Andy Thompson (footballer, born 1967)

Andrew Richard Thompson[1] (born 9 November 1967 in Featherstone, Staffordshire) is an English former footballer, most associated with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Andy Thompson
Personal information
Full name Andrew Richard Thompson
Date of birth (1967-11-09) 9 November 1967
Place of birth Featherstone, Staffordshire
Height 5' 5" (1.67m)
Playing position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1986 West Bromwich Albion 24 (1)
1986–1997 Wolverhampton Wanderers 376 (43)
1997–2000 Tranmere Rovers 95 (4)
2000–2002 Cardiff City 7 (0)
2002 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 14 (0)
2002–2003 Shrewsbury Town 16 (0)
2003 Hednesford Town 1 (0)
Total 533 (48)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He was inducted into the Wolverhampton Wanderers Hall of Fame in 2017.[2]

Career

Thompson began his career as a midfielder with West Bromwich Albion, where he made his debut in the Full Members Cup in November 1985. He scored in the penalty shoot-out, although Albion lost to Chelsea, who went on to win the competition.[1]

Thompson moved to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers with Steve Bull in November 1986 for a combined fee of £60,000 and made the transition to full-back. 'Thommo' became a fans favourite at Molineux, known for his speed and penalty taking. He was an integral part of the team that won back-to-back promotions to the (old) Second Division in the late 1980s (also lifting the Associate Members' Cup). He remained a vital player in the team as they twice failed in the play-offs, as they tried to break into the Premier League during the 1990s. He eventually left the club in 1997 to join Tranmere Rovers, after making a total of 451 appearances for the Midlanders.

He played three seasons in the second flight at Prenton Park, helping the club to the League Cup final in 2000 (although he was an unused substitute at Wembley) before being released in May 2000,[3] and subsequently joining Cardiff City on a free transfer. His time in Wales was injury-ravaged, as he tore his stomach muscles in only his second game, and damaged his ankle ligaments in his comeback game.

These setbacks and the arrival of Alan Cork as manager, saw Thompson being loaned out to League Two Shrewsbury Town in January 2002. He made the move permanent in the close season, but his only full season with the club saw them lose their league state for the first time, during another injury plagued season for the defender. After being released, he moved to non-league Hednesford Town but managed only one appearance before injury forced him to retire in 2003.

Since retiring from playing, he has completed a sports science degree at Wolverhampton University and gained a UEFA B coaching licence. He now works as a PE Teacher at Chellaston Academy in Derby and is often co-commentator for Wolves matches on the official Wolverhampton Wanderers website and app alongside Mikey Burrows.

Statistics
Club Performance
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Shrewsbury Town 2002–2003 300101000320
Cardiff City 2000–2002 70100030110
Tranmere Rovers 1997–2000 95460140001150
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1986–1997 3764320122033145145
West Bromwich Albion 1985–1986 241201020291
Total 532 48 30 1 38 0 38 1 638 50
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References
  1. Matthews, Tony (2005). The Who's Who of West Bromwich Albion. Breedon Books. p. 230. ISBN 1-85983-474-4.
  2. Spiers, Tim (29 June 2017). "Report: Wolves welcome new Hall of Fame inductees". Express & Star. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  3. "Duo Released". TranmereRovers.co.uk. Tranmere Rovers Football Club. 8 May 2000. Archived from the original on 9 March 2001. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
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