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Former Wanderers, Liverpool and England winger Peter Thompson has passed away at the age of 76.
A league championship and FA Cup-winner by the time he signed for Jimmy Armfield’s Bolton, initially on loan in December 1973, he went on to make 132 appearances for the club and score two goals.
Thompson had started his career with Preston and won 16 caps for his country after signing for Bill Shankly at Anfield but was dropped from the squad in the build-up to the 1966 World Cup because of Sir Alf Ramsey’s plan to play without wide men.
Shankly once said of Thompson: "He could run forever, but more importantly in football he could run with the ball - probably the hardest thing to do.
"He could run every minute of every game, every week, every year better than anybody else.
"His work-rate was outstanding, his fitness unequalled, his balance like a ballet dancer. I have no hesitation in placing Peter up among the all-time greats - alongside such players as Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and George Best."
He played 323 league games in all for the Reds and had been considering retirement when he was convinced to come to Burnden Park, making his debut in a 1-0 victory against Sunderland.
His superb form helped secure a permanent contract and Thompson’s signing proved to be an astute one, as he was a driving force for Ian Greaves as the club secured promotion to Division One at the back end of the 1970s.
Thompson also had a testimonial in April 1978 against a combined Liverpool and Everton team which attracted more than 20,000 fans.
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A league championship and FA Cup-winner by the time he signed for Jimmy Armfield’s Bolton, initially on loan in December 1973, he went on to make 132 appearances for the club and score two goals.
Thompson had started his career with Preston and won 16 caps for his country after signing for Bill Shankly at Anfield but was dropped from the squad in the build-up to the 1966 World Cup because of Sir Alf Ramsey’s plan to play without wide men.
Shankly once said of Thompson: "He could run forever, but more importantly in football he could run with the ball - probably the hardest thing to do.
"He could run every minute of every game, every week, every year better than anybody else.
"His work-rate was outstanding, his fitness unequalled, his balance like a ballet dancer. I have no hesitation in placing Peter up among the all-time greats - alongside such players as Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and George Best."
He played 323 league games in all for the Reds and had been considering retirement when he was convinced to come to Burnden Park, making his debut in a 1-0 victory against Sunderland.
His superb form helped secure a permanent contract and Thompson’s signing proved to be an astute one, as he was a driving force for Ian Greaves as the club secured promotion to Division One at the back end of the 1970s.
Thompson also had a testimonial in April 1978 against a combined Liverpool and Everton team which attracted more than 20,000 fans.
Source
