Our Story

The Tom Mann Foundation was established in memory of a truly remarkable individual—a passionate footballer, dedicated member of the community, and beloved friend. Tom Mann tragically passed away at the age of 27 in an accident, but his legacy lives on through the work of this foundation.

Tom’s love for football began before he could even walk. On the day he was born, he was pictured with a football in his hospital bed. From that moment on, football was his life. As soon as he could walk, he was kicking a ball, and by the age of 6, he was already playing with his dad in the garden. Tom’s commitment to the game was unwavering. One cold November night, while playing with his dad in the dark, Tom famously replied, "Come on, Dad, just five more minutes — you know football is my life." That passion for the game never wavered, and it stayed with him until his final moments.

Tom grew up in Ketton, Rutland, where he played competitive football for Ketton FC from the age of 6 through to the Men's First Team. Over the years, he also played for Stamford AFC, Deeping Rangers, Bourne Town, and Huntingdon FC. His football journey continued into university, where he played for Nottingham University while pursuing a law degree. After graduating, Tom began a promising legal career with a London firm, all the while continuing to play for CSKA FC, a local team in Clapham, London. Since his passing, Tom’s former team, and one of their biggest league rivals have both retired the number 10 shirt in his honour.

Those who played alongside Tom describe him as not just a great footballer, but a truly exceptional person. His teammates recall how his talent on the pitch was matched only by his character off it:

"Come on, Dad, just five more minutes - you know football is my life!"

-Tom Mann , Age 6

“It’s rare you come across someone in life who doesn’t have a bad bone in their body. Tom Mann was exactly that—the lad was a diamond.”

“I’m immensely proud to say I wore the same shirt as Tom, not least as it means I didn’t need to defend against him.”

Tom was also an avid football fan. A lifelong Arsenal supporter and Lionel Messi admirer, he could often be found at Arsenal home games or traveling to Barcelona to catch Messi in action. His love for Arsenal was so profound that he even chose to live in the iconic Highbury Stadium in his final years.

Tom’s impact went beyond the pitch. He was deeply involved with local charities, organising food collections, charity runs, and coffee mornings for causes such as Age UK. His generous spirit and love for his community continue to inspire those who knew him.

After Tom’s passing, his family and friends knew that his legacy should be one that empowers the next generation of footballers, nurtures talent, and supports local grassroots football. The Tom Mann Foundation was born out of this belief, with a mission to make the beautiful game more accessible to all.