Background
Thompson was born in Maltby, South Yorkshire, the son of George Thompson, the York City (and later Southampton) goalkeeper.
Thompson was born in Maltby, South Yorkshire, the son of George Thompson, the York City (and later Southampton) goalkeeper.
Thompson kept a clean sheet as the match finished 0–0.
Thompson"s professional career started when he signed for Chesterfield in June 1947. He spent three years at Saltergate without making a first-team appearance. In June 1950, he joined Scunthorpe & Lindsey United for their first season in the Third Division North of the Football League, making his debut on the opening day of the season on 11 August 1950 against Shrewsbury Town, also newly elected to the Football league.
Over the next two seasons, he became a first team fixture, making 92 league appearances for Scunthorpe.
In October 1952, Thompson joined, replacing Malcolm Newlands, and made his debut in a 5–2 victory at Portsmouth on 25 October. He made 30 appearances during the 1952-1953 season, keeping ten clean sheets, as Preston finished runners-up to Arsenal for the First Division title.
On 14 February 1953, were playing Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale. Derek Dooley was chasing a long pass from Albert Quixall when he collided with Thompson just as he made contact with the ball, breaking the centre-forward"s leg in two places.
Dooley never recovered from his injuries with gangrene setting into his leg, and as a result had to have his right leg amputated just above the knee, thus ending his playing career.
In the match against West Bromwich Albion, on 1 May 1954, led 2–1 thanks to goals from Angus Morrison and Charlie Wayman. A penalty conceded by Tommy Docherty and a late goal from Frank Griffin who slipped the ball under Thompson turned the game which ended 3–2. Thompson played regularly over the next two seasons before losing his place to the younger Fred Else.
In all he made 155 appearances for Preston in four years.
Thompson joined Manchester City in June 1956 as understudy to Bert Trautmann, making only two first-team appearances in his year at Maine Road. In the summer of 1957, Thompson joined Carlisle United where he stayed for five seasons making 206 appearances before retiring in 1962, dropping down to non-league football with Morecambe.
Thompson was a "brilliant artist," well known for his caricatures of League football players.