First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Manager Craig Levein led the tributes to Chairman Eddie Thompson today, when he described the deep loss all at Tannadice were feeling.
The Manager's first thoughts were for the Thompson family, but he went on to speak of his own devastation at the passing of someone whom he quickly came to regard as not just as a Club Chairman, but also a close friend.
"Right now, our thoughts are with Eddie's family. This is a terrible time and the death of his son-in-law at the weekend only makes this more heartbreaking," said Craig.
"The most important thing at this moment is supporting them through a terrible time."
The Manager confirmed that the Club was in discussions with the SPL over Saturday's game at Ibrox and if the match is postponed the decision will have the 100% backing of the Manager and players.
"Eddie was the type who always wanted the game on, but it will be about how the family feel and we will be guided by that.
"That's something for later, though, because this is not a time for thinking about football. 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."
"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."
The Manager's thoughts were echoed by Director Derek Robertson, a close friend of the Thompson family for over a decade.
"Craig is exactly right, more than anything today we have all lost a very good friend and it is a sad, sad day."
He also paid tribute to a man he described as an "inspiration."
"To see him in action was amazing. He had a determination and drive both in business and at Dundee United, that was an inspiration.
"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."
Right now, though, all thoughts among United staff are with the family and their wishes.
"Eddie was a very public figure, but he also had a private side and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather," he added.
"With Ken's tragic death at the weekend this is an awful time for the family and we would ask that the Thompson's be left to grieve in private."
ArabTRUST Tribute
Eddie Thompson was a true gentleman and one of Dundee United's greatest ever fans.
In 2002 he approached a few other likeminded United supporters to explore the possibility of the fans becoming part owners of his beloved Club, and soon thereafter ArabTRUST was established. Whereas other clubs' supporters' trusts have had to battle to get shares, and a director and voice in their club, Eddie fully supported this and actually proposed it to ArabTRUST, such that the trust are now the second largest shareholder in the Club after Eddie's family.
Eddie never once put himself before the Club, and worked tirelessly to see United back to their former glory. Eddie loved nothing better than speaking about the most recent victory and what the future was for the Club.
Everyone who met Eddie could not fail to be touched by his enthusiasm and generosity, and always at his side was his wife Cath, who supported him at Morning, Noon and Night and then at Tannadice.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Cath, Justine, Stephen and family at this time.
Kenn Elder
Chairman, ArabTRUST
Federation Tribute
Today is the saddest day for all Dundee United supporters. We have lost a wonderful father figure whose massive physical, emotional & financial contribution will always be revered amongst us.
Eddie`s passion, commitment, tenaciousness and determination for Dundee United FC and its supporters to enjoy the success we all craved made him a Chairman who was not only hugely admired by all Arabs but by opposition fans also, a feat that shows the respect he commanded not only at our Club but within the whole Scottish game.
The courage, bravery and devotion to our team shown by Eddie during the latter stages of his illness dispels the myth that there are no heroes anymore; Eddie Thompson is a hero to all of us.
We are all heartbroken today; the heartfelt love and sympathy of every Dundee United FC supporter goes out to Cath, Steven, Justine and the family.
Shug Falconer
Chairman, Federation
Dundee United Busines Club Tribute
It is with great sadness that Eddie, a founding member of the Dundee United Business Club, has passed away and our thoughts are very firmly with Cath, Stephen, Justine and their family who have suffered unimaginable heartache over the past few days.
It is both fitting and right that Eddie's name will forever be linked with the fortunes of Dundee United FC with the renaming of the East Stand. The DUBC members were very proud to be amongst the supporters who called for such an accolade.
Eddie was always a supporter first, we have heard this many times, but it was true. He was a genuine guy who held the club as dear to his heart as any of us ordinary supporters, and this was borne out in his Chairmanship of the Open Day which he started so that everyday supporters would have at least one opportunity per year to meet, get autographs and have their pictures taken with their idols.
He always believed, quite rightly, that supporters were the most important part of a club. he was a genuine man who admitted mistakes, fought his corner like a tiger if necessary but always had time for people and he will be sadly missed.
His generosity of spirit will never be forgotten.
Ewen Allardyce
Chairman
Dundee United Business Club
Jim Murphy Tribute - Scottish Secretary of State
"Eddie Thompson will be irreplaceable. I think it was Len Shackleton who included an empty chapter in his autobiography entitled 'What the average director knows about football' but that's not a charge that could ever be levelled at Eddie. He was a lifetime fan, a great Scottish entrepreneur and a fundamentally decent man who genuinely loved his club and who leaves it in a far better position than he found it, not least by encouraging the involvement of a supporters' trust in taking a place on the board. At a time when all Scottish clubs outwith the Old Firm face a constant battle for stability, his will be an enduring legacy and he will be missed both as a chairman and as a man."
For many, many more tributes, please view our free-to-view tribute page to Eddie Thompson on ArabZONE.
The Manager's first thoughts were for the Thompson family, but he went on to speak of his own devastation at the passing of someone whom he quickly came to regard as not just as a Club Chairman, but also a close friend.
"Right now, our thoughts are with Eddie's family. This is a terrible time and the death of his son-in-law at the weekend only makes this more heartbreaking," said Craig.
"The most important thing at this moment is supporting them through a terrible time."
The Manager confirmed that the Club was in discussions with the SPL over Saturday's game at Ibrox and if the match is postponed the decision will have the 100% backing of the Manager and players.
"Eddie was the type who always wanted the game on, but it will be about how the family feel and we will be guided by that.
"That's something for later, though, because this is not a time for thinking about football. 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."
"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."
The Manager's thoughts were echoed by Director Derek Robertson, a close friend of the Thompson family for over a decade.
"Craig is exactly right, more than anything today we have all lost a very good friend and it is a sad, sad day."
He also paid tribute to a man he described as an "inspiration."
"To see him in action was amazing. He had a determination and drive both in business and at Dundee United, that was an inspiration.
"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."
Right now, though, all thoughts among United staff are with the family and their wishes.
"Eddie was a very public figure, but he also had a private side and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather," he added.
"With Ken's tragic death at the weekend this is an awful time for the family and we would ask that the Thompson's be left to grieve in private."
ArabTRUST Tribute
Eddie Thompson was a true gentleman and one of Dundee United's greatest ever fans.
In 2002 he approached a few other likeminded United supporters to explore the possibility of the fans becoming part owners of his beloved Club, and soon thereafter ArabTRUST was established. Whereas other clubs' supporters' trusts have had to battle to get shares, and a director and voice in their club, Eddie fully supported this and actually proposed it to ArabTRUST, such that the trust are now the second largest shareholder in the Club after Eddie's family.
Eddie never once put himself before the Club, and worked tirelessly to see United back to their former glory. Eddie loved nothing better than speaking about the most recent victory and what the future was for the Club.
Everyone who met Eddie could not fail to be touched by his enthusiasm and generosity, and always at his side was his wife Cath, who supported him at Morning, Noon and Night and then at Tannadice.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Cath, Justine, Stephen and family at this time.
Kenn Elder
Chairman, ArabTRUST
Federation Tribute
Today is the saddest day for all Dundee United supporters. We have lost a wonderful father figure whose massive physical, emotional & financial contribution will always be revered amongst us.
Eddie`s passion, commitment, tenaciousness and determination for Dundee United FC and its supporters to enjoy the success we all craved made him a Chairman who was not only hugely admired by all Arabs but by opposition fans also, a feat that shows the respect he commanded not only at our Club but within the whole Scottish game.
The courage, bravery and devotion to our team shown by Eddie during the latter stages of his illness dispels the myth that there are no heroes anymore; Eddie Thompson is a hero to all of us.
We are all heartbroken today; the heartfelt love and sympathy of every Dundee United FC supporter goes out to Cath, Steven, Justine and the family.
Shug Falconer
Chairman, Federation
Dundee United Busines Club Tribute
It is with great sadness that Eddie, a founding member of the Dundee United Business Club, has passed away and our thoughts are very firmly with Cath, Stephen, Justine and their family who have suffered unimaginable heartache over the past few days.
It is both fitting and right that Eddie's name will forever be linked with the fortunes of Dundee United FC with the renaming of the East Stand. The DUBC members were very proud to be amongst the supporters who called for such an accolade.
Eddie was always a supporter first, we have heard this many times, but it was true. He was a genuine guy who held the club as dear to his heart as any of us ordinary supporters, and this was borne out in his Chairmanship of the Open Day which he started so that everyday supporters would have at least one opportunity per year to meet, get autographs and have their pictures taken with their idols.
He always believed, quite rightly, that supporters were the most important part of a club. he was a genuine man who admitted mistakes, fought his corner like a tiger if necessary but always had time for people and he will be sadly missed.
His generosity of spirit will never be forgotten.
Ewen Allardyce
Chairman
Dundee United Business Club
Jim Murphy Tribute - Scottish Secretary of State
"Eddie Thompson will be irreplaceable. I think it was Len Shackleton who included an empty chapter in his autobiography entitled 'What the average director knows about football' but that's not a charge that could ever be levelled at Eddie. He was a lifetime fan, a great Scottish entrepreneur and a fundamentally decent man who genuinely loved his club and who leaves it in a far better position than he found it, not least by encouraging the involvement of a supporters' trust in taking a place on the board. At a time when all Scottish clubs outwith the Old Firm face a constant battle for stability, his will be an enduring legacy and he will be missed both as a chairman and as a man."
For many, many more tributes, please view our free-to-view tribute page to Eddie Thompson on ArabZONE.
