Career
He was recruited by from North Reservoir after he had initially trained with, and had been rejected by Essendon. Combining great physical size (200 cm, 955 kg) with tremendous athleticism, he provided with a formidable around the ground presence. In 1970 he and Des Tuddenham, vice captain and club captain respectively, refused to play for, going on strike to protest at the perceived unfair salaries being paid to lure interstate players east.
While this protest resulted in temporary souring the relationship between Thompson and the football club, Thompson returned to a leadership position quickly, as vice-captain 1973-1977 and captain 1978.
Thompson later played seasons for both South Melbourne (20 games and 39 goals in 1979) and Fitzroy (13 games, 19 goals, 1980). However, in all of his sixteen season, 305-game VFL career with three senior clubs, he failed to play in a premiership team, despite appearing in four grand finals: the 1966 Grand Final (which lost by one point), the 1970 Grand Final (which, despite being 44 points in front at half-time, lost 10 by points), and the 1977 First Grand Final (which was a drawn match), and the 1977 Grand Final Replay (which lost by 27 points).
He served on the board in 1982 and 1983. When selected its official "Team of the Twentieth Century" Len Thompson was selected as the first ruck.
He is survived by six children – Kari-Anne, Nicolas, Sam, Lachlan, Laura and Emily – and former partners Julie, Susi and Bronwyn.
That day was also 42 years after Thompson"s debut for
Len Thompson"s funeral took place at Melbourne"s Street Paul"s Cathedral at 10.30am on Thursday 25 September 2007. Sons Nicolas, Sam and Lachlan contributed a poem and personal reflections, daughter Laura delivered a eulogy and Emily read a scripture (John 14: 1–6). Tributes were delivered by Barry Breen (Street Kilda) & Gary Dempsey (Footscray and North Melbourne), Peter McKenna (), John Nicholls (Carlton), Des Tuddenham (), Mike Williamson (former professional athlete and Herpes simplex virus 7 television commentator) and Eddie McGuire (Football Club President) all of whom had long, close friendships with "Thommo".
Musical contributions were made by tenor Peter Brocklehurst (Avenue Maria), Kate Ceberano (Wind Beneath My Wings) and Mike Brady sang "One Day in September" in which he varied the lyrics to sing "Thommo, you were part of this old town.
In life you were the best man on the ground". The service ran for two hours and was a moving and celebratory tribute to one of the humblest champions to have consistently played at the elite level of any Australian sport.
