Stephen Thompson (football chairman)

Stephen Thompson (born 1965 or 1966)[1] is a Scottish businessman, who was the chairman of Scottish football club Dundee United. He is the son of former United chairman Eddie Thompson, who died of prostate cancer in October 2008. Stephen Thompson then succeeded to the chair of Dundee United,[2] a position he held until March 2018.

Involvement with Dundee United

Thompson joined the Dundee United board in 2002 whilst taking on the role as Marketing Director at Morning, Noon and Night.[3] His father Eddie Thompson was the founder and Chief executive at Morning, Noon and Night and also the chairman of Dundee United. In February 2008, his father promoted him as chief executive with immediate effect.[4] Following the 2010 Scottish Cup victory, Thompson says he dedicated the cup to his late father.[5]

Thompson told BBC Scotland that the Old Firm leaving Scottish Premier League could damage the Scotland's top flight.[6] Thompson was an opponent of the proposal to reduce the Scottish Premier League from 12 clubs to 10.[7]

Thompson was also a member of the board of the Scottish Premier League until his resignation in late November 2012, citing "professional differences".[8] The resignation was explained over a clash with Ralph Topping and claims over leaking sensitive information.[9]

In February 2014, Thompson managed to help the club pay off their debt to the bank, the club have loaned.[10] The announcement were welcomed by financial experts.[11] In the years prior to this, the club had sold Johnny Russell to Derby County for £750,000 and David Goodwillie to Blackburn Rovers for £2 million.[10] Thompson says he was able to mend the club's mistakes during his father reign as the chairman and now handled their finance.[12]

In September 2014, Thompson revealed the investor was interested buying the club earlier this 2014. However, Thompson rejected the approach.[13] The club was relegated to the Scottish Championship in 2016, after they finished last in the 2015–16 Scottish Premiership.

Dundee United announced in January 2018 that Thompson would be stepping down as chairman at the end of the 2017–18 season.[14] Thompson resigned in March 2018, and announced his intention to sell his shareholding in the club.[15]

References
  1. "Key Staff". Official website. Dundee United FC.
  2. Lomax, Andrew (14 November 2008). "Stephen Thompson succeeds late father Eddie as Dundee United chairman". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  3. "Dundee Utd takeover complete". BBC Sport. 26 September 2002. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  4. "United reveal new chief executive". BBC Sport. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  5. "Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson to take Scottish Cup on emotional journey to father's grave". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  6. "English clubs cool Old Firm chat". BBC Sport. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  7. "Top 10 is sticking point for Dundee United". BBC Sport. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  8. "Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson resigns from SPL board". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  9. "Dundee United chief Stephen Thompson quits SPL board over claims he was leaking information". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  10. "Dundee United: Tannadice club wipes out bank debt". BBC Sport. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  11. "Finance expert hails Dundee Utd debt clearance.. but adds that fans deserve to be told details of £4m deal". Daily Record. Media Scotland. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  12. "EXCLUSIVE: Prudent Dundee United set to cash in". Express.co.uk. Northern & Shell. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  13. "Stephen Thompson: Dundee United rejected sale approach". BBC Sport. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  14. Nicolson, Eric. "Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson to step down". The Courier. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  15. "Dundee United: Mike Martin replaces Steven Thompson as chairman". BBC Sport. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
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