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| PETER THOMPSON - On a Wing and a Slayer... Member Roger Clarke’s account of a meeting with a Kop hero  It was the summer of 2006 and a time to introduce my 8-year-old daughter Martha and her Liverpool-crazy friend Luke to a Liverpool legend, Mr Peter Thompson. With the glitz and the glamour and the 24-hour constant sporting noise, it’s easy to forget the class of players such as Peter Thompson. We were privileged enough to share 40 minutes with him at his Harrogate hotel where his class shone through, not just in the medals he won but in the time he gave up and his manner in talking to two young fans about his career. In a world where even the most average of Premiership players thinks he is a mover and a shaker - when reality tells us that a lot are groovers and fakers - Peter Thompson inhabited a world that was completely different to the one we see today. Peter joined Liverpool in April 1963 from Preston and chose to join the Reds rather than Everton, Wolves or Juventus who were all interested in signing him. Bill Shankly paid a club record fee at the time of 40,000 pounds to sign the winger; a signing that paid its way, as the following year Liverpool won the 1st Division Championship. Peter Thompson has been described as a soccer sorcerer, a wing wizard, a pleaser of crowds and a teaser of full backs. He could torment any full back in the country on his day. Poise and grace were attributes that he carried along with great sportsmanship and humility. He was a hard working player who combined that work ethic with his great natural flair to become one of Liverpool’s greatest wingers. Despite being right-footed, Peter came into the side on the left flank and Ian Callaghan patrolled the right flank, making them the most feared and formidable wing partnership in British football. His impact at Anfield was immense and the only criticism that could be laid towards him is that he should have scored more goals. He possessed a fierce shot and his crosses were invariably centered to where they could do most damage. Peter capped his first, richly rewarding term as a Red with his most devastating display to date. He scored twice and turned the Arsenal defence inside out as Liverpool made certain of the title, drubbing the Gunners 5-0 in front of an ecstatic Kop. Peter’s progress within the team continued in his second season when he helped the Reds to lift the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history in 1965. His personal highlight was waltzing past John Hollins and Marvin Hinton to grab the first goal in the semi-final against Chelsea with a fearsome left footed drive between Peter Bonetti and his near post. A second championship medal soon followed but the nearest Peter came to further cup success was in 1971 when he came on as a substitute to breathe life into a hitherto dull final which Arsenal won to clinch the double. By then he was plagued by knee trouble and after a lot of time on the treatment table he moved to Bolton in November 1973. Surprisingly, in view of past injuries, he was able to put in four spirited years before retiring. International - Wingless Wonders Peter collected 16 caps for England and would surely have collected more if Sir Alf Ramsey hadn’t decided to form his team without wingers. He starred in Brazil in 1964 and still represented England as late as 1970 and was part of the Mexico World Cup squad. Peter had a tremendously high level of fitness and Shanks once said, "If you’re feeling tired boys, pass the ball to Peter and let him go for a run with it." Peter was a man who could dribble for 90 minutes and still have enough left in the tank for more. Dribbling is an art form, and a very tiring one at that. Jinking left and right, stepping over the ball and changing pace and direction can be an extremely tiring exercise. Peter was born to do it, and love it. As we left, Peter was finishing signing some old Liverpool photographs that he gets sent to sign from fans. No complaints about the time and effort, just amazed that fans still want his autograph... A true Liverpool Great, a hero and a gentleman...Mr Peter Thompson. Career details Preston North End F.C. (1960 - 1963) 122 league appearances, 20 league goals Liverpool F.C (1963 - 1974) 415 appearances, 54 goals 2 First Division (level 1) championship winners medals (1964 and 1966) F.A Cup winners medal (1965) 3 Charity Shield winners medals (1964 (shared), 1965 (shared) and 1966) First Division runners-up medal (1969) F.A Cup runners-up medal (1971) European Cup Winners Cup runners-up medal (1966) Charity Shield runners-up medal (1970) |
| Features and Submissions Original writing by Club members Peter Thompson - On a Wing and a Slayer 50,000 and Counting! A Greek Odyssey! We welcome submissions from our members. Send your contribution to: info@hongkongreds.com The Big Red Quiz All the questions and answers from our previous quizzes Chelsea v Liverpool - 17.09.06 Everton v Liverpool - 09.09.06 Sheff Utd v Liverpool - 19.08.06 Supporter Spotlight Find out more about our members Roger Shuttleworth Jon Wharton Ken Abela Meko Oh Lily Lam Chin Ian Agass Jason Li Rob Kelly Simon Betterton David Thomas Legend Spotlight Interviews with LFC heroes Mark Walters Alan Kennedy John Barnes Steve McMahon Referee Spotlight Focusing on the men in the middle Mike Riley Hong Kong Reds Around the World Our members in glorious technicolour Kiki Hon |
