Charles Bellany Thomson

Thomson moved to Sunderland in 1908 in a joint transfer with goalkeeper Thomas Allan for £700. At the time a transfer fee limit of £350 existed in the Football League and it has been speculated that the joint fee was a means to circumvent these restrictions, with more than 50% of the fee being liable for Thomson's signature. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] These suggestions are supported by two facts: firstly, Thomson was at that point Scotland captain while Allan was not recognised internationally; secondly Allan returned to Hearts two seasons later for a fee much less than £350. Thomson's time with Sunderland was no less successful than his time with Hearts. Quickly appointed club captain, he led the team through a remarkably consistent period: during his time with the club they finished no lower than eighth in the First Division . He made over 264 major appearances for Sunderland (seven goals) [ 8 ] and helped them to the 1912–13 League title. The Black Cats narrowly missed out on a double that season when beaten 1–0 by Aston Villa in the 1913 FA Cup Final , with Thomson and the Villa centre-forward Harry Hampton both later suspended for a month for their conduct in what was a bruising occasion. [ 9 ] During World War I , The Haddingtonshire Advertiser reported that Thomson was "again following his trade as a baker, being presently attached to the Italian Army in that capacity." [ 10 ] Thomson retired from playing in 1919, at the age of 41, and became a publican back in his native Scotland. [ 3 ] — Wikipedia