Bobby Thomson

Club career Thomson was born in Smethwick, which was then in Staffordshire. He joined local side Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1959 upon leaving Lyndon High School in Solihull. He signed professional forms in July 1961, before making his senior debut on 27 January 1962 in an FA Cup tie against Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion. Between his debut in 1962 and 1967, he missed just 11 first-team games.

Unfortunately for Thomson, he was too late for the glory years and instead came through under the tail-end of manager Stan Cullis' 16-year reign. Their best finish during Thomson's time was fifth in the First Division in 1962–63. The club fell to the Second Division in 1964–65. They won promotion at the second time of asking – in 1966–67, as runners-up. In the summer of 1967, he was part of the Wolves side that played in the United States, guesting as the Los Angeles Wolves. Under that guise, they won the United Soccer Association league championship.

In March 1969, Thomson moved on to Birmingham City for £40,000, He did not play any first-team games however, and instead spent part of 1971 on loan at nearby Third Division club Walsall.

In 1972, he moved on to Luton Town, another Second Division side with ambitions of top-flight football. Thomson's teams had a knack for finishing second in the second tier, as the "Hatters" achieved this in 1973–74, as they watched Middlesbrough sprint away with the title. Luton were unfortunate to go back down in 1974–75, finishing a mere point from the safety of Tottenham Hotspur in 19th.

In 1976, his career was drawing to a close, and his best days behind him, Thomson went back to the States, spending a short period with Hartford Bicentennials. He returned to the English Football League, and the West Midlands, with Third Division Port Vale in October 1976. He made an 'impressive' debut in a 3–2 defeat to Wrexham at Vale Park on 16 October 1976 and earned himself both a regular first-team spot and the captaincy. He was selected by Alf Ramsey and made his full international debut on 20 November 1963 in an 8–3 Home International victory over Northern Ireland. His final international appearance came in December 1964.

He also played 15 games for the England under-23 team, which was a record.

Style of play Thomson was an exceptionally fast full-back and was also extremely adept at back-pedalling.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1961–62 First Division

1962–63 First Division

1963–64 First Division

1964–65 First Division

1965–66 Second Division

1966–67 Second Division

1967–68 First Division

1968–69 First Division

278!!2!!20!!1!!2!!0!!300!!3 Los Angeles Wolves (guest) 1967 United Soccer Association

1968–69 Second Division

1969–70 Second Division

1970–71 Second Division

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1972–73 Second Division

1973–74 Second Division

1974–75 First Division

1975–76 Second Division

110!!1!!8!!0!!17!!1!!135!!2 Walsall (loan) 1971–72 Third Division

Hartford Bicentennials 1976 NASL

Port Vale 1976–77 Third Division

Connecticut Bicentennials 1977 NASL

1978 NASL

1979 NASL

1979–80 NASL Indoor

1980 NASL

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International

Honours Wolverhampton Wanderers Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1966–67

Luton Town Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1973–74

England British Home Championship: 1963–64 (shared), 1964–65