Former Celtic midfielder and first team coach, Alan Thompson, is set to release a book on 1 December 2021. The Englishman began his football career at boyhood club Newcastle United and went on to enjoy a successful few years with Bolton Wanderers. Having attracted the attention of a certain Martin O’Neill, Tommo shunned a move to Leicester in favour of signing for Aston Villa for £4.5m, but it wasn’t long before O’Neill got his man as the pair ended up at Celtic together.
Justifying the gaffer’s persistence, Thompson thrived in Paradise, playing his part in countless trophy successes. Having won domestic honours with the Hoops, and scored several goals against Rangers, Alan’s eyes were soon focused on making a mark in Europe. He was an integral part of the Celtic team which famously reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2003, scoring against Suduva, Stuttgart and Liverpool along the way; whilst he also helped the Bhoys to reach the Quarter Final stage of the same competition a year later with a spectacular winning goal against Barcelona.
Thompson became the first Celtic player to receive an England call up whilst playing for the club, achieving a lifelong ambition in doing so. An outstanding talent, he eventually left for pastures new when Leeds United came calling in 2007. Earning the role of club captain at Elland Road, Tommo continued to thrive in the latter stages of his career, before winding down his playing days at Hartlepool United.
With time called on a magnificent 17 year playing career, Tommo soon got involved in the coaching side of the game. Just as he did as a player, he began life as a coach at St James’ Park. After cutting his teeth with the reserves at Newcastle, Thompson returned to Paradise where he worked as a first team coach and helped to deliver the first of Celtic’s most recent nine-in-a-row run of league titles.
I had the chance to catch up with Alan, who continues to follow Celtic’s fortunes closely, and ask him about his life, football career and the forthcoming release of his new biography – A Geordie Bhoy.
After offering Alan my sincere thanks for agreeing to talk to me on The Celtic History Podcast, here’s what the former England international had to say:
Spotify:
Apple Podcasts:
Anchor FM:
You can Pre-Order copies of A Geordie Bhoy: Alan Thompson right NOW, by visiting warcrypress.co.uk
The book will be fully released on 1 December 2021, and will then be available from the same website, as well as Amazon and other retailers – full details will be posted on Twitter: @Alantommo8 @jamieboyle10
