1917 | Charles Thompson | Sunderland AFC & Hearts | F & J Smith Cigarettes | Football Club Records | PSA 3 Highest Graded Card | Pop 1

Charles Chas Thompson Scotland International, Sunderland AFC captain and legend of the early 1900s.

Card Population: Only 1 PSA graded cards exists globally and this is highest graded example.

Year: 1917

Trade Brand: F & J Smith

Collection:  Football Club Records

Card No: 44

Player / Subject: Charles ( Chas ) Thompson 

Certificate of authenticity: PSA graded and authenticated.

For soccer / football cards 

Club featured on card: SUNDERLAND AFC

Player position: CENTRE HALF 

Player record:

Other notable history: 

Heart of Midlothian

• Scottish Cup: 1901, 1906

Sunderland

• Football League First Division: 1912–13
• FA Cup: runner-up 1913

Thomson captained Hearts to a 1–0 victory over Third Lanark in the 1906 Scottish Cup Final,^[6] but injury prevented him from leading the side in the 1907 final that was lost to Celtic. There was some behind the scenes unrest at Tynecastle during the close-season however which resulted in him relinquishing the captaincy. His total of appearances in the league and Scottish Cup was 218, with 48 goals scored.

Thomson moved to Sunderland in 1908 in a joint transfer with goalkeeper Thomas Allanfor £700. At the time a transfer fee limit of £350 existed in the Football League and it has been speculated that the joint fee was a means to circumvent these restrictions, with more than 50% of the fee being liable for Thomson's signature.^[3][4] These suggestions are supported by two facts: firstly, Thomson was at that point Scotland captain while Allan was not recognised internationally; secondly Allan returned to Hearts two seasons later for a fee much less than £350.

Thomson's time with Sunderland was no less successful than his time with Hearts. Quickly appointed club captain, he led the team through a remarkably consistent period: during his time with the club they finished no lower than eighth in the First Division. He made over 264 major appearances for Sunderland (seven goals) and helped them to the 1912–13 League title. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on a double that season when beaten 1–0 by Aston Villa in the 1913 FA Cup Final, with Thomson and the Villa centre-forward Harry Hampton both later suspended for a month for their conduct in what was a bruising occasion.

Condition: PSA grade 3 very good.

Copyright: the photo is owned by Belta Cards unless Image licensing is available.