Peter Thompson (footballer)

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For other uses, see Peter Thompson (disambiguation).

Peter Thompson (born 27th November 1942) was a speedy, exciting winger who was part of the first great Liverpool team of the 1960s.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born in Carlisle, Cumbria, England, Thompson began his career at Preston North End after they had beat off 16 other clubs to the school leavers signature, he scored against Liverpool in an FA Cup tie in 1963, impressing manager Bill Shankly sufficiently to pay £40,000 for him later the same year. He made his debut 10 days later on the 24th in the 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, his first strike came a month later on the 16th September in the 6-0 thumping of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

With Thompson working the left flank and Ian Callaghan down the right, Liverpool began to make inroads into English football and won the League championship in 1964, Thompson's first season. A year on and Thompson was in the side which defeated Leeds United 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the FA Cup for the first time in the clubs 73 year history.

Liverpool won the League again in 1966 and Thompson was in the provisional England squad of 28 chosen by Alf Ramsey to contest that summer's World Cup in England. The host nation famously won the tournament though Thompson was one of the hapless half-dozen who was axed by Ramsey as he named his final 22. The same thing happened for the Mexico tournament four years later. He did ultimately end up with 16 caps with his first coming on the 17th May 1964 in a thrilling 4-3 win over Portugal at the Estádio Nacional, Jamor, Lisbon. But, unfortunately for Peter, Ramsey was known for playing without wingers, his World Cup winning side were famously renamed the 'Wingless Wonders,' and therefore players like Thompson were infrequently considered.

Shankly began a rebuilding project of his team after five trophyless seasons and a shock F.A Cup defeat to Watford and although Thompson survived the cull, the emergence of Steve Heighway curtailed his first team opportunities from 1970 onwards. He was, however, selected as the substitute for the 1971 FA Cup final, coming on midway through the second half for Alun Evans. His pass sent Heighway on his way to opening the scoring, but opponents Arsenal came back to win 2-1 after extra time.

Thompson played infrequently for Liverpool thereafter and left Anfield in 1973 for Bolton Wanderers on loan before making the switch permanent on the 5th May 1974. He retired after playing more than 500 career games, and became a successful hotelier in his native Cumbria.

Thompson is still held in high regard by the Anfield faithful and was voted in at No.48 on the Official Liverpool Football Club web site poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop.