Guy Thompson Explained

Guy Thompson
Birth Name:Guy Edwin Peter Thompson
Birth Date:23 January 1987
Birth Place:Hereford, England
Height:6 ft 1 in
Weight:233lb
School:Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School
Bromsgrove School
University:University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Position:Flanker / Number 8
Currentclub:Jersey Reds
Years1:2010 - 11
Clubs1:Richmond F.C.
Apps1:18
Points1:95
Years2:2011 - 13
Clubs2:Jersey Reds
Apps2:49
Points2:125
Years3:2013 - 18
Clubs3:Wasps RFC
Apps3:100
Points3:120
Years4:2018 - 2020
Clubs4:Leicester Tigers
Apps4:33
Points4:30
Years5:2020 - 2021
Clubs5:Ealing Trailfinders
Apps5:11
Points5:20
Years6:2021 - 2022
Clubs6:Jersey Reds
Apps6:9
Points6:20
Totalyears:2010 - 2022
Totalapps:220
Totalpoints:410
Clubupdate:25 May 2022

Guy Edwin Peter Thompson (born 23 January 1987)[1] is an English retired rugby union player. He played flanker or number 8. Between 2013 and 2018 Thompson played 100 times for Wasps and has also previously played for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby, Richmond F.C., in National League 2 South, Ealing Trailfinders & Jersey Reds in the RFU Championship.

Career

Early life

Born in Hereford and raised by a single mother Thompson attended Bishop's School in Hereford[2] before going to Bromsgrove School, alongside future Wasps teammate Matt Mullan.[3]

After graduating from University of Wales Institute, Cardiff Thompson joined Gloucester on an academy contract, after one season he left the club without playing a game and spent time traveling.[4] Returning to Hereford Thompson then moved to London for work and joined Richmond F.C. in 2010.[3]

Professional rugby

A successful season at Richmond saw Thompson offered the chance to become a full-time professional again with Jersey Reds, then in National League 1.[3] Thompson helped Jersey in promotion to the RFU Championship in his first season and then secure survival at that level in his second year. Thompson was Jersey's top try scorer in both seasons on the island.[2]

On 10 May 2013 it was announced Thompson would be joining London Wasps in the Premiership.[5]

After five seasons at Wasps, including the move from High Wycombe to Coventry, Thompson signed for Leicester Tigers on 26 January 2018 with the move to happen in the summer of 2018.[6]

Thompson made his Leicester debut as a replacement on 8 September 2018 in a 48–33 win for Leicester against Newcastle Falcons. On 19 April 2019 Thompson scored twice and provided the final pass for another try as Leicester beat Newcastle Falcons to avoid what would have been relegation for the first time in club history.[7] During the season to that point Leicester's record with Thompson was six wins from 10 games, and their record without him was one win from nine games.[8] He was voted as the club's newcomer of the year award for the 2018–19 season.[9]

On 11 June 2020, Thompson left Leicester Tigers to join RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders from the 2020–21 season.[10] After one season with Ealing Thompson re-joined Jersey Reds, also in the Championship.[11]

Thompson announced his retirement from rugby on 28 April 2022.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Guy Thompson. ESPN. 21 April 2018.
  2. News: Former Hereford Rugby Club player Guy Thompson joins Premiership outfit London Wasps. Hereford Times. 17 May 2013. 21 April 2018.
  3. Web site: The Guy Thompson story: from 'retirement' at 19 to starring for Wasps in the Premiership. Coventry Telegraph. 12 October 2016. 21 April 2018.
  4. Web site: Hereford's Guy Thompson on his time at Aviva Premiership leaders Wasps. Hereford Times. 19 January 2017. 21 April 2018.
  5. Web site: Thompson's departure confirmed. Jersey Reds. 10 May 2013. 21 April 2018.
  6. Web site: Leicester Tigers: Guy Thompson & Will Spencer to join for start of 2018-19 season. 26 January 2018. 21 April 2018. BBC.
  7. News: 19 April 2019. 25 May 2022. Guy Thompson helps Leicester hold off relegation threat with dramatic win over Newcastle. The Daily Telegraph. subscription. Richard. Bath.
  8. News: Guy Thompson interview: 'Neil Back and Lewis Moody bled for the Leicester Tigers shirt. I'll bleed for it too'. subscription. 26 April 2019. 25 May 2022. Charlie. Morgan. The Daily Telegraph.
  9. News: Back-row forward Guy Thompson to leave Leicester Tigers at end of the season - report. Leicester Mercury. Paul. Jones. 5 April 2020. 25 May 2022.
  10. News: GUY THOMPSON SIGNS FOR EALING TRAILFINDERS. Ealing Trailfinders. 11 June 2020. 6 July 2020.
  11. News: Guy Thompson: Jersey Reds re-sign back-row after eight years away. BBC Sport. 16 June 2021. 12 September 2021.
  12. News: Guy Thompson: Jersey Reds' former Leicester and Wasps forward to retire. BBC Sport. 28 April 2022. 25 May 2022.