Charles Bellany Thomson
Encyclopedia
Charles "Charlie" Bellany Thomson (12 June 1878 – 6 February 1936) was a Scottish
footballer
who played for Heart of Midlothian
, Sunderland
and the Scotland national team
.
Thomson started his career with local side Prestonpans F.C., from where he moved to Hearts in 1898. Initially considered a centre-forward at Tynecastle
, Thomson also occasionally played centre-half, and he took on that role permanently when Albert Buick
left the Edinburgh
club for Portsmouth
in 1903. He played in the former role in the 1901 Scottish Cup
final, when he scored the third goal in Hearts' 4-3 defeat of Celtic
. Two years later he was deployed in defense but could not prevent Hearts losing the 1903 Scottish Cup final to Rangers
, in a 2nd replay.
As well as the centre-half berth, Thomson inherited the club captaincy upon Buick's departure south. Within a year he was also a Scotland international, making his debut in a 1-1 draw with Ireland
at Dalymount Park
in Dublin. A tenacious and inspiring figure, Thomson was a "natural skipper" and during his ten year international career 13 of his 21 caps were earned as captain. He was also renowned for his stamina, athletic physique and fitness and his penalty-taking technique. Most of his goals (including 3 of the 4 he scored for Scotland) came from the penalty spot and he missed only one penalty-kick in his career.
Thomson captained Hearts to a 1-0 victory over Third Lanark
in the 1906 Scottish Cup final but injury prevented him from leading the side in the 1907 final, when they succumbed to Celtic. There was some behind the scenes unrest at Tynecastle during the close-season however which resulted in him relinquishing the captaincy and eventually moving to Sunderland in 1908. He joined the Wearsiders alongside goalkeeper Tom Allan
for £700 in a joint transfer. At the time a transfer fee limit of £350 existed in the Football League and it has been speculated that the joint fee was a means to circumvent these restrictions, with more than 50% of the fee being liable for Thomson's signature. These suggestions are supported by two facts: firstly, Thomson was at that point Scotland captain while Allan was not recognised internationally; secondly Allan returned to Hearts merely 2 seasons later, for a fee much less than £350.
Thomson's time with Sunderland was no less successful than his time with Hearts. Quickly appointed club captain, he led the team through a remarkably consistent period: during his time with the club they finished no lower than 8th in the First Division. He made over 250 appearances for Sunderland and helped them to the 1912-13
League title. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on a double
that season when beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa
in the 1913 FA Cup Final, with Thomson and the Villa centre-forward Harry Hampton both later suspended for a month for their conduct in what was a bruising occasion.
Thomson retired from playing in 1919, at the age of 41, and became a publican
back in his native Scotland.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played for Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and the Scotland national team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Thomson started his career with local side Prestonpans F.C., from where he moved to Hearts in 1898. Initially considered a centre-forward at Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
, Thomson also occasionally played centre-half, and he took on that role permanently when Albert Buick
Albert Buick
Albert Thoroughgood Buick was a Scottish footballer who played with Arbroath, Heart of Midlothian and Portsmouth....
left the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club for Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in 1903. He played in the former role in the 1901 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
final, when he scored the third goal in Hearts' 4-3 defeat of Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Two years later he was deployed in defense but could not prevent Hearts losing the 1903 Scottish Cup final to Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, in a 2nd replay.
As well as the centre-half berth, Thomson inherited the club captaincy upon Buick's departure south. Within a year he was also a Scotland international, making his debut in a 1-1 draw with Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
in Dublin. A tenacious and inspiring figure, Thomson was a "natural skipper" and during his ten year international career 13 of his 21 caps were earned as captain. He was also renowned for his stamina, athletic physique and fitness and his penalty-taking technique. Most of his goals (including 3 of the 4 he scored for Scotland) came from the penalty spot and he missed only one penalty-kick in his career.
Thomson captained Hearts to a 1-0 victory over Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
in the 1906 Scottish Cup final but injury prevented him from leading the side in the 1907 final, when they succumbed to Celtic. There was some behind the scenes unrest at Tynecastle during the close-season however which resulted in him relinquishing the captaincy and eventually moving to Sunderland in 1908. He joined the Wearsiders alongside goalkeeper Tom Allan
Tom Allan
Thomas Allan was a minister and evangelist of the Church of Scotland, broadcaster, author, columnist and pioneer of practical church outreach in social work, primarily in the city of Glasgow...
for £700 in a joint transfer. At the time a transfer fee limit of £350 existed in the Football League and it has been speculated that the joint fee was a means to circumvent these restrictions, with more than 50% of the fee being liable for Thomson's signature. These suggestions are supported by two facts: firstly, Thomson was at that point Scotland captain while Allan was not recognised internationally; secondly Allan returned to Hearts merely 2 seasons later, for a fee much less than £350.
Thomson's time with Sunderland was no less successful than his time with Hearts. Quickly appointed club captain, he led the team through a remarkably consistent period: during his time with the club they finished no lower than 8th in the First Division. He made over 250 appearances for Sunderland and helped them to the 1912-13
1912-13 in English football
The 1912–13 season was the 42nd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Sunderland won the First Division for the fifth time, with a record of 25–4–9; Aston Villa, finishing second, had fewer defeats, but a lot more draws: 19–12–7....
League title. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on a double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
that season when beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in the 1913 FA Cup Final, with Thomson and the Villa centre-forward Harry Hampton both later suspended for a month for their conduct in what was a bruising occasion.
Thomson retired from playing in 1919, at the age of 41, and became a publican
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
back in his native Scotland.
Honours
-
Scotland Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 2
-
- 1901, 1906
-
England Football League Division One: 1
-
- 1913
- 1901, 1906