Former Kilmarnock goalkeeping coach Billy Thomson has died, aged 64.
The legendary Dundee United stopper was a coach at Rugby Park for 14 years before joining Stranraer in 2021.
He was a part of Steve Clarke's staff when the Ayrshire club finished third in the Scottish Premiership in 2019 and qualified for the Europa League, as well as being part of Kenny Shiels' staff during the 2012 League Cup win.
Thomson was a renowned shot-stopper at Tannadice throughout the late 1980s and made 234 appearances under Jim McLean, starting the UEFA Cup Final in 1987. He is best known for his time in Tayside and was beloved at St Mirren with more than 200 appearances before his move to Tayside. Thomson also featured for Partick Thistle, Rangers, Motherwell and Dundee before retiring in 1996.
While in Paisley, he made his Scotland debut in 1980 and played seven times for his country between 1980 and 1983. He came through the ranks at Thistle and was understudy to Allan Rough and moved to St Mirren for £50,000 - a remarkable fee for a keeper at the time.
He spent two years at Rangers later in his career where he was backup to Andy Goram.
He later spent time time coaching with Dundee, Rangers and before his time at Kilmarnock. He passes away aged 64 after 48 years of playing and coaching.
Raymond Montgomerie, ambassador of Kilmarnock Football Club, said: “Billy was an immensely talented coach whose legacy is evident through the countless goalkeepers that he has developed over the years.
"A long-term career at the club displays how highly past managers valued his coaching ability and, just as importantly, the life that he brought to the changing room through his unique character and famed sense of humour.”
Kevin McNeill, club kitman and long-term colleague of Billy, added: “Thommo was a wonderful man whose jokes could always be heard echoing across the corridors of Rugby Park.
"If anyone was having a bad day, or if the team required picking up after a defeat, Thommo was the person that would be called upon. He has been a tremendous friend to so many people around the club and he’ll be missed dearly."
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