David Thomson

David Thomson (baptized 5 November 1847 – 14 September 1876) was an England-born Welsh amateur footballer who helped found the Druids club and played for Wales in their first international match. He has been described as "one of the pioneers of Welsh football".

Early life and family Thomson was born in Dudley in Staffordshire, England, and baptized at nearby Halesowen in Worcestershire. Thomson enlisted in the Royal Denbighshire Militia, reaching the rank of captain.

Thomson was also an excellent cricketer with Wynnstay C.C.

Football career In 1869, Thomson (assisted by his younger brother) helped form the Plasmadoc club which in 1872 amalgamated with two other Ruabon clubs, "Ruabon Rovers" and "Ruabon Volunteers", and under the guidance of Llewelyn Kenrick became Ruabon Druids. Thomson became the first president of the amalgamated club. All three played a prominent role in the foundation of the Football Association of Wales in early 1876, with David attending the first meeting of the Association, when they agreed to adopt the Football Association rules. The international match was played at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club on 25 March 1876, with Thomson playing as a goalkeeper. The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply. Thomson had a tough international baptism with at least one of the Scots goals coming when Thomson and the ball were charged over the line.

Thomson died suddenly in September 1876, in his late 20s. As a mark of respect, the Druids players wore black armbands throughout the 1876–77 season.