Craig Thomson (footballer)

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Not to be confused with Craig Thomson (referee).
Craig Thomson
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-04-17) 17 April 1991
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing positionRight back
Youth career
Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2009–2012Heart of Midlothian47(1)
2011→ FBK Kaunas (loan)14(5)
2012→ FK Sūduva (loan)16(3)
National team
2009Scotland U192(0)
2010Scotland U212(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 March 2012.
† Appearances (Goals).

Craig Thomson (born 17 April 1991 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish footballer, currently a free agent, who plays as a right back most recently for Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian. He has also played at left back and on the right wing. Thomson started his career with Heart of Midlothian, but was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas after he was convicted of indecent behaviour involving children. Thomson has also represented the Scotland under-21 team.[1] football team

Club career

Hearts

Thomson made his competitive debut for Hearts on 27 August 2009 in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb; Thomson was named as the man of the match on the official Hearts website.[2] He made his SPL debut 3 days later at McDiarmid Park in a 2–2 draw with St. Johnstone, and was again named as the man of the match by the official Hearts website.[3] Thomson earned praise from team-mate Marius Zaliukas,[4] and won the SPL young player of the month award for September 2009.[5] Thomson impressed with his crossing ability and delivery from corners and free kicks.[6] On 31 July 2010, Thomson scored two goals with direct free-kicks in a 3-2 victory over Millwall at the New Den in a pre-season friendly.[7] On 23 April 2011, Thomson scored his first competitive goal for Hearts from the penalty spot, as Hearts surrendered a three goal lead to draw 3–3 with Motherwell at Tynecastle.[8]

Thomson was convicted on 17 June at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after admitting 'lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour' towards two girls aged 12 and 14. He admitted to showing them male genitalia, asking the older one for sex and engaging them in sexual chat. He was fined £4,000 and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas.[9] He returned to Scotland at the end of the Lithuanian football season in November 2011, but was not invited to train with Hearts.[9][10] Thomson was unable to play for a club until January 2012 because of the transfer window rules.[9] After making no appearance for the club in the 2012-13 season, Hearts announced that Thomson has been released and cutting his £1,500 per week wages bill.[11]

FBK Kaunas

On 10 July 2011, Hearts announced that Thomson would leave the club imminently, following his conviction for indecent behaviour.[12] Thomson made 52 appearances in all competitions for Hearts. He was loaned to FBK Kaunas, another club owned by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, on 31 July.[13] This meant that Thomson became the first Scottish footballer to play in Lithuania.[13] Thomson played for Kaunas until the end of the 2011 Lithuanian season, in November.[9][14] On 31 July 2011, Thomson made his debut for Kaunas and provided assist for Evaldas Razulis in a 3-1 win over FK Kruoja Pakruojis. On 28 August 2011, Thomson scored his first goal in A Lyga league and scored again in a 2–1 win over Sūduva Marijampolė. On 17 September 2011, Thomson scored his third goal in a 4–3 win over FK Atlantas. seven days later on 24 September 2011, Thomson scored twice in a 3–2 loss against FK Mažeikiai. Thomson made 14 league appearance and scored five goals for FBK Kaunas.[citation needed]

FK Sūduva

On 9 March 2012,[15] Thomson signed for Lithuanian A-Lyga side FK Sūduva on loan.[16] On 17 March 2012, Thomson scored on his debut for FK Suduva, in a 4–1 win over FK Tauras Tauragė.[citation needed] In August, Thomson made a return to Hearts after his loan spell at Sūduva had ended.[17]

Career After Hearts

Following his release from Hearts, Thomson moved to Cypriot side AEP Paphos.[18] However, the move was broken down after the club found out his sex register pasts.[19]

International career

Having featured for Scotland U19, Thomson made his Scotland U21 debut in a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland U21 at Firhill on 17 November 2010.[20] His second appearance at under-21 level came in a friendly 1–0 defeat to Belgium U21, after which he was singled out for praise by manager Billy Stark.[21]

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Heart of Midlothian
2009–10 20030002001002303
2010–11 2713000201---2914
Total 47160004011005217

Personal awards and achievements

Personal life

In June 2011, Thomson was put on the sex offenders' register for 5 years and fined £4,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent behaviour.[23] The charges were related to "sexual conversations" that he had had with two underage girls over the internet.[24] Despite calls from fans for Thomson to be dismissed,[25] the club after a full investigation[26] opted to allow Thomson to stay at the club, acknowledging that his actions were unacceptable but claiming that there were sufficient mitigating circumstances.[27] Hearts' decision was criticised by the mother of one his victims[28] and a children's charity,[29] while a water supplier withdrew their sponsorship of the club.[30] Days after their decision to retain Thomson, Hearts suspended him.[31]

Hearts announced on 10 July that Thomson would leave the club, following a further disciplinary meeting with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.[32] It was not apparent, however, whether Thomson would be released by Hearts, or transferred to another club.[33][34] On 31 July, he was loaned to FBK Kaunas, another club controlled by Romanov.[13] Thomson returned to Scotland at the end of his loan spell.[10] He has since been released by Hearts. In December 2012, Edinburgh Evening News reported that Thomson has been cleared for his actions on grooming, due to lack of evidence.[35] Upon his release, Thomson continues to remain as a sex offenders register for another three years.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Player profile - Craig Thomson". Heart of Midlothian FC. Retrieved 3 March 2011. 
  2. ↑ Hearts 2–0 Dinamo Zagreb, Heart of Midlothian FC, 27 August 2009
  3. ↑ St Johnstone 2–2 Hearts, Heart of Midlothian FC, 30 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "Zal Praise For Thomson". Retrieved 3 March 2011. 
  5. ↑ "Beckham inspires awardee Thomson". BBC Sport. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  6. ↑ Bending it like Beckham, Heart of Midlothian FC, 11 October 2009
  7. ↑ Match Report: Millwall 2-3 Hearts Heart of Midlothian FC, 31 July 2010
  8. ↑ "Hearts 3–3 Motherwell". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 April 2011. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Hearts sex offender Craig Thomson’s future in limbo as loan deal ends". Edinburgh Evening News (Johnston Press). 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Hearts' Craig Thomson in limbo after return from Kaunas". STV News. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Hearts confirm final release of Craig Thomson". Scotsman. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013. 
  12. ↑ "Craig Thomson Statement". Hearts News. Heart of Midlothian FC. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Pirmą kartą Lietuvoje rungtyniaus škotas". FBK Kaunas. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011. (Lithuanian)
  14. ↑ "Craig Thomson leaves Hearts for Kaunas". STV Sport. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011. 
  15. ↑ „Sūduvą“ papildė škotas FK Sūduva, 9 March 2012
  16. ↑ "Hearts' Craig Thomson returns to Lithuania". STV (STV Group). 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012. 
  17. ↑ "Sunday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 
  18. ↑ "Επίσημη πρώτη με μεταγραφή" (in Greek). kerkida.net. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013. 
  19. ↑ "Paeodophile footballer Craig Thomson almost lands deal with Cypriot club.. before they discover his pervert past". Daily Record. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013. 
  20. ↑ "Young Scots overcome NI". Sky Sports. 17 November 2010. 
  21. ↑ "Tommo's top display". Heart of Midlothian FC. 25 March 2011. 
  22. ↑ "Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month for September". cbfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2011. 
  23. ↑ "Footballer placed on sex offenders register". BBC News (BBC). 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  24. ↑ Gyford, Sue (17 June 2011). "Hearts' Craig Thomson guilty of preying on underage girls". Scotsman.com (Johnston Press). Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  25. ↑ "Hearts fans demand sacking". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 18 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
  26. ↑ "Craig Thomson". Heart of Midlothian FC. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
  27. ↑ Gunn, David (24 June 2011). "Craig Thomson to stay". Scotsman.com. Johnston Press. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
  28. ↑ Crooks, Lauren (26 June 2011). "Victim's mum reveals full horror of Hearts star Craig Thomson's depravity". Sunday Mail (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
  29. ↑ "Hearts urged to sack online sex offender Craig Thomson". BBC News (BBC). 26 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
  30. ↑ "Craig Thomson row: Drinks sponsor macb ends Hearts deal". BBC News (BBC). 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
  31. ↑ "Hearts suspend sex offender Craig Thomson". BBC Sport (BBC). 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011. 
  32. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (10 July 2011). "Convicted defender Craig Thomson to part with Hearts". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  33. ↑ Press Association (11 July 2011). "Hearts urged to clear up Thomson's position". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2011. 
  34. ↑ Anderson, Barry (12 July 2011). "Kaunas no go for disgraced Hearts star Thomson". Scotsman.com (Johnston Press). Retrieved 12 July 2011. 
  35. ↑ "Shamed Hearts star Craig Thomson cleared of preying on 12-year-old girl". Edinburgh Evening News. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 

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