Charlie Thomson

Charles Richard Thomson (2 March 1930 – 6 January 2009), also known as Chick Thomson, was a Scottish football goalkeeper. After playing for Clyde he won the 1954–55 Football League with Chelsea and the 1959 FA Cup Final with Nottingham Forest.

For other people named Charles Thomson, see Charles Thomson (disambiguation).

Charlie Thomson
Charlie Thomson, May 1955
Personal information
Full name Charles Richard Thomson[1]
Date of birth (1930-03-02)2 March 1930
Place of birth Perth, Scotland
Date of death 6 January 2009(2009-01-06) (aged 78)
Place of death Nottingham, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1949–1952 Clyde 19 (0)
1952–1957 Chelsea 46 (0)
1957–1961 Nottingham Forest 121 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Life and playing career

Clyde

Born in Perth, the son of Falkirk's goalkeeper, also named Charlie Thomson,[2] Thomson began his career with Clyde. One of his first appearances for the club came in the Scottish Cup against Rangers at Hampden Park, though his side lost 4–1. He stayed with the club until October 1952.

Chelsea

He became one of the first signings of new Chelsea manager, Ted Drake. Thomson was a member of Chelsea's 1954–55 league title-winning side playing in the final 16 games of the run-in. That included the title decider against Chelsea's main rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers, in which Thomson made a crucial last-minute save to secure a 1–0 win.[3]

He struggled to retain his position as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper losing out to Bill Robertson. Thomson transferred in 1957 having made 59 Chelsea appearances.

Nottingham Forest

Thomson made his debut for Forest in the opening game of the 1957/58 season at the City Ground in a 2–1 victory against Preston North End.[4] Two years after joining Forest he was a member of their 1958–59 FA Cup winning team. Forest were 2-0 up after 14 minutes. Luton Town hit back midway through the second half after Forest's opening goalscorer Roy Dwight broke his leg in the 33rd minute. Forest had further personnel issue when cramp reduced Bill Whare to little more than a hobbling spectator. Thomson helped Forest protect their 2–1 lead to lift the trophy at Wembley. Thomson was replaced as the Forest goalkeeper by Peter Grummitt in November 1960.[4] He remained at Forest until 1961, making 136 appearances.

Non League Football

In 1961 he joined Southern League side Rugby Town where he made a further 60 appearances and where he ended his career.

Death

He died on 6 January 2009 in Sandiacre.

Honours

Chelsea

Nottingham Forest

References
  1. "Charlie Thomson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  2. Carder, Tim; Harris, Roger (1997). Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. pp. 240–241. ISBN 978-0-9521337-1-1.
  3. Henderson, Charlie (30 April 2005). "Champions of a different era". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  4. Smales, Ken (2006). Nottingham Forest The Official Statistical History. Pineapple Books.
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