Garry Thompson (footballer born 1959)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Garry Thompson


fullname = Garry Lindsey Thompson
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1959|10|7
cityofbirth = Birmingham
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height = 6 ft 1 in
nickname =
position = Striker
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1977–1983
1983–1985
1985–1986
1986–1988
1988–1990
1990–1991
1991–1993
1993–1995
1995–1997
clubs = Coventry City
West Bromwich Albion
Sheffield Wednesday
Aston Villa
Watford
Crystal Palace
Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff City
Northampton Town
caps(goals) = 134 (38)
091 (39)
036 0(7)
060 (17)
034 0(8)
020 0(3)
019 0(1)
043 0(5)
050 0(6)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
manageryears = 2001
2001–2002
2004
managerclubs = Bristol Rovers "(caretaker)"
Bristol Rovers
Brentford "(caretaker)"

Garry Thompson (born 7 October 1959 in Birmingham, England) is a former professional footballer and football manager, who played as a striker. He began his 20 year-long career at Coventry City as a trainee and earned his first professional contract at that club. A fast and exciting player, he was a fans favourite and was part of the Sky Blues team which reached the 1981 League Cup semi-final. He was also a prominent member of the Aston Villa team that gained promotion to the old first division in the 1987-88 season. Besides Coventry, Thompson went on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Watford, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City and Northampton Town, making a total of 487 league appearances and scoring 124 league goals. Thompson played his final professional game for Northampton in 1997.

Although he spent several seasons as an inventive and influential player at top-flight clubs, he was never selected for the England international squad, though his name was regularly mentioned prior to call-ups. His non-selection is thought to be because he never played for any of the more illustrious top-flight English clubs rather than a lack of international-class ability.

After retiring as a player, he became a coach and in 2001 he took over as caretaker manager of Bristol Rovers following the sacking of Ian Holloway. He remained in charge for 23 games, until the appointment of Gerry Francis. When Francis resigned five months later, Thompson was given the Bristol Rovers job on a permanent basis, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/1732100.stm Thompson gets Rovers job] ] although he lasted only four months before being dismissed. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/1920008.stm Ailing Rovers sack Thompson] ] In 2004 he was caretaker manager of Brentford for one game between Wally Downes and Martin Allen.

He joined Conference North side Hucknall Town in February 2006 as assistant to then manager Kevin Wilson, combining his position with a full-time role in promotions. With Hucknall struggling financially, Thompson was released from his contract in December 2006. [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=39099 Thompson becomes latest victim of Hucknall Cuts] ] The Hucknall chairman has denied the reason was financial. [ [http://www.hucknalltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=744&ArticleID=1939265 Thompson sacking not for financial reasons] ]

External links

*soccerbase (manager)|id=1640|name=Garry Thompson

References