Billy joined Rangers from Motherwell in the summer of 1994. In a close season that had witnessed the arrival of Basile Boli and Brian Laudrup, it would be fair to say that securing the services of the 36 year old did not grab too many headlines. However, for the lifelong Rangers fan it was the stuff of dreams even if it was clear he would be joining as back up to both Andy Goram and Ally Maxwell.
Starting his career in Glasgow with Partick Thistle, young Billy was unlikely to make an immediate breakthrough at Firhill given that he was understudy to Scotland’s No.1 of the time, Alan Rough.
By now in search of regular first team football, in 1978 he made the switch to St.Mirren…..a side with a good blend of youth and experience and one that was clearly on the up. In only his second full season in Paisley (1979/80) the ‘Buddies’ would finish 3rd in the Scottish Premier Division (2 places and 5 points clear of Rangers) whilst also qualifying for the UEFA Cup. His performances between the sticks would later attract genuine interest from Rangers manager John Greig but, frustratingly for the player, the transfer never materialised.
Whilst several of his Saints team mates (including Dougie Bell, Billy Stark, Peter Weir and Frank McDougall) would succumb to the advances of former boss Alex Ferguson and go on to enjoy tremendous success at Aberdeen, Billy eventually joined ‘New Firm’ rivals Dundee United in 1984. Initially vying with their legendary keeper, Hamish McAlpine, Billy would make the position his own and would remain a feature under Jim McLean into the early 1990’s.
Having made his full Scotland International versus Northern Ireland in 1980, Billy would ultimately find himself consigned to understudy with Aberdeen’s Jim Leighton becoming first choice. Proudly representing Scotland on 7 occasions, he dropped down the pecking order following the emergence of a certain Andy Goram.
An extra time goal by future Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson meant heartache for Billy as his former side St. Mirren won the 1987 Scottish Cup Final at United’s expense. There was more disappointment in the UEFA Cup Final of the same season as United fell just short in the two legged affair versus IFK Gothenburg. It had been a tremendous effort with victories over Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach (3rd Round conquerors of Rangers) along the way. Another Scottish Cup Final defeat followed 12 months later as United’s Hampden jinx continued.
A move to Motherwell followed in 1991, ironically as a consequence of a contractual dispute between the Lanarkshire Club and Ally Maxwell. Maxwell would join Rangers in 1992 and within two years Thomson would make the same journey along Edmiston Drive to formally sign for his boyhood heroes.
With Andy Goram’s Rangers future less than certain as a result of ongoing injury and off field problems, there was every chance that Thomson would be called upon despite his advancing years.That moment duly arrived when, on 1st April 1995, he returned to Tannadice and kept a clean sheet as Rangers won 2-0. He would feature over the next few weeks as the title was secured although his final appearance of that 1994/95 campaign was one to forget as he was red carded at Hampden in a league defeat to Celtic.
An injury to Andy Goram during the Champions League group match with Juventus at Ibrox saw Billy thrown in at the deep end. He could do little but admire a tremendous Italian side who would go on to win the trophy six months later. Billy’s seventh and final appearance for Rangers came just days later when Aberdeen earned a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
After finally hanging up his gloves, Billy became a specialist goalkeeping coach and returned to the Club serving under Alex McLeish (and others) and working with the likes of Stefan Klos and a young Alan McGregor.
The often ruthless nature of top flight football saw Billy permanently leave the Club in 2007 in what was an abrupt manner. The return of Walter Smith meant a restructuring of backroom staff and Smith’s trusted lieutenant Jim Stewart found himself back at Ibrox assuming responsibility for the keepers at Auchenhowie. Billy would make the opposite journey to Rugby Park where he provided terrific service to Kilmarnock for more than a decade. However, It was clear to all that the sudden nature of Billy’s departure from Rangers had slightly soured his relationship with the Club.
Billy died in February 2023 just days before what would have been his 65th birthday.
