[3] Thompson signed for Ron Suart's Blackpool in August of the 1961–62 season, from Stockton, making his debut on 14 October in a 2–1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road.
He replaced the departed Barrie Martin at left-back, and went on to appear in 43 of Blackpool's 45 league and cup matches.
[8] Thompson scored his only goal for the club in 1965–66, in a 5–3 home League victory over Arsenal on 16 October, en route to making 36 appearances.
[4] He joined York City, who were then in the Fourth Division, in July 1970 and played four matches for the team, with these appearances coming after an injury to Chris Topping after the opening day of the 1970–71 season.
[13] Thompson was part of the Great Britain squad for the 1960 Summer Olympics,[14] and started in their first match against Brazil.
[13] He was stretchered off with a broken leg on 56 minutes with Great Britain leading 2–1, after which the Brazilian team capitalised on their numerical advantage to win 4–3.