Thompson, born in Hackney, only picked up a hockey stick in 1981 aged 14 but by 1983 was representing the England U16 team. Thompson played club hockey for
Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in the
Men's England Hockey League from 1986 and was involved in the Seoul 1988 Olympic training squad. After missing selection for the 1992 Olympics he was added to the squad for the
1994 Men's Hockey World Cup. Still at Old Loughtonians he was selected for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and participated in the
1998 Men's Hockey World Cup. Thompson left Old Loughtonians to join
Cannock and experienced a legue title success during the
2003–04 England Hockey League season and in 2010 would become the England Hockey leagues all–time record scorer with 280 goals. Thompson coached after finishing his playing career and coached the U21 England U21 squad from 2006 until 2008. In 2010 coached
Cambridge City Hockey Club to National League status. == References ==