Born in country Victoria to an African ex-slave who escaped the Southern United States, Banks was one of the most popular footballers of his generation, and in 1911 became the first ex-player to be awarded life membership of the VFL.

The son of Jordan Henry Banks (1832-1887), and Sarah Jane (1849-1940), née McMullen,[1] Thomas Banks was born on the Maryborough goldfields,[2] His father, Jordan Henry Banks, was once an American slave: His brother James Albert "Darky" Banks (1883-1930) played football and cricket for many years in Western Australia.

[6] He was an Australian rules footballer who was recruited from Maryborough[7] and played 171 games with Fitzroy; and, as third captain of the team, he was captain of the club's first premiership team in 1895.

[8] After retirement, he served at the Fitzroy football club as an administrator for many years.

[9] A former Fitzroy team-mate, Sam McMichael (1869-1923),[10] who had played alongside Banks on many occasions[11] — who regularly contributed to The Referee under the nom de guerre "The Onlooker" — wrote an informative obituary, that clearly situates the extraordinary Banks within his era:[12]