Jim Thomson is Captain Fantastic

Mar 20 2009 by Iain Pollock, Dumfries Standard Friday

JIM THOMSON has experienced just about everything during his two spells with Queen of the South.

The operative words in that paragraph being “just about”.

A league winner’s medal? Check.

Cup winner’s medal? Check.

Appearances in both the Scottish Cup Final and Europe? Double check.

Relegation? Not something he wants to cross off his list this season.

“We have been close to going down a couple of times, but we’ve managed to show character and pull ourselves out of trouble,” he told the Standard. “Relegation is the worst feeling in the world. I won’t even entertain the possibility of it here.”

As the Doonhamers celebrate their 90th anniversary, Thomson’s place in the club’s history books is already secure; legendary status guaranteed, if only for THAT goal against Rangers in last year’s cup final.

The 37-year-old’s first spell at Queens lasted less than two years before he departed for Arbroath. However, the appointment of John Connolly as manager led to an emotional return for the popular centre-half in 2001.

“I don’t know anything else other than Queens,” he added. “I’ve been here that long. It is a great club, a special club.

“I have never been a great footballer but I probably make up for it with the effort I put into games. I’m always 100 per cent committed because you know you are playing for the town.

“It was devastating to leave for Arbroath. I didn’t want to go, but financial matters came into play, so I needed to move on.

“But fortunately John wanted me back down here when he took over as manager and I was delighted to re-sign. They say you should never go back, but I’ve never looked back.

“My second spell here has been a dream. Some guys play 20 years and are lucky if they have one medal. I’ve more than that and had the chance to experience so much more.

“I don’t have many regrets, but if there is one, then it is the fact that I should never have left this club in the first place. I am grateful for everything I have been involved in with Queens.”

In his time at Palmerston, Thomson has played under many managers; Rowan Alexander, Connolly and Ian McCall to name but a few.

When asked who he has enjoyed working with the most, big Jim answers as confidently as he clears his lines when out on the pitch.

“Every manager is different,” he says. “But I enjoy working with the current one, Gordon Chisholm, the most. He obviously knows the game and his training and coaching sessions are excellent.

“But you pick up something from all the gaffers you play under. John helped us win the Second Division title while Ian did a terrific job and raised the profile of the club.”

And when invited to pick his favourite moment as a Queens player, Thomson, now in his testimonial year, can’t resist choosing two.

“I will always remember the final whistle at the end of our cup semi-final win over Aberdeen,” he adds. “The realisation that we were going to the final and would have the chance of playing at Hampden again was incredible.

“My other favourite memory is my goal against Rangers in the final. It is the sort of thing you dream about as a wee boy, yet I got the opportunity to experience it for real.”

Queens may have boasted players with more style and finesse in its 90-year history than big Jim, but if you take a trip down memory lane, you won’t find many with as much heart and passion for the only team in the bible.