Vale #1,#2,#3,#28 Captain Len Thompson

[woe_is_me]

So sad. RIP champ!

[RudeBoy]

Shocking news. when I was a 10yr old kid, he and Carman shared a house a few doors up from me, and they were both terrific blokes. An absolute tragedy.

[ROCKINROCCA]

on behalf of the sydney collingwood suporters group we offer best wishes to the thompson family another reason to win on friday nite

steve anderson

vice president
sydney collingwood supporters group

[Holbrook Bloke]

This is just awful news.

Len and and fellow big man & Legend, South Melbourne's Barry Round were the guests at Wests Annual Sportsman Night before the Pies v Swans game in Sydney this year.

He was just the nicest bloke who signed anything on offer (including my copy of his autobiography) and spoke to each of us one on one as if we were in the pub.

Len revealed he earned around $20 a week in 1964 while a further $20 went to a provident fund that he would eventually see after playing 100 games. He referred to the Pies throughout the night as the “Mightys” and let it be known that if he said anything less than flattering about the Pies on the night, it was "pre-Eddie" Collingwood. He said that Eddie, upon finding out about Len’s chronic back complaint, immediately lined up the best to have it fixed at no cost.

He had a great yarn about playing on John “Big Nick” Nicholls for the first time as a promising but raw youngster. To cut a long story short, Len copped one from Nick during the game and upon catching up years later, Big Nick said “You made one mistake that day. You started to beat me.”

His major gripe with modern footy was the lack of contest. He bemoaned the fact that there were no longer “individual” stars that made a position their own – just ball carriers & chasers. He thought opposing coaches didn't trust their players to win individual contests (e.g. Carey/Jakovich or Hird/Buckley), so negative tactics were used by no name taggers to niggle and harass star player into making a mistake or retaliating.

Vale big fella, I'm just glad i had the opportunity to have a beer with you.

Jonno
Sydney Collingwood Supporters Club

[3rd degree]

Very sad news sounded like a great bloke. My dad said he was the first real athelete in the ruck and was ahead of his time. A mate of mine worked with him and said he was a good bloke. I hope it inspires the lads as friday comes around.

[Johnson#26]

RIP to Len, and best wishes to his family.

http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=51273

[Johnson#26]

Favourites, with that image in mind, Josh will have a blinder this week.

[bobcross26]

That's such sad news. I was only a kid, but I still remember the time when he won the Brownlow....the 1st one I can recall. I think the medal count was broadcast on the radio, and I remember being so excited that a Collingwood player had won it!
Hope we can win it this week for big Len. Deepest sympathy to his family and to all 'Pies fans.

[BHPIE]

A REAL LEGEND
may he rest in peace

[Captain_MyCaptain]

A true gentleman, on and off the field.

One of my childhood heroes. Gone too soon.

[London Dave]

A real Collingwood LEGEND.

Very sad news...condolences to his family and friends.

RIP

[piester]

Am in total shock, I used to wear his number on my back when I was growing up in the 60's. So sad, and really so young. Was one the true greats of Collingwood and the game. RIP Thommo.

['51 Bewick]

Hi,

I am an Essendon supporter who saw Len play many great games against us. Always played the game hard, but fairly, and was one of the very best opponents we played against.

My sincere thoughts go out to his family and to all the pies supporters who enjoyed watching him play.

R.I.P.

[Dgen]

I didn't get to see him live as a player, but obviously one of the very best.

RIP

[wimmey]

Maybe we could all wear black arm bands along with the players and staff on Friday night just show our respect and to show that we are one big family..