Sammy Thomson

Samuel Thomson (14 February 1862 – 23 December 1943) was a Scottish footballer. A Scotland international, he was a member of the Preston North End side which became known as "The Invincibles".[1][2]

For other people named Sam Thomson, see Sam Thomson (disambiguation).

Sammy Thomson
1889 sketch of Thomson
Personal information
Full name Samuel Thomson
Date of birth (1862-02-14)14 February 1862
Place of birth Lugar, East Ayrshire, Scotland
Date of death 23 December 1943(1943-12-23) (aged 81)
Position(s) Forward or Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1882–1884 Lugar Boswell
1884–1885 Rangers
1888–1889 Preston North End 34 (10)
1890 Wolverhampton Wanderers 21 (9)
1891 Everton 3 (1)
1892 Accrington 19 (5)
National team
1884 Scotland 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Thomson was born at Lugar, Scotland on 14 February 1862. His first club was Lugar Boswell, and while with them he was twice picked to play for Scotland. He later had a short spell with Rangers, before becoming one of the many Scottish-born footballers who joined Preston North End as the Lancashire club assembled a side that was almost unbeatable.

Thomson signed for Preston North End in 1888.[3] Playing as a winger, he made his League debut on 15 September 1888 at Dudley Road, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Preston defeated the home team 4–0. Thomson scored his debut League goal on 12 November 1888, at Victoria Ground, the then home of Stoke. Thomson scored the third goal as Preston North End defeated the home team 3–0. He appeared in 16 of the 22 League matches played by Preston North End during the 1888–89 season and scored three goals. Playing as a winger (13 appearances) he was part of a midfield that achieved a big (three-League-goals-or-more) win on six separate occasions. As a forward (three appearances) he played in a front-line that scored three or more goals on three separate occasions. It was Thomson's performances in the club's run to the 1889 FA Cup Final that endeared him to Preston fans, and he earned himself a winner's medal as Preston North End beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0; he scored one of the three goals.[4][5][6]

He was an important member of the side that retained the title in season 1889–90 but in the close season he was persuaded to join Wolverhampton Wanderers without the Deepdale club's permission. The incident went before the Committee and Wolves were fined £50 for their misconduct. Having joined Wolves, he scored nine goals in 24 League and FA Cup matches and he then moved to Everton. After a handful of games for Everton he was on the move again, this time to Accrington where he ended his playing days. He later became a railway clerk based in Preston. He died aged 81 on 23 December 1943.[7][8]

References
  1. Douglas Lamming (1987). A Scottish Internationalists Who's Who 1872-1986. Hutton Press Ltd. ISBN 0-907033-47-4.
  2. "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 14 April 2018. (registration & fee required)
  3. "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 14 April 2018. (registration & fee required)
  4. "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 14 April 2018. (registration & fee required)
  5. Metcalf, Mark (2013). The Origins of the Football League The First Season 1888/89. Stroud: Amberley. p. 80. ISBN 978 1 4456 1881 4.
  6. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Preston North End. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 232–233. ISBN 1 85983 516 3.
  7. "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 14 April 2018. (registration & fee required)
  8. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Preston North End. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 232–233. ISBN 1 85983 516 3.
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