 18, it has never been surpassed.
Yesterday, tributes poured in after his death at the age of 71.
While his career failed to hit the heights of today’s millionaire superstars – who have hoisted the World cup and won the champions league – he can lay claim to a footballing achievement they cannot.
the former ross county striker booted himself into sporting history after putting three goals past highland rivals nairn county in a minute-and-a-half long feat. the accomplishment smashed the previous official record of two-and-a-half minutes set in 1952.
the death of Mr ross, who went on to play for English sides including York city, was announced by tain football club St Duthus, which he managed in the 1990s.
the club, which plays in the north caledonian league, posted tributes on social media and said members ‘extend their deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to tommy’s family and close friends at this difficult time’.
Mr ross, born in inver, argyll, joined ross county in 1961, aged of 15, and scored his first goal for the club that same season.
he netted 44 goals during his record-breaking 1964-65 season, attracting attention from clubs on both sides of the Border, including cardiff city, Millwall, newcastle and aberdeen.
he moved to Peterborough united in 1965 then York city, Wigan athletic and rossendale united before returning to Scotland to play for Brora rangers in the 1970s.
a spokesman for Wigan athletic said the club was ‘saddened’ to hear of Mr ross’s death, adding: ‘he was with us for a season only back in our non-league days in 1969, but is remembered fondly.’
Mr ross later became a coach and was at St Duthus for several seasons in the mid-90s.
two of his sons, Stuart and andrew, now work in the management team.