Billy Thomson Player Profile

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Player Details



Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1990-91 10 0 0 0 60.0% 20.0% 20.0%
1989-90 11 0 0 0 36.4% 27.3% 36.4%
1988-89 49 0 0 0 44.9% 32.7% 22.4%
1987-88 50 0 0 0 40.0% 32.0% 28.0%
1986-87 61 0 1 0 57.4% 24.6% 18.0%
1985-86 38 0 1 0 52.6% 31.6% 15.8%
1984-85 15 0 0 0 46.7% 20.0% 33.3%
Totals: 234 (0) 0


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 Cln = Clean Sheets | CtGR = Clean Sheets to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals

 Recent First Team Starts
 03/10/90 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. FH (H) 2 - 2
 29/09/90 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A) 0 - 1
 25/09/90 Semi Final vs. Celtic (N) 0 - 2
 22/09/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H) 2 - 1
 18/09/90 1st Round 1st Leg vs. FH (A) 3 - 1

 Recent First Team Goals
 None

 List of Goals Scored
None

 List of Games Played (click to expand)
 03/10/90 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. FH (H)  2 - 2
 29/09/90 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 1
 25/09/90 Semi Final vs. Celtic (N)  0 - 2
 22/09/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 18/09/90 1st Round 1st Leg vs. FH (A)  3 - 1
 15/09/90 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 08/09/90 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 0
 04/09/90 Quarter Final vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 0
 01/09/90 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 0
 28/08/90 3rd Round vs. Partick Th (A)  3 - 1
 17/10/89 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Antwerp (A)  0 - 4
 14/10/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 2
 04/10/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 0
 30/09/89 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  0 - 0
 27/09/89 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Glentoran (H)  2 - 0
 23/09/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 16/09/89 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 2
 13/09/89 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Glentoran (A)  3 - 1
 09/09/89 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 2
 26/08/89 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 1
 23/08/89 3rd Round vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 2
 13/05/89 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  0 - 1
 06/05/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 0
 02/05/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 2
 29/04/89 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 1
 22/04/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 08/04/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  2 - 1
 01/04/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 1
 27/03/89 Quarter Final Replay vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 25/03/89 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 21/03/89 Quarter Final vs. Rangers (A)  2 - 2
 14/03/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 1
 11/03/89 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 4
 27/02/89 4th Round 2nd Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 0
 22/02/89 4th Round Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 18/02/89 4th Round vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 11/02/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 28/01/89 3rd Round vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 1
 21/01/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 14/01/89 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  5 - 0
 07/01/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 0
 03/01/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 31/12/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 17/12/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 10/12/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  4 - 1
 03/12/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 0
 26/11/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  1 - 0
 19/11/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 0
 12/11/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 09/11/88 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Din. Bucharest (A)  1 - 1
 05/11/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  2 - 0
 29/10/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 26/10/88 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Din. Bucharest (H)  0 - 1
 22/10/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  0 - 1
 12/10/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 08/10/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  4 - 0
 05/10/88 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Floriana (H)  1 - 0
 01/10/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 27/09/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 24/09/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 1
 20/09/88 Semi Final vs. Aberdeen (N)  0 - 2
 17/09/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 1
 06/09/88 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Floriana (A)  0 - 0
 03/09/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 31/08/88 Quarter Final vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 27/08/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 2
 24/08/88 3rd Round vs. St Mirren (A)  3 - 1
 20/08/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 0
 16/08/88 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (A)  2 - 0
 13/08/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 14/05/88 Final vs. Celtic (N)  1 - 2
 07/05/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 04/05/88 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  2 - 1
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 23/04/88 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 2
 20/04/88 Semi Final 2nd Replay vs. Aberdeen (N)  1 - 0
 13/04/88 Semi Final Replay vs. Aberdeen (N)  1 - 1
 09/04/88 Semi Final vs. Aberdeen (N)  0 - 0
 28/03/88 Quarter Final 2nd Replay vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 26/03/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 0
 20/02/88 4th Round vs. Airdrie (A)  2 - 0
 03/02/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 30/01/88 3rd Round vs. Arbroath (A)  7 - 0
 16/01/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 09/01/88 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  0 - 0
 02/01/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 0
 26/12/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 2
 19/12/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 16/12/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 2
 12/12/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 1
 05/12/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 1
 28/11/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  1 - 3
 24/11/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  1 - 4
 21/11/87 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  1 - 0
 18/11/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 3
 14/11/87 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  1 - 0
 07/11/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 2
 04/11/87 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Vitkovice (A)  1 - 1
 31/10/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 3
 28/10/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 0
 24/10/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  2 - 1
 21/10/87 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Vitkovice (H)  1 - 2
 17/10/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 0
 10/10/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 0
 06/10/87 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  0 - 0
 03/10/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 1
 30/09/87 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Coleraine (H)  3 - 1
 26/09/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  3 - 0
 19/09/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  0 - 2
 17/09/87 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Coleraine (A)  1 - 0
 12/09/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 2
 05/09/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 0
 02/09/87 Quarter Final vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 2
 29/08/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 25/08/87 3rd Round vs. Raith Rovers (A)  2 - 1
 22/08/87 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 4
 19/08/87 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (H)  4 - 1
 15/08/87 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  3 - 1
 12/08/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 08/08/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 1
 20/05/87 Final 2nd Leg vs. IFK (H)  1 - 1
 16/05/87 Final vs. St Mirren (N)  0 - 1
 06/05/87 Final 1st Leg vs. IFK (A)  0 - 1
 28/04/87 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  2 - 1
 25/04/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  2 - 1
 22/04/87 Semi Final 2nd Leg vs. M'gladbach (A)  2 - 0
 18/04/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 14/04/87 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  0 - 0
 11/04/87 Semi Final vs. Dundee (N)  3 - 2
 08/04/87 Semi Final 1st Leg vs. M'gladbach (H)  0 - 0
 21/03/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 18/03/87 Quarter Final 2nd Leg vs. Barcelona (A)  2 - 1
 14/03/87 Quarter Final vs. Forfar Athletic (H)  2 - 2
 10/03/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 1
 07/03/87 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (H)  1 - 1
 04/03/87 Quarter Final 1st Leg vs. Barcelona (H)  1 - 0
 28/02/87 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 0
 21/02/87 4th Round vs. Brechin City (A)  1 - 0
 14/02/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 0
 09/02/87 3rd Round Replay vs. Airdrie (A)  2 - 1
 07/02/87 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  2 - 1
 31/01/87 3rd Round vs. Airdrie (H)  1 - 1
 24/01/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 0
 10/01/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  3 - 2
 06/01/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 0
 27/12/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 2
 20/12/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 1
 13/12/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A)  2 - 1
 10/12/86 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Hajduk Split (A)  0 - 0
 06/12/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 0
 03/12/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 29/11/86 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  1 - 2
 26/11/86 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Hajduk Split (H)  2 - 0
 22/11/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 19/11/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  3 - 0
 15/11/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 08/11/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  0 - 3
 05/11/86 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Univ Craiova (A)  0 - 1
 01/11/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 29/10/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 0
 25/10/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 2
 22/10/86 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Univ Craiova (H)  3 - 0
 18/10/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (H)  2 - 0
 11/10/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 2
 08/10/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 0
 04/10/86 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  2 - 0
 01/10/86 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Lens (H)  2 - 0
 27/09/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 1
 24/09/86 Semi Final vs. Rangers (N)  1 - 2
 20/09/86 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  5 - 1
 17/09/86 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Lens (A)  0 - 1
 13/09/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 2
 06/09/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 03/09/86 Quarter Final vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 0
 30/08/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  3 - 0
 27/08/86 3rd Round vs. Ayr Utd (A)  3 - 0
 23/08/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 0
 20/08/86 2nd Round vs. QOS (A)  1 - 0
 16/08/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  3 - 2
 13/08/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A)  0 - 0
 09/08/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 1
 03/05/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 1
 26/04/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 2
 19/04/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A)  1 - 1
 16/04/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 0
 12/04/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 3
 08/04/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  5 - 0
 05/04/86 Semi Final vs. Hearts (N)  0 - 1
 29/03/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 0
 22/03/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 0
 15/03/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 11/03/86 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  0 - 2
 08/03/86 Quarter Final vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 0
 26/02/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 0
 22/02/86 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 19/02/86 4th Round Replay vs. Kilmarnock (A)  1 - 0
 15/02/86 4th Round vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1
 08/02/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  4 - 0
 01/02/86 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 1
 25/01/86 3rd Round vs. Morton (H)  4 - 0
 18/01/86 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (H)  4 - 0
 11/01/86 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 04/01/86 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  4 - 2
 28/12/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  0 - 0
 23/12/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 0
 21/12/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 1
 14/12/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 1
 11/12/85 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Neuchatel Xamax (A)  1 - 3
 27/11/85 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Neuchatel Xamax (H)  2 - 1
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A)  2 - 1
 16/11/85 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 09/11/85 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 0
 06/11/85 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Vardar (A)  1 - 1
 02/11/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 1
 26/10/85 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  3 - 0
 23/10/85 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Vardar (H)  2 - 0
 19/10/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 3
 12/10/85 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 02/10/85 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Bohemians (H)  2 - 2
 20/04/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 1
 06/04/85 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  5 - 0
 30/03/85 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 4
 08/12/84 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (A)  2 - 2
 22/09/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 1
 19/09/84 1st Round 1st Leg vs. AIK (A)  0 - 1
 15/09/84 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  3 - 0
 08/09/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  3 - 4
 05/09/84 4th Round vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 1
 01/09/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  0 - 1
 29/08/84 3rd Round vs. Dumbarton (A)  4 - 0
 25/08/84 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 2
 21/08/84 2nd Round vs. Forfar Athletic (H)  5 - 0
 18/08/84 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 11/08/84 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 0


Biography

Billy began his senior career with Partick Thistle in 1975 but found it difficult to displace their international goalkeeper Alan Rough, only playing four competitive matches – two against Dundee United in the League Cup – in his three years at Firhill. Capped at Under-21 level, he signed for St Mirren for £50,000 in August 1978, and was first choice keeper during his six seasons with the Buddies. He made his full Scotland debut against Northern Ireland in May 1980, winning the first of his seven international caps whilst at Love Street.

After a fall out with St Mirren during the 1983-84 season, he signed for United in June 1984 for a fee of around £75,000. His first appearance was against Viktoria Aschaffenburg a few weeks later and his debut in major competition followed in August against Hearts. After a brief run in the team, his first season was spent mainly as understudy to an in-form Hamish McAlpine, who at 36 went on to pick up the Scottish Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award.

In 1985-86, he became firmly established as the first choice keeper and held the No. 1 Jersey for the next four seasons. His best term with United was 1986-87, when he starred in United’s run to the UEFA Cup final, where he played on after an horrific injury to his left ear in the 1st leg in Gothenburg. He also helped United reach the Scottish Cup final that season, but unfortunately collected a runners-up medal in both competitions. He was also on the losing side for United in the 1988 Scottish Cup final, after a late comeback from Celtic.

Out of contract in May 1989, there was speculation that Billy was leaving United to join Hearts, followed by interest from several clubs in France, Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers. All speculation seemed to end when he re-signed for United, but in October 1989 he lost his first team slot to Alan Main and handed in a transfer request. Rumours persisted, and he was linked with Dunfermline Athletic in February 1990 and went on loan to Clydebank a month later. He regained a first team place again briefly in the early part of 1990-91 but his time at United was almost over. After talk of a move to Hibs, he left to join Motherwell in July 1991 for around £55,000. Billy was with the Lanarkshire club for two years and then moved to Rangers as player/coach. He later went to Dundee in the same capacity, before joining Kilmarnock as goalkeeping coach in 2007.

In January 2012, he was inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame.

Last updated on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 by B Orr.





Debut

August 11th, 1984
Dundee United 2 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

League (Premier Division)


International Career (Scotland)

Caps: 7

Goals: 0

International Debut: April 27th, 1977 v. England


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Billy was born on this date in Linwood.

    Monday, February 10th, 1958

  • International Debut


    Billy earned his first International cap for Scotland, playing against England.

    Wednesday, April 27th, 1977

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Thursday, June 28th, 1984

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    Aschaffenburg 4 - 0 Dundee United
    Friendly

    The tour got off to a disappointing start when we went down 4-0 to Viktoria Aschaffenburg. The demanding physical training of the previous week took its toll of the players who were clearly suffering

    Sunday, July 22nd, 1984

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 2 - 0 Hearts
    League (Premier Division)

    On one of the hottest opening days to the season for many a long day. United repeated their mid-week victory over Nottingham Forest, even down to Ralph Milne scoring both goals. The first thre

    Saturday, August 11th, 1984

  • 50th Appearance

    Aberdeen 0 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    On a cruel night weather-wise, United continued their good record at Pittodrie and at the same time maintained their title hopes. Stuart Beedie instigated the first chance of the game when his angled

    Wednesday, April 16th, 1986

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 0 Motherwell
    League (Premier Division)

    Two own goals helped United to their biggest home win of the season so far. In the first half Iain Ferguson opened the scoring in the 24th minute, closely follow

    Wednesday, October 8th, 1986

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 1 Clydebank
    League (Premier Division)

    In conditions which starkly contrasted with the U.E.F.A. tie with Barcelona - bitterly cold and little atmosphere - we dropped our first ever League point to Clydebank at Tannadice. The visitor's rece

    Saturday, March 7th, 1987

  • 100th League Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 3 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    We failed to narrow the gap between ourselves and Dundee as they opened up a five point gap over us in the chase for a U.E.F.A. Cup spot. Dundee got off to the perfect start with a goal in two minutes

    Saturday, November 28th, 1987

  • 200th Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 1 Aberdeen
    Scottish Cup (4th Round Replay)

    Normally New Firm encounters are a bit like chess matches, studious and thoughtful moves planned well in advance. Well this one didn't follow that familiar pattern as both sides fought out a good old

    Wednesday, February 22nd, 1989

  • Last Appearance

    Dundee United 2 - 2 FH
    UEFA Cup (1st Round 2nd Leg)

    The lcelandic side came to Tannadice trailling by two goals and written off by almost everyone. By half-time they had wiped out the deficit and could easily have taken the lead after a first half whic

    Wednesday, October 3rd, 1990

  • Left the Club

    Wednesday, July 10th, 1991