Cyril Alfred Thompson (18 December 1918 – 5 April 1972) was an English association footballer and cricketer. He played as a centre forward in the Football League for Southend United, Derby County, Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford. Aged 34, he then moved into non-league football with Folkestone Town, whom he later served as a trainer. Before beginning his career, he served in the British Armed forces in the Second World War, and spent five years in a Prisoner of War camp. Football career After being freed from captivity, Thompson returned to his hometown, joining Southend United. However, the Football League remained suspended for the 1945–46 season, meaning that Thompson was 27 years old when he made his League debut. Despite this, his performances over the following two seasons earned him a transfer to Derby County in 1948, and to Brighton & Hove Albion during the 1949–50 season. His stay there lasted twelve months; in March 1951 he moved to Watford in a direct swap for fellow centre forward Ray Garbutt. Thompson started his Watford career well, playing in all of Watford's remaining 12 league fixtures and scoring 5 goals in the process. Better was to follow in his first full season at the club, when he scored 25 goals from 43 appearances in all competitions. Thompson achieved these tallies despite playing in a team that had finished 23rd and 21st in the league in the respective seasons. Thompson started 1952–53 in a similar vein, but struggled to maintain his form under new manager Len Goulden, and left Watford at the end of the season. After leaving Watford, Thompson finished his career at non-league Folkestone, and later coached the club, living in the area until his death. References 1918 births 1972 deaths British military personnel of World War II Military personnel from Southend-on-Sea Sportspeople from Southend-on-Sea British World War II prisoners of war English cricketers of 1946 to 1968 Association football forwards English Football League players Southend United F.C. players Derby County F.C. players Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Watford F.C. players Folkestone F.C. players English footballers