Craig Thomson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Craig Thomson is a Scottish
footballer who plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League
club Hearts
. He has also played at left back and on the right wing. Thomson was loaned to Lithuania
n club FBK Kaunas
after he was convicted of indecent behaviour. Thomson has also represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
.
; Thomson was named as the man of the match
on the official Hearts website. He made his SPL
debut 3 days later at McDiarmid Park
in a 2–2 draw with St. Johnstone, and was again named as the man of the match by the official Hearts website. Thomson earned praise from teammate Marius Zaliukas
, and won the SPL young player of the month award for September 2009. Thomson impressed with his crossing ability and delivery from corners and free kicks. On 31 July 2010, Thomson scored two goals with direct free-kicks in a 3-2 victory over Millwall
at the New Den in a pre-season friendly. On 23 April 2011, Thomson scored his first competitive goal for Hearts from the penalty spot, as the Jambos surrendered a three goal lead to draw 3–3 with Motherwell
at Tynecastle.
After he was convicted of lewd behaviour, Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas
. He returned to Scotland at the end of the Lithuanian football season
in November 2011, but was not invited to train with Hearts. Thomson is unable to play for a club until January 2012 because of the transfer window
rules.
, another club owned by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov
, on 31 July. This meant that Thomson became the first Scottish footballer to play in Lithuania. Thomson played for Kaunas until the end of the 2011 Lithuanian season
, in November.
, Thomson made his Scotland U21
debut in a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland U21
at Firhill on 17 November 2010. His second appearance at under-21 level came in a friendly 1–0 defeat to Belgium U21
, after which he was singled out for praise by manager Billy Stark
.
for 5 years and fined £
4,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent behaviour. The charges were related to "sexual conversations" that he had had with two underage
girls over the internet. Despite calls from fans for Thomson to be dismissed, the club after a full investigation opted to allow Thomson to stay at the club, acknowledging that his actions were unacceptable but claiming that there were sufficient mitigating circumstances. Hearts' decision was criticised by the mother of one his victims and a children's charity, while a water supplier withdrew their sponsorship of the club. Days after their decision to retain Thomson, Hearts suspended him.
Hearts announced on 10 July that Thomson would leave the club, following a further disciplinary meeting with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov
. It was not apparent, however, whether Thomson will be released by Hearts, or transferred to another club. On 31 July, he was loaned to FBK Kaunas
, another club controlled by Romanov. Thomson returned to Scotland at the end of his loan spell.
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 who plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Hearts
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...
. He has also played at left back and on the right wing. Thomson was loaned to Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n club FBK Kaunas
FBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
after he was convicted of indecent behaviour. Thomson has also represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
.
Hearts
Thomson made his competitive debut for Hearts on 27 August 2009 in the Europa League against Dinamo ZagrebDinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
; Thomson was named as the man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
on the official Hearts website. He made his SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
debut 3 days later at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
in a 2–2 draw with St. Johnstone, and was again named as the man of the match by the official Hearts website. Thomson earned praise from teammate Marius Zaliukas
Marius Žaliukas
Marius Žaliūkas is a Lithuanian footballer who is the captain of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. He plays as either a centre back or a defensive midfielder.-Club career:...
, and won the SPL young player of the month award for September 2009. Thomson impressed with his crossing ability and delivery from corners and free kicks. On 31 July 2010, Thomson scored two goals with direct free-kicks in a 3-2 victory over Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
at the New Den in a pre-season friendly. On 23 April 2011, Thomson scored his first competitive goal for Hearts from the penalty spot, as the Jambos surrendered a three goal lead to draw 3–3 with Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
at Tynecastle.
After he was convicted of lewd behaviour, Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas
FBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
. He returned to Scotland at the end of the Lithuanian football season
2011 A Lyga
The 2011 A Lyga is the 22nd season of the A Lyga, the top-tier football league of Lithuania. The season began on 12 March 2011 and is scheduled to end on 6 November 2011...
in November 2011, but was not invited to train with Hearts. Thomson is unable to play for a club until January 2012 because of the transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
rules.
FBK Kaunas
On 10 July 2011, Hearts announced that Thomson would leave the club imminently, following his conviction for indecent behaviour. Thomson made 52 appearances in all competitions for Hearts. He was loaned to FBK KaunasFBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
, another club owned by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Nikolayevich Romanov ; born 1947 in Tver Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR) is an ethnic Russian businessman who also holds Lithuanian citizenship following that country's independence from the Soviet Union. He is chairman of UBIG Investments which is the majority shareholder in Scottish Premier...
, on 31 July. This meant that Thomson became the first Scottish footballer to play in Lithuania. Thomson played for Kaunas until the end of the 2011 Lithuanian season
2011 A Lyga
The 2011 A Lyga is the 22nd season of the A Lyga, the top-tier football league of Lithuania. The season began on 12 March 2011 and is scheduled to end on 6 November 2011...
, in November.
International career
Having featured for Scotland U19Scotland national under-19 football team
The Scotland national under-19 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national football team for players of 19 years of age or under at the start of a European Under-19 Football Championship campaign....
, Thomson made his Scotland U21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
debut in a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland U21
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
at Firhill on 17 November 2010. His second appearance at under-21 level came in a friendly 1–0 defeat to Belgium U21
Belgium national under-21 football team
The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
, after which he was singled out for praise by manager Billy Stark
Billy Stark
Billy Stark is a Scottish football former player and coach. He is currently head coach of the Scotland national under-21 football team.- Player :...
.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| 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... |
||||||||||||||||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Scottish Premier League The 2009–10 Scottish Premier League season was the twelfth season of the Scottish Premier League. Rangers were the defending champions and they retained the championship with three games to spare by winning 1–0 against Hibernian at Easter Road on 25 April... |
20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 3 | |
| 2010–11 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |||||||
| 29 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 47 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 1 | 7 | |
Personal awards and achievements
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Young Player of the Month: September 2009
Personal life
In June 2011, Thomson was put on the sex offenders' registerViolent and Sex Offender Register
In the United Kingdom, the Violent and Sex Offender Register is a database of records of those required to register with the Police under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, those jailed for more than 12 months for violent offences, and unconvicted people simply thought to be at risk of offending...
for 5 years and fined £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
4,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent behaviour. The charges were related to "sexual conversations" that he had had with two underage
Age of consent
While the phrase age of consent typically does not appear in legal statutes, when used in relation to sexual activity, the age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to sexual acts. The European Union calls it the legal age for sexual...
girls over the internet. Despite calls from fans for Thomson to be dismissed, the club after a full investigation opted to allow Thomson to stay at the club, acknowledging that his actions were unacceptable but claiming that there were sufficient mitigating circumstances. Hearts' decision was criticised by the mother of one his victims and a children's charity, while a water supplier withdrew their sponsorship of the club. Days after their decision to retain Thomson, Hearts suspended him.
Hearts announced on 10 July that Thomson would leave the club, following a further disciplinary meeting with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Nikolayevich Romanov ; born 1947 in Tver Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR) is an ethnic Russian businessman who also holds Lithuanian citizenship following that country's independence from the Soviet Union. He is chairman of UBIG Investments which is the majority shareholder in Scottish Premier...
. It was not apparent, however, whether Thomson will be released by Hearts, or transferred to another club. On 31 July, he was loaned to FBK Kaunas
FBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
, another club controlled by Romanov. Thomson returned to Scotland at the end of his loan spell.