Quick Facts
Biography
William 'Billy' Marshall Thomson (born 10 February 1958) is a Scottish former footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is a goalkeeping coach with Kilmarnock.
Career
After a fall-out at his previous club St Mirren, Thomson, a former Scotland international, signed for Dundee United in 1984 and spent the first season as cover for Hamish McAlpine. After a serious injury to McAlpine, Thomson took over in goal in October 1985 and wasn't to give up his place as No. 1 until the early 90s. A big keeper who caught crosses with one hand, he was in fantastic form throughout the UEFA Cup campaign of 1986–87, but just about lost an ear in a horrific clash in the 1st leg of the Final in Gothenburg. Thomson also played in two consecutive Scottish Cup Finals for United in 1987 and 1988. Thomson eventually lost his place to Alan Main and left for Motherwell in 1992, spending two years with the Steelmen. A surprise move to Rangers followed, where he spent two years as backup. Thomson remains however the club's oldest debutant at 37 years 50 days on 1 April 1995 against Dundee United. His final club was Dundee.
After retiring, Thomson joined Dundee's coaching staff before returning to Rangers as goalkeeping coach in May 2001, remaining until August 2007, when he left with no reason for his departure. Two months later, Thomson took up a similar, part-time role with Kilmarnock.
Thomson won seven Scotland caps during his time with St Mirren and was perhaps unfortunate not to add to that total during his time with Dundee United.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Lg Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| St Mirren | 1978–79 | 34 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 34 | 0 | |||
| 1979–80 | 36 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36 | 0 | ||||
| 1980–81 | 36 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36 | 0 | ||||
| 1981–82 | 35 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 35 | 0 | ||||
| 1982–83 | 35 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 35 | 0 | ||||
| 1983–84 | 30 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 30 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 206 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 206 | 0 | ||||
| Dundee United | 1984–85 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 1985–86 | 28 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 1986–87 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 61 | 0 | |
| 1987–88 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 50 | 0 | |
| 1988–89 | 35 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 1989–90 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 1990–91 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 161 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 234 | 0 | |
| Motherwell | 1991–92 | 43 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 43 | 0 | |||
| 1992–93 | 9 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 1993–94 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 52 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 52 | 0 | ||||
| Rangers | 1994–95 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995–96 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Dundee | 1995–96 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| Career total | 454 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 532 | 0 | |
Honours
- Dundee United
- UEFA Cup Runner-up: 1
- 1986–87
- Scottish Cup Runner-up: 2
- 1986–87, 1987–88