Billy Thomson Player Profile

  1. Home
  2. Players
  3. Billy Thomson (b. 1958)

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 2nd 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.





Debut

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

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

  • Signed For Dundee United

    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.

    Thursday, June 28th, 1984

  • Debut - Dundee United 2 - 0 Hearts

    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.

    Saturday, August 11th, 1984

  • Last Appearance - Dundee United 2 - 2 FH

    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 which from a United viewpoint was best forgotten. Whilst we charged forward trying to score the goal that would kill the game, we left space at the back which combined with FH's shoot-onsight policy saw them bounce back into the game. Both Gislason and Marteinsson had sent in powerful shots which went wide of the target before Hordcur Magnusson their top scorer, was more successful. He sent in a raging shot from the edge of the box which Billy Thomson parried. However, the ball rose high into the air and came down to bounce into the back of the net. There was an even bigger shock for us nine minutes later. Kristján Gislason collected the ball on the edge of the box before hammering in a fierce angular drive into the top left hand corner of the far post. Even greater disaster may have befallen us had it not been for Marteinsson's poor finish in front of goal after Magnusson had played the ball into his path. Our best effort of that opening half came in the 34th minute when a Billy McKinlay corner fell to Michael O'Neill, but his shot was cleared off the line. Before half-time FH's policy of long range shooting saw Billy Thomson saving from Magnusson and a fiercely dipping shot from Vikingsson raging inches over the bar.

    Wednesday, October 3rd, 1990