Mario Tomì known as Tomy was born in Thiene (Vicenza), on November 7, 1943.
His first club was Mantova where he played one game in 1962-63. The Virgiliani were in Serie A and finished 13th under Hungarian Nándor Hidegkuti. The squad included the great Angelo Sormani (Scudetto with Milan 1967) and future Lazio manager Gigi Simoni (1985-86).
In 1963 Tomy joined Reggiana in Serie C1. The Granata won the league and promotion, under Giancarlo Cadè. His teammates included, future Lazio, Carlo Facchin (1971-72). The following year La Regia finished 11th in B, under Dino Ballacci. In two seasons in Reggio Emilia, Tomy played 41 league games and scored 12 goals.
In 1965-66 he returned to Mantova in Serie B. The Biancorossi were promoted in 3rd place under Cadè. Tomy only played 7 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included the legendary keeper and Lazio manager (1990-94, 1997, 2001) Dino Zoff.
In 1966 Tomy moved to Legnano (Milan) in Serie C. The manager was Luciano Lupi and the Lilla (Lilacs) finished 7th. Tomy played 31 league games and scored 14 goals. In 1967-68 he stayed on and Legnano finished 8th under former Lazio coach Carlo Facchini (1962). Tomy made 36 league appearances with 12 goals.
In 1968-69 he played a season with Alessandria in Serie C. The "Orso Grigio (Grey Bear) finished 7th under local legend Mario Pietruzzi (283 league games over 15 years for the club). Tomy played 35 league games with 12 goals. The squad included there future Lazio players; Gaetano Legnaro (1970-72), Avellino Moriggi (1970-71, 1972-76) and Bruno Chinellato (1970-71).
In 1969 he joined Lazio. The Biancocelesti were back in Serie A after a year in B. The manager was Bob Lovati with Juan Carlos Lorenzo as technical director for bureaucratic reasons. Lazio had a good season and finished 8th. Tomy played 4 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia, 2 in the Anglo-Italian Cup and 2 in the Alps Cup.
The following season did not go as well and Lazio finished 15th and relegated. Tomy played 9 games in Serie A and scored one goal (Bologna).
In 1971 he left the capital and went south-east to Brindisi in Serie C. The Messapici won the league and promotion under future Lazio, Luís Vinicio (1976-78). Tomy then stayed on two more seasons in Serie B, finishing 7th and 17th. He played 40 league games and scored 6 goals. His teammates included former Lazio Alessandro Abbondanza (1971-72), Rosario Di Vincenzo (1967-72) and Giuseppe Papadopulo (1969-72) plus future Lazio, Luigi Boccolini (1977-78), Paolo Franzoni (1973-75).
At 31 he retired.
Tomy was a forward. He had a decent career especially in the lower divisions. He won two Serie C leagues (Reggiana 1964 and Brindisi 1972) plus another promotion with Mantova. He scored a total of 57 league goals.
At Lazio he played a total of 18 games (13 in A). He was a reserve behind Giorgio Chinaglia, Gian Piero Ghio, Juan Carlos Morrone and Giuliano Fortunato. He had the satisfaction of winning an Alps Cup and playing alongside some Lazio greats who only a few seasons later would become Italian champions (Giancarlo Oddi, Pino Wilson, Franco Nanni, Luigi Polentes, Pierpaolo Manservisi and of course the great Giorgio Chinaglia).
Lazio Career
Season | Total Games (goals) | Serie A | Mitropa Cup | Anglo-Italian Cup | Cup of the Alps |
1969-70 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
1970-71 | 9 (1) | 9 (1) | - | - | - |
Total | 18 (1) | 13 (1) | 1 | 2 | 2 |
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