When Duncan Ogilvie picked up an injury in the 1934/35 season, cover was brought in the shape of the club’s old tormentor Bertie Thomson, who joined from English side, Blackpool for £550. A dashing outside right, whose career promised far more then it ultimately delivered.
He had spent 14 months in England having carved out a name for himself as a Celtic Winger in the early 1930’s. Tragically he played just eight games for Motherwell before retiring in the summer of 1935. Two years later he died aged just 30.
In 1931 Thomson played a central role for Celtic in one of the most dramatic Scottish Cup Finals ever. With Motherwell leading the game 2-1 and looking on course to win the trophy for the first time in their history, disaster would strike near the death as Bertie swung in a late hopeful cross, Motherwell Full back John Johnman shouted “go for it Alan” to which both Keeper Alan McClory and Allan Craig both attempted to gather the cross, it was Centre Half who just beat the ‘Well keeper to the ball but he could only watch in horror as the ball flew into the empty net, a famous Own Goal which would haunt Allan Craig. Celtic would win the replayed tie 4-2.
Ironically Bertie’s Motherwell debut came against Celtic and his only goal for the club came the following week at Fir Park as Partick Thistle were the visitors.
Name:
|
Robert Austin Thomson |
Height:
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Date of Birth:
|
12th July 1907 |
Place of Birth:
|
Johnstone |
Position:
|
Winger |
Nationality:
|
Scottish |
Football Career:
Glasgow Perthshire | 1926 | 1929 |
Celtic | 1929 | 1933 |
Blackpool | 1933 | 1934 |
Motherwell | 1934 | 1936 |
Brideville | 1936 |
Well Career:
Apps | Goals | |
League:
|
8 | 1 |
Scottish Cup:
|
– | – |
League Cup:
|
– | – |
Other:
|
– | – |
Total:
|
8 | 1 |