Starting in Scottish football Tommy McLean had played close to 250 league matches for Blackburn Rovers when he arrived at St James’ Park in 1935. Playing little more than twenty times for Exeter City, he moved on to Barrow.

Tommy played for Arbroath, Lochgelly United and St Johnstone before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1926. Enjoying a nine-year association with the Lancashire club, he went on to score 44 goals in 247 league matches. 

Now in his early thirties, Tommy signed for Exeter City on a free transfer in the summer of 1935 and made his Grecians debut in the opening day of the season win over Aldershot. Appearing in the first four league games of the season, he then missed four matches ahead of appearing on a regular basis until the start of January.

Rarely playing afterwards, and not at all during 1936/37, Tommy left for Barrow in February 1937 explaining that the “the Devonshire climate didn't suit me”. Netting twice in 11 matches for his new club, Tommy soon retired from professional football. 

He died in 1983.