PETER THOMPSON RIP

Sadly another death to report, that of Peter Thompson who spent the major part of his career with the great Liverpool side, then Preston and then Bolton. He retired and ran a caravan site at Knott End on Sea, then hotels in the Lake District and Harrogate. he died at the age of 76.

Born in Carlisle, he played for nearest club Preston, for whom he played 121 times and scored 60 goals between 1960-3. That is quite a return but he was much more of a supplier than finisher. He made his name with Shankly 426 times and scored 54 goals (1963-73 missing only 10 games) and then Bolton 117 times with a minimal return of 2 goals (1973-8). Remarkable!

His 16 England appearances, with NO goals, included the World Cup of 1970 when Bobby Moore was involved in the Bogota bracelet scandal. Thompson was required as a witness, character reference etc. Alf Ramsey of course didn't use wingers so Thompson didn't fit the 433 plan, though it worked for Ramsey, but Thompson missed out in 1966 and 1970.

Born in Carlisle he went to Harraby GS and played for England schoolboys, becoming sought after by many clubs. His debut was against Arsenal on September 30th 1960. Preston got him and even fought off the attentions of Juventus.

Liverpool signed him after Preston were relegated that season, Shankly spending £37,000 for the right footed, left winger. He had watched Thompson play for Preston against Liverpool in a marathon 5th Round FA Cup tie in 1962, which Thompson eventually settled on the second replay. Many saw Shanky's "signing" as daylight robbery!! Thompson's work rate and dribbling ability was second to none.

My personal advisor suggested that like having two fast bowlers operating from each end of a test cricket match, Liverpool had two wingers, Thompson and Callaghan, who constantly worked the flanks and supplied central forwards with a constant supply of crosses for St John and Hunt.

Knee trouble haunted Thompson later in his career and he languished in the reserves until Jimmy Armfield signed him on loan for Bolton in 1973, retiring at the end of 1978 having helped the Wanderers to promotion.

Shankly said "He could run for ever and even more importantly he could run with the ball! The hardest thing to do."
If you are interested
https://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3315
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https://bit.ly/2GPXsmN