Thompson reignites bitter Rangers feud as he files for bankrupcy
Stephen Thompson was chairman of Dundee United until March 2018 <i>(Image: SNS Group)</i>
Stephen Thompson was chairman of Dundee United until March 2018 (Image: SNS Group)
Former Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has been discussing a historic feud with Rangers despite admitting to filing for bankruptcy live on the radio.
Thompson was one of the first SPFL chiefs to listen to his club’s supporters and publically state that they were wanting Rangers punished for their financial troubles in 2012.
“Well, they do need a chief exec don’t they?” he joked on BBC’s Off The Ball.
“It’s pretty well known they [Rangers fans] don’t like me.
“We had a bit of a battle with them a couple of years over an abandoned match before that and I charged them half the price to get in again.”
Asked about being blamed by Rangers fans for the club dropping down to the Scottish Third Division over 12 years ago, he responded: “They need to look at what happened at their own club and not look outside.
“It wasn’t anyone else who took the club to where it got to, it happened from within. Everyone wants to blame someone else and football is great for rewriting history.”
And in an open and honest interview with Tam Cowan and Ray Bradshaw, the son of the late Eddie Thompson confessed things haven’t end easy for him lately.
Although he hasn’t ruled out finding a role back within football if someone is willing to give him the opportunity.
“I’ve kind of hit rock bottom to be honest,” he explained.
“I signed a petition for bankruptcy yesterday which isn’t a great place to be in life.
“The stores were making money but we started out at the wrong time. I’d like to get back in football but it’s not easy to get back into.
“I had 17 of years of my life in football. It’s what you know, it’s in your blood.
“I watched United since I was four years old so I’m a football guy. I feel I’ve got something to offer. We had a lot of success at Dundee United, I know it didn’t end well.
“I sat on the league board for six years, done transfers fees, sell on clauses so I know how it works. You’re on a steep learning curve at the start but you don’t forget it and I feel I’ve got something to offer someone.
“I was damaged by it but not now. It certainly affected me for a while. Living in your home city, and Dundee isn’t huge, is tough for anyone who owns a club. But it is what it is. I was damaged for a wee while but you get over that.
“It was a bit of a roller coaster. We went from winning the Scottish Cup to getting relegated so you can’t get higher and lower than that.
“I love the club but it didn’t end the best way. It was a hard act to follow in the footsteps of my dad – and he left me with £7.2million of debt as well which was fun. We got it down to £1m.”
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