It was on this day in 1998 that Motherwell Youth player Andy Thomson sadly passed away at the age of 19.
Below is a extract appeared in the club programme dated 16 December 1998 for the game against Dundee.
At the Church Service, Jim Griffin delivered the following Eulogy:
“I had the privilege of working with Andy for a number of years.
Andy, like myself, a local lad, was delighted and proud to be a player at Motherwell Football Club.
During his apprenticeship, Andy showed a natural enthusiasm and willingness to learn, always very helpful, reliable, diligent in every task he performed, both on and off the field, thus making him the uniquely talented person he was.
Andy was liked by everyone, aptly described as “a loud in your face character”, who had a bizarre sense of humour. It’s this humorous side of Andy that I would like to touch upon.
One day while polishing the match boots of one of the senior pros, the player commented to Andy that his boots looked good but he would like to see his face in them.
Andy, slightly stunned, promptly disappeared to correct the situation.
Shortly afterwards Andy returned to the unsuspecting Pro and said – “This is as good as it gets.”
The player looked at his boots only to see a photograph of himself stuck on either boot! That was Andy. Always, laughing, joking, enjoying himself.
None of us could have been prepared for Andy’s tragic death, and of course, we will find the sudden loss very difficult to deal with.
None more so than his parents, Alex and Mary, and his girlfriend, Natalie. May you all take great comfort from the listening ears and comforting arms offered by those close to you at this traumatic time and in the times ahead.”
