CHARLES THOMSON
— Bauldie | 23/12/1904 —

I have applied the epitaph of the immortal Shelev to this stalwart centre half-back, because it hits him off to a nicety. There is only one other member of the team wo whom this 'Xmas compliment could be paid with even greater truth and appropriateness, and he, needless to say, is Robert Walker, of Edinburgh and Loanhead. There is, of course, a vast difference between the two Hearts in physique, in style, and in ability. They are opposites, and yet both are most useful as part of a combine. I could imagine the centre half to be greater in his position had he just a little of his clubmate's inimitable trickery on the ball and his powers of snapshotting goals, but I cannot beieve that Robert Walker would be in the least benefited were he gifted with any of these stalwart proportions or of that cavalier-like, Randolph the Reckless abandon for which Thomson is so conspicuous. Had the famous battle of Prestonpans to be fought, I fancy the "Young Pretender" would have chosen such men as the Heart's centre-half to lead any, and chiefly a forlorn, hope.

There is no present Heart excels Charles Thomson in this respect, for over and over again in his club's experience on many a field he has literally saved it from defeat by his brave all-over-the-field show of work and the inspiring influence this had upon his colleagues. A galloper of gallopes, he covers an immense ground, and that with such ease, apprently, as to swoop down upon the enemy ere the latter is aware of his presence. He does so because it is part and parcel of his impulsive-going nature. To have him think or study what he is going to do after the manner of such model centre-halves, as James Cowan, John Holty, Frank Forman, or Alec Raisbeck would simply be to bridle and curb his powers, if not to rob him of them entirely. He eas evidently born to be a "Roving Commissioner," although so far he has not answered exactly to this idea, for Tynecastle is not a great journey from Prestonpans.

When you think of the space, however, which he covers on the field in an hour and a half, and the varied amount of work he compresses into that period, I think in these respects you will agree with me that he is, indeed, qualified to be a "Rover." He is a bustler, a hustler, and a breaker up of the type of John. R. Auld, of Third Lanark, Queen's Park, and Sunderland, but he has greater reach and speed than that ex-Warrior. His mission on the field is not to settle himself so much as to keep other people from settling, or, shall I say, settle them? He showed this v. thr artful Niblo in the International trials on Cathkin Park, when on going full back he went "jing bang" into the Aston Villa dandy in such a harumecarum style as to be called one of the deep- dyed order. Then, too, in the trials at Mea dowside, Partick, the stalwart Heart was a con- spicuous figure, even outshining Reisbeck, Aitken, and all other half-backs bar John May, who meant it to be his day — and so it was, if you please. After witnessing the tame Scottish display at Parkhead by our eleven, I am of opinion that had Thomson been the centre-forward the heart wanted to put fire, vim, and energy into the lackadaisical lot would have been supplied, and Scotland would not have been the pair Scotland she was on that rather sorrowful occasion.

In these matches he caught the selectors' eye, and retained it so far in his favour that he was capped by the S.F.A. talent spotters v. Ireland and by the Scottish League v. England and Ireland. His play more than justified these honours, and I am fully persuaded that, bar accident or illness, he will this season graduate to premier National honours v. "Ta Sassenach" at Crystal Palace. In order to do so, however, he must endeavour to impart a little more repose and study into his play, and try to cultivate a little of that "walking" art at which Robert Walker is such an artist. This doing, and it is not beyond one with such a physique, such a head, and with such a coach beside him as the finest and headiest forward of the day. Charles Thomson, in his own club, has graduated there by sheer merit. Some idea of his progress may be gained from the fact that when seven years ago he marched from the Prestonpans Athletio to Tynecastle, a fourth of a pound represented his weekly wage for playing; now, I understand, he has on the borders of £5 per week; whilst, if not to Hearts, at least to some Southern clubs, he is considered to be worth his weight in gold. As showing his progress and popularity, I may tell you he is at present captain of the Hearts, and I beg leave to say a braver or a bolder or a more handsome has never led Hearts afield since grand old Tom Purdie's halyeon days on old Powderhall. Some idea of the captain's versatility may be gleaned from the fact that he has in turn been a centre-forward, centre-half, and actually played full back. Little wonder I wot that he attempts to play these parts in almost every game. He is not a great pot shot, but I may tell you that v. Ayr three years ago in the Scottish ties he actually scored a goal from full back, a feat seldom accomplished. Personally, he is a genial, likeable chap, a baker to profession, yet neither fond of pastry; nor yet music, for he takes a very low dob; yet never sings the "Heart Bowed Down," for be stands fully 5ft 11in, and weighs 13st 10fb. Play up, Captain; you are a King of Hearts!