Billy Thomson (1994 to 1996)

William Marshall Thomson achieved a lifelong ambition when, in 1994, he joined the Club as back up to Andy Goram and Ally Maxwell. Already 36 years old, Billy had amassed a wealth of experience playing in Scotland’s top flight in addition to having represented his country on 7 occasions.

Thomson's senior playing career began in Glasgow at Partick Thistle but opportunities were few and far between, the 'No.1' jersey at Firhill being occupied by the current Scotland goalkeeper, Alan Rough. Seeking regular first team football, Billy moved to St. Mirren in 1978 and the Love Street side had no shortage of talent with a good blend of youth and experience to call upon. Players such as Dougie Bell, Peter Weir, Billy Stark and Frank McDougall would all go on to win major trophies with Aberdeen whilst Billy would eventually join their ‘New Firm’ rivals, Dundee United.

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), qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Billy's performances between the sticks would attract genuine interest from Gers Manager John Greig but, frustratingly, the move never materialised.

Having made his full Scotland International debut versus Northern Ireland in 1980, Billy would ultimately find himself consigned to understudy with Aberdeen's Jim Leighton becoming the established first choice. Proudly representing his country on 7 occasions, Billy dropped further down the pecking order following the emergence of Andy Goram.

An extra time goal by Ian Ferguson meant heartache for Thomson as his former side, St. Mirren, denied United a first ever Scottish Cup success. There was further disappointment weeks later when United fell just short in the 1987 UEFA Cup Final. IFK Gothenburg securing the trophy over two legs. It had been a magnificent effort from Jim McLean's side, overcoming Borussia Monchengladbach (third round conquerors of Rangers) and Barcelona on route to the Final. Another Scottish Cup Final defeat followed just 12 months later as United's apparent Hampden 'curse' 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, Billy would make the same move along Edmiston Drive to finally sign for his boyhood heroes. With Andy Goram's Rangers future less than secure as a result of ongoing injury and off field problems, there was every chance Thomson would be called upon despite his advancing years.

That moment duly arrived when, on 1st April 1995, Billy returned to Tannadice and kept a clean sheet as Rangers won 2-0. Thomson would continue to feature over the next few weeks as the Title was secured although his final appearance of that 1994/95 campaign was one to forget, red carded at Hampden in a league defeat to Celtic.

Sn injury to Goram during the Champions League group match with Juventus saw Billy thrown back in at the deep end and he could do little but admire a tremendous Italian side who would go on to lift the famous European Cup six months later. Billy's seventh and final Gers appearance came just days later, Aberdeen securing a point during a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

After hanging up his gloves, Thomson became a specialist goalkeeping coach and returned to the Club serving under Alex McLeish (and others), working closely with the likes of Stefan Klos and and a young Alan McGregor.

The often ruthless nature of football saw Billy permanently leave the Club in 2007 in what appeared a rather sudden manner. The return of Walter Smith as manager for a second spell resulted in a restructuring of the backroom staff and Smith's trusted lieutenant, Jim Stewart, found himself back at Ibrox at Thomson's expense. Billy would make the opposite journey to Rugby Park where he provided excellent service to Kilmarnock for more than a decade. However, it was abundantly clear that the abrupt nature of his departure from Rangers had soured his relationship with the Club.

Billy Thomson died in February 2023, just days from what would have been his 65th birthday.

by Rick Plews