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Dundee Utd "devastated" by Thompson's death

15/10/2008

Much-loved Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson has lost his long-running battle with prostate cancer and has died at the age of 67.

Thompson, who has been chairman of the club since buying out former chairman Jim McLean in September 2002, instigated and oversaw a dramatic upturn in the financial fortunes of the side in his six years at the helm.

The club suffered record losses of £2.7 million in June 2003, however through Thompson's business acumen and stringent strategy it was operating a profit by June of this year.

"Everyone at Dundee United is devastated by the loss of someone who was not only our chairman, but also a very close and inspirational friend," said an emotional statement from the club this morning.

Thompson was seen as something of a champion of the smaller clubs on the Premier League board and was well-known for his willingness to invest his own capital in the Tangerines to make up the shortfall in the club's income.

He was a popular figure in Scottish football - particularly among his club's own fans - as shown by the naming of a Tannadice stand in his honour.

Dundee United fans also organised the wearing of T-shirts bearing the slogan "One Eddie Thompson" at the 2008 CIS Cup final to show solidarity with the man after he became too ill with cancer to continue attending matches.

The Scottish Football Association's chief executive Gordon Smith said: “Everyone at the Scottish FA is extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson and our thoughts are with his family, his friends and everyone at the club at this terribly sad time.

"Eddie was a man who loved the game and was passionate about bringing success to the club he loved.

"You need only look at the way the fans reacted at the CIS Cup final earlier this year to see how much Dundee United meant to Eddie and how much Eddie meant to the club.

"He will be sorely missed."

Dundee United manager Craig Levein led the tributes from within the club, saying: "We have lost someone I'd call a decent guy and as close as we've become he is someone I wish I could have known a lot longer.

"As a chairman he could not have backed me any more than he did, but it is as a good man that I think of him.

"Over the next few days a lot will be said about him and what he achieved, but I really will remember him as a decent guy."

He added: "We knew how ill the chairman was and we have been expecting this. That means in some ways you can steel yourself for it, but when it happens it is still terrible news.

"We are all very upset and right now there is not much I can say."

United's communications director Derek Robertson described Thompson as "amazing".

"He had a determination and drive both in business and at Dundee United, that was an inspiration," Robertson said.

"Even in recent months when his illness was a lot worse than I suspect many people realised, he still insisted on coming into Tannadice on a regular basis and working for the club.

"And right up until our win at Hearts he was also determined to do the thing he loved most - watching his team.

"It's particularly sad for me that this has happened at a time when at long last he knew he had a manager who was in the process of realising his ambitions for his club.

"From speaking to him I know that was his big frustration about his illness, because he was so convinced of the team's future success."

As a result of the chairman's death, Dundee United's Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Tannadice on Saturday has been postponed.

Thompson is survived by his wife Cath, children Justine and Stephen and four grandchildren.