slfjambo Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 CHAIRMAN LOSES BATTLE 15 October 2008It is with great sadness that Dundee United announce the death of Chairman Eddie Thompson, who died today after a long illness borne with great fortitude, much bravery and a dogged determination to carry out his responsibilities at Tannadice for as long as possible. Mr Thompson had been fighting prostate cancer for several years, but despite specialist treatment from the management and staff of the oncology department at Ninewells Hospital, the cancer could not be prevented from spreading. Over the last year, the aggressive nature of his illness required further and debilitating treatments. Despite this, Mr Thompson continued to undertake his duties at Tannadice, continuing to provide personal and financial support to the Club. In recent months, when it became clear that his health was failing, Mr Thompson re-structured the finances, share ownership and the Board of Dundee United to ensure that the long term future of the Club remained secure with his son Stephen taking on day to day responsibilities as Chief Executive. Although hospitalised for much of the time in recent weeks, the Chairman was determined to see his beloved Dundee United and, despite his worsening condition, insisted on supporting the team in person as much as possible, both home and away. 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. Eddie Thompson was born in Glasgow in 1940 and trained as an accountant before moving to Dundee in 1964 to join Watson & Philip plc. He was appointed to the Watson & Philip Board in 1976, becoming joint managing director. In 1991, he left Watson & Philip Ltd to form Morning Noon & Night Ltd, an innovative convenience store chain. MN&N was one of the first retail outlets to install Bank ATMs, now a common sight in the retail trade. In August 2004, MN&N was sold to Scotmid in one of the largest Scottish retail deals for some years. At the time of sale MN&N was generating yearly sales of ?53m with operating profits of ?1.8m from 50 outlets and employed some 800 people throughout Scotland. Eddie was appointed as the first Chairman of the Scottish Retail Consortium in April 1999, and served on the British Retail Consortium's Board of Management. He was President of the Scottish Grocers' Federation and sat on the CBI Council for Scotland. He was awarded the Scottish Grocery Lifetime Achievement award in 2003, and received an OBE in December 2005. Despite these business achievements, Eddie Thompson will always be best known for his love of Dundee United. He first started supporting the Club on moving to Dundee and his time at Watson & Philip resulted in the VG shirt sponsorship in the late 1980s. He was always keen to provide the Club with the benefit of his business knowledge and contacts and was a founder member of the Dundee United Business Club. In September 2002, Mr Thompson acquired a shareholding in Dundee United by purchasing the shares of former Chairman Jim McLean. By the end of that month he had acquired a majority shareholding and became owner and Chairman of Dundee United FC. True to his word, one of the first initiatives approved by Mr Thompson was the issue of new shares to supporters who wished to make individual purchases. He also assisted the establishment of ArabTRUST, the Dundee United Supporters Trust, for collective share ownership by fans. Outwith the Thompson family, ArabTRUST is now the second largest shareholder in Dundee United. Since then Eddie Thompson has invested millions of pounds of his own money into the Club and has seen losses reduced from record levels of ?2.7m in June 2003, to ?498k in June 2007 and turned into an operating profit by June 2008. Never slow to admit when mistakes had been made, he also personally funded exceptional termination costs when required to do so. His fierce loyalty and financial commitment to Dundee United won him much admiration throughout the Scottish game and he was seen as a "champion" of the smaller clubs on the SPL Board, upon which he served from its inception. Despite his financial and personal commitment to the Club, he always saw himself as a supporter first and foremost and was always first to acknowledge that the fans were the true owners and most important part of the Club. He was quoted as saying, "You can change your wife, your house, your car, but you can never change your team. Chairmen come and go, Boards come and go, but the fans remain. They are the one true constant. I've just been a custodian of the Club." He was genuinely moved when one of the stands at Tannadice was named after him earlier this year, following suggestions made by supporters and also when thousands of United fans wore "One Eddie Thompson" tee shirts at this year's CIS Cup Final. Eddie Thompson is survived by his wife Cath, children Justine and Stephen and four grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by everyone associated with Dundee United and our thoughts are with Cath and his family at this sad time. The family would like to thank all the staff at Ninewells Hospital and in particular the staff of Ward 32 who have been fantastic over many many weeks. This is an extremely difficult time for the Thompson family with the recent tragic death of Mr. Thompson's son-in-law, Ken Mitchell and the family have requested that they are left to grieve in private. Anyone who wishes details of funeral arrangements should contact Dundee United Football Club on 01382 833166. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sando_Jambo Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Thoughts go to his family at this terrible time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deek Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 What a sad loss for the Tangerines and his family. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goonieref Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I feel so sorry for his daughter losing her husband and father within a couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7628mm Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 A sad day for football as he was first and foremost a fan. RIP Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo Hoggie Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P Eddie. A very sad time for the Thomson family. My Thoughts go out to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian039 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 very sad to here this news after what has hit the family already this week R.I.P EDDIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brellierlegend Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Very sad. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tams bird Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Cant begin to imagine what his daughter must be going through. Losing her husband and dad in the one week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doogle98 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 What a terrible week for his family . Thoughts go out to them RIP Eddie Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighusref Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 A good football man that only wanted the best for his team. Truly saddening news, my best wishes to his family and friends. RIP Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoddyhmfc Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Another true Football gent R.I.P EDDIE, My thoughts go out to your family and all UTD supporters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slashishere Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 What a terrible week for his family . Thoughts go out to them RIP Eddie Thompson My thoughts exactly. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoosh Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Poor run of luck the thompson family has had. 2 deaths within a matter of days. Just wrong. R.I.P Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammyblow Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie. A great person and excellent ambassador for his club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaps Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P Eddie thoughts go out to family and friends at this terriable time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambo121 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP A genuine man who will be missed by all in Scottish Football. Thoughts go out to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalMac Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Extremely sad news. RIP. Best wishes to the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegas-voss Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 very very sad news indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie. Extremely sad news and you can't imagine what his daughter is going through. He was everything that you could want in a chairman and it's a crying shame that Dundee United just missed out on the CIS Cup final last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Kilpatrick Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Sometimes these threads can seem a little trite but in this case it is a terrible shame, particularly in light of the events earlier in the week. RIP Eddie. Condolences to his family circle and to all associated with Dundee United. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Kidd Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie Thomson. A true gentleman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca2 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie Thomson. Sad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richiehmfc Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 What a terribley sad week for that family, my thought go out to them Sad loss for football as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victorian Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 seemed like a decent chap, more club owners like him would not go amiss in scottish football. thoughts with the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobbyshambles Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 really tight for them just now-feel sorry for them all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie992 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshallschunkychicken Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 One of Scottish football's good guys. RIP Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford donald Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP eddie.Seemed a really good guy,great chairman and also a supporter of his beloved dundee utd,if only hearts had been so lucky! My thoughts go to his family and especially his daughter,losing a husband and father in a matter of days she must be truly heartbroken. be strong.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
$ilvery_Moon Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Sad news. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Factor Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Perspective's a word not often used, but perfectly describes this. Will be a sad loss to Scottish Football and life in general. R.I.P. Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bathjambo Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P. Sad loss to football.He sounded a real genuine guy and seemed to realy care for his club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveofthegame Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP. Wish we had a chairman who cared about the club so much. A true fan whose done a great job of getting Utd's finances etc back on track at the expense of personal loss. Thoughts go out to his family at this awful time with the 2 pieces of terrible news in the last few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P Eddie Buffalo Bill . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dipped Flake Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 What a terrible week for his family. Seems to have been a real gent and someone the fans of Dundee Utd. really loved. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Nonsense Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 My thoughts go out to his family who have had a terrible week by anyone's standards. A great businessman and a great football man, who knew how to merge the two together in the proper manner. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midloth_Iain Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P. Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wattie Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Devastating week for the Thompson family. My condolences to all affected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraggle Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Condolences and thoughts are with Eddies family and friends, particuarly his daughter who has suffered more than most. Hope the happy memories help outweight the sadness and pain. RIP Eddie Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanny17 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Agree with all the sentiments in this thread, and can't begin to imagine how his daughteer must feel. RIP Eddie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingantti1874 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Best chairman in Scottish football R.I.P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankenstein Jambo. Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 what a terrible, terrible time for a man who genuinly loved his football club. If only every club had a owner like him. RIP, condolences to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibshater Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P eddie. a sad loss to scottish football, my thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairdin Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 The fact everybody knew this was coming doesn't make it any less tragic or shocking. RIP Eddie - Dundee United and Scottish Football has lost one of the good guys. Condolences to all, especially to his daughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Buaben Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmeladent?rtchen Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Just seen the news on the BBC and striaght away logged in Kickback send my regards ot the family, in what be an awful time. Maybe not the best place. Do you think some one could post this thread on the United chat room? R.I.P,,, one of the good guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoseLikeMahe Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 In this day and age, having a club chairman who is popular enough with the fans that they vote to have a stand named after him says a lot. A good man who will be very much missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Stevens Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4marsbars Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 RIP - terrible things bring a proper perspective; we can all identify with a fan who went on to run the club he loved, and today we think of his family most of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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