Laurie Thomson’s Memories

Talented 1960’s player who was a real character…

Laurie Thomson 2003

What is your full name and date and place of birth ?
Lawrence James Thomson – 26th August 1936 – Menstrie, Scotland.

What is your marital Status?
Married to Margo.

Do you have children ?
No.

Did / do any of your family play football ?
Brother Bobby played for Partick Thistle at the same time as me. Then he was transferred to Liverpool. He broke his leg and was then transferred to Luton. Then he went to play in Australia.

Where do you live now ?
Toronto, Canada.

What is your occupation now ?
Retired.

What was your occupation during your time with Margate ?
Plumber.

How did you come to join Margate ?
I played against Margate in the Kent Senior Cup Final for Ashford and we beat them 1-0. I think the interest started then.

What do you remember about your Margate debut ?
Not too much.

What were the highlights of your Margate career ?
I had lots of highlights with Margate – I enjoyed playing for them.

What were the highlights of your entire career ?
When I played at Hampden Park for Partick Thistle in front of 80,000 in the League Cup Final, also playing for the Scottish Youth team.

Who was the best player you played with at Margate ?
I would have to say Bob Harrop – he was very consistent.

Who was the best player you played against whilst with Margate ?
Name-wise I would say John Charles who played for Hereford I think.

Who was the best player you played with during your whole career ?
John McKenzie at Partick Thistle.

Who was the best player you played against during your whole career ?
Jim Baxter of Glasgow Rangers.

Who was / were your best friend(s) during your time with Margate ?
Bryan Clifton, Arthur Blackley, David Hills and Tommy Marshall.

Do you still keep in contact with any of your old Margate team-mates ?
I have met Bryan Clifton, Tom Marshall and Ray Flannigan.

What was the best stadium you played in during your entire career ?
Hampden Park and Ibrox Park.

What ground(s) did you most enjoy playing at during your time at Margate ?
I enjoyed playing at Hartsdown Park.

And which ground(s) did you least like ?
Dover.

Who was the best manager you played under (and at which club) ?
David Meiklejohn at Partick Thistle. Almer Hall was ok.

Who was the biggest influence on your football career ?
Father.

What was your favourite / best Margate goal?
The goals I scored against Yeovil when I scored a hat-trick.

What was the best goal you saw another Margate player score ?
Bryan Clifton and John Ballagher scored a few good ones.

Do you keep an eye on Margate’s progress / results and if so what do you think ?
I get the British paper with results in – they seem to be doing ok.

Did you have a nickname during your career / time at Margate?
A guy used to call me ‘mobile dandruff’.

What honours did you win during your career ?
Scottish League Cup runners-up – we played Hearts who were a very good team.

Do you ever watch Margate now or if not, when was the last time you saw them ?
I watched them before I went to Canada in September 1977.

Who were the real characters at Margate during your time with the club ?
I must agree with Arthur Blackley – Chick Hughes.

Can you recall any funny moments from your time at Margate ?
There were a few.

Do you have any regrets about your football career ?
No regrets – would do it all again.

What do you think about being featured on a website or the fact that a Margate History site exists ?!
I think it’s a very good idea.

Laurie with his wife Margo

Added to the site in 2003. Laurie died on 10th March 2006 aged 69.