Zac Thompson

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Zac Thompson

| image = Zac Thompson.png

| upright = 0.9

| caption = Thompson playing for Leeds United in 2011

| full_name = Zac Joseph Thompson{{cite web

| title = List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/09/2012 and 30/09/2012

| url = http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/registrations/september-2012.ashx | publisher = The Football Association

| access-date = 1 November 2012}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|1|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Higher End, England

| height = 5 ft 10 in{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=483|edition=43rd}}

| position = Defender, midfielder

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Everton

| years1 = 2011–2015 | clubs1 = Leeds United | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2012–2013 | clubs2 = → Bury (loan) | caps2 = 29 | goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2015–2016 | clubs3 = Guiseley | caps3 = 11 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2016–2017 | clubs4 = Marine | caps4 = 12 | goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2017 | clubs5 = St. Kilda | caps5 = | goals5 =

| years6 = 2018 | clubs6 = Altona City | caps6 = 9 | goals6 = 5

| years7 = 2019–2020 | clubs7 = Dandenong City | caps7 = 28 | goals7 = 7

| club-update = 19:54, 1 January 2021 (UTC)

}}

Zac Joseph Thompson (born 5 January 1993) is an English footballer who plays as a defender or a midfielder.

Early life

Born in Higher End, Greater Manchester, Thompson attended Byrchall High School in Ashton-in-Makerfield, where he completed his GCSEs.

Career

=Everton Academy=

Thompson started his career at Premier League side Everton in the youth teams, joining aged 12 in 2005. He signed as a scholar after leaving school in the summer of 2009 but left eighteen months later after failing to earn a professional contract with the Toffees.{{cite news| url=http://www.evertonbanter.co.uk/2009/07/everton-fcs-transfer-plans-loo.html | publisher=Everton Banter| title=Everton FC's transfer plans look exciting, says Sir Philip Carter | date=16 October 2012}} He was offered the opportunity to join newly promoted Championship outfit Leeds United on trial by their manager Simon Grayson in late 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/leeds-trials-everton-prospect-zac-thompson-1323841 |title=Leeds trials for Everton prospect Zac Thompson | Premiership News |publisher=tribalfootball.com |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=12 March 2012}}

=Leeds United=

After a successful trial, Thompson signed for Leeds on his first professional contract in January 2011, initially for six months.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/leeds-trials-everton-prospect-zac-thompson-1323841 |title=Leeds trials for Everton prospect Zac Thompson | Premiership News |publisher=tribalfootball.com |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=12 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110111/new-signing-in-reserve-line-up_2247585_2263478 |title=News | News | News | New Signing in Reserve Line-Up |publisher=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=12 March 2012}}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/9357715.stm | work=BBC Sport| title=Leeds snap up Everton midfielder | date=11 January 2011}} He played 19 games for Leeds for the reserves and youth team both before and after his trial period in 2010–11 and was rewarded with a 12-month extension to his current deal in April.{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/championship/leeds-secure-former-toffees-signature |title=Leeds United – Zac Thompson signs professional forms at Elland Road |publisher=Give Me Football |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=12 March 2012}} The departure of key senior midfielders Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson on free transfers to Bristol City and Norwich City respectively during the summer of 2011 would allow Thompson to stake a claim for a first team spot for United's second full season back in the second tier of English football.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13904048 | title= Bristol City sign Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny | work=BBC Sport| date=24 June 2011}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13992093 | title= Norwich City sign Bradley Johnson from Leeds United | work=BBC Sport| date=1 July 2011}}

In the 2011–12 pre-season, he broke through to Leeds first team, playing in several games for Leeds first team during the 2011–12 pre-season friendlies.{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110716/united-see-off-motherwell_2247585_2393585 |publisher=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=12 March 2012|title = United See off Motherwell}} He was named as an unused substitute against Bradford City on 9 August 2011 and made his debut four days later after coming on as a substitute for Robert Snodgrass in Leeds' 1–0 loss against Middlesbrough.{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110809/nunez-double-seals-cup-progress_2247585_2415087 |title=Nunez Double Seals Cup Progress |publisher=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=12 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110813/three-see-red-as-united-lose-out_2247585_2418574 |title=News | News | News | Three See Red As United Lose Out |publisher=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=12 March 2012}}{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/14429778.stm | title = Leeds 0–1 Middlesbrough | work = BBC Sport| date = 13 August 2011 | access-date = 13 August 2011}} Thompson made his full debut for Leeds on 23 August when he started against Doncaster Rovers in a 2–1 League Cup victory.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14539214.stm | title = Doncaster Vs Leeds | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 23 August 2011 | access-date = 23 August 2011}} After becoming a regular in Leeds' matchday squads, at the start of September, Thompson suffered an ankle injury which ruled him out for six-weeks.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110912/boss-disappointment-at-zacs-blow_2247585_2448766 | title = Boss disappointment at zac's blow | publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date = 12 September 2011 | access-date = 12 September 2011}}

After a promising start to the new season, Thompson was rewarded with a two-year deal midway through October.{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20111012/latest-youngster-signs-new-deal_2247585_2479668 |title=News | News | News | Latest Youngster Signs New Deal |publisher=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=12 March 2012}} Thompson returned to the first team in the new year, making his first league start for Leeds against Burnley in a 2–1 victory on 2 January, playing in central midfield before being moved to right back after an injury to Patrick Kisnorbo.{{cite news | url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120102/ross-wins-it-at-the-last_2247585_2563469 | title=ROSS WINS IT AT THE LAST! | publisher=Leeds United F.C.| date=2 January 2012 }} He retained his place in the starting line for the remaining four games of January, including an impressive defensive display away against Arsenal in the FA Cup, as Leeds slipped to a narrow 1–0 defeat after a late Thierry Henry strike.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16381242 | title=Arsenal 1–0 Leeds United | work=BBC Sport| date=9 January 2012 }} The last game of this run coincided with Simon Grayson's final game as manager before being sacked on the final day of the month; a 4–1 home defeat to Birmingham City on a January transfer deadline day that saw Leeds recruit competition for Thompson in the form of Tottenham Hotspur's youngster Adam Smith on loan.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16695952 | title=Leeds United 1–4 Birmingham City | work=BBC Sport| date=31 January 2012 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16811432 | title=Leeds sign Tottenham Hotspur youngster Adam Smith on loan | work=BBC Sport| date=31 January 2012 }} Thompson lost his place to Smith in the following game and caretaker manager Neil Redfearn first match in charge in what was a comfortable 3–0 victory away to Bristol City.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16778921 | title=Bristol City 0–3 Leeds United | work=BBC Sport| date=4 February 2012 }} Thompson would find his opportunities limited for the rest of the season whilst Leeds appointed former Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock to replace Grayson.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17084388 | title= Neil Warnock appointed Leeds United manager | work=BBC Sport| date=18 February 2012 }}

After the expiration of Leeds' slim hopes of making the Play-Offs, Thompson returned to the first-team and made his first appearance under Warnock on 6 April 2012 away to Reading.{{cite news | url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120406/late-goals-break-united-resistance_2247585_2725768 | title=LATE GOALS BREAK UNITED RESISTANCE | publisher=Leeds United F.C.| date=6 April 2012 }} He lasted 13 minutes in the game before being given a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Jobi McAnuff as a resilient Leeds side went down 0–2 to two late goals from Adam Le Fondre.{{cite news | url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120406/late-goals-break-united-resistance_2247585_2725768 | title=LATE GOALS BREAK UNITED RESISTANCE | publisher=Leeds United F.C.| date=6 April 2012 }} He would cap his first professional senior with two further starts in a draw and a defeat against Cardiff City and Leicester City.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17711771 | title=Cardiff 1–1 Leeds United | publisher=BBC Football | date=21 April 2012 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17795266 | title=Leeds United 1–2 Leicester City | publisher=BBC Football | date=28 April 2012 }}

After appearing for the team in the pre-season summer 2012 schedule, Thompson found himself on the fringes of the squad for Warnock's first full season in charge as fellow young prospect Sam Byram leapfrogged him in the pecking order for the right sided position. Nevertheless, he made his first appearance of the 2012–13 season as a substitute in a League Cup match against Oxford United on 28 August as Leeds ran out 3–0 winners.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120828/oxford-live_2247585_2902951 | title = OXFORD LIVE | access-date = 28 August 2012 | publisher = Leeds United F.C.| date = 28 August 2012}} Thompson signed a new three-year deal at the club on 2 October, with manager Neil Warnock predicting a bright future for the player at the club whilst reiterating the need for Thompson to gain valuable match experience from a loan spell in the lower leagues.{{cite web|title=]MIDFIELDER SIGNS NEW UNITED DEAL|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121002/midfielder-signs-new-united-deal_2247585_2936184|work=Leeds United F.C.|access-date=2 October 2012}}

=Bury loan move=

On 15 October 2012, Thompson and teammate Dominic Poleon joined League One side Bury in a month-long loan deal.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19948052 | title = Bury sign Leeds duo Dominic Poleon & Zac Thompson on loan | access-date = 15 October 2012 | work = BBC Sport| date = 15 October 2012}} Both youngsters would be working under the newly appointed Bury manager Kevin Blackwell, who had a seventeen-year association with Warnock as player and coach between 1986 and 2003 and had managed Thompson's parent club between 2004 and 2006.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19948052 | title = Bury sign Leeds duo Dominic Poleon & Zac Thompson on loan | access-date = 15 October 2012 | work = BBC Sport| date = 15 October 2012}} He was assigned the number 33 shirt and made his debut for the Shakers in the home game versus Carlisle United.{{Cite news | url = http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/leeds-brace-join-on-loan-426425.aspx | title = Leeds Brace Join on Loan | access-date = 15 October 2012 | publisher = Bury F.C.| date = 15 October 2012}} He scored his first professional goal from a Poleon assist in the game on the 36th minute as Bury registered a 1–1 draw after conceding a late equaliser.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19880256| title = Bury Vs Carlisle| access-date = 16 October 2012 | work = BBC Sport| date = 16 October 2012}} The energy and commitment of the youngsters lead to instant praise from Blackwell after the game; observing that "the two young lads from Leeds were absolutely out on their feet after that. For them, the warm up matters, every time they train matters, when they travel in – it matters and I'm really pleased with both of them, the whole team."{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121017/former-boss-thanks-the-gaffer_2247585_2951078 | title = Former Boss Thanks the Gaffer | access-date = 23 October 2012 | publisher = Leeds United | date = 17 October 2012}}

In the following game versus Yeovil Town at Huish Park, Thompson was given a straight red card on 27 minutes after a two-footed lunge on Keanu Marsh-Brown as ten-men Bury went down 2–1.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19939718 | title = Yeovil 2–1 Bury | access-date = 20 October 2012 | work = BBC Sport| date = 20 October 2012}} It was the second time in only nine professional starts that the youngster had received a straight red card.{{Cite news | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61246 | title = Zac Thompson | access-date = 20 October 2012 | publisher = Soccerbase | date = 20 October 2012}} He missed the following three games through suspension, including the FA Cup 1st round victory over Exeter City.{{Cite news | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61246 | title = Zac Thompson | access-date = 20 October 2012 | publisher = Soccerbase | date = 20 October 2012}}

Thompson's loan at Bury was further extended on 19 November until 3 January 2013 and then again till the end of the season later that month.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121119/duos-loans-extended-at-bury_2247585_2985124 | title = DUO'S LOANS EXTENDED AT BURY | access-date = 19 November 2012 | publisher = Leeds United Official Website| date = 19 November 2012}} Despite being in the Bury side that suffered relegation to League Two, Thompson's own impressive performances earned him the Bury Young Player of The Year Award at the club's end of season awards.{{Cite news | url = http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/clean-sweep-for-schumacher-795420.aspx | title = Skipper Steven Schumacher named player of the season | access-date = 28 April 2013 | publisher = Bury F.C.| date = 28 April 2013}}

=Return to Leeds=

Thompson was named in the starting lineup for Leeds in their final game of the 2012–13 season, against Watford. However, an unforeseen clause in his loan deal at Bury forced his replacement by Michael Brown prior to kickoff. The game ended as a 2–1 victory for the Yorkshire side.{{cite news

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320478

| title = Watford Miss Out on Automatic Promotion

| work = BBC Sport

| date = 4 May 2013 }}

After mainly featuring in the development squad for the 2014–15 season, on 13 May 2015 upon the expiry of his contract, Leeds announced that he would be released.{{Cite web

| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/8vnxct5efa2m1vcq9ks3km08f/title/retained-list---summer-2015

| title = Austin Released by Leeds United

| publisher = Leeds United

| date = 13 May 2015

| access-date = 12 May 2015

}}

After playing for Guiseley{{Soccerway|zac-thompson/170353}} and Marine,{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/marine/teams/120810/player/zac-thompson-1798490/39849|title=Zac Thompson at Marine|publisher=Marine F.C.|access-date=1 January 2019}} Thompson moved to Australia where he played for Victorian State League Division 1 side St. Kilda{{cite web|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/27/former-leeds-united-talent-zac-thompson-joins-fourth-tier-austra/|title=Former Leeds United talent Zac Thompson joins fourth-tier Australian side|website=hitc.com|date=27 March 2017|access-date=1 January 2019}} and then National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 side Altona City.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=203052067&client=1-8746-124342-478156-16773731|title=Zac Thompson stats at Football Victoria|publisher=Football Victoria|access-date=1 January 2019}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 18 December 2012}}{{cite web |title= Statistics |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=61246 |publisher=Soccerbase |access-date=1 October 2008}}

rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Club !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Play-offs !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bury \|2012–13	League One \|19	1	2	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	22	2
rowspan="3"\|Leeds United \|2012–13 \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	1	0
2011–12 \|Championship \|9	0	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	11	0
colspan="2"\|Total !8	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	11	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !28	1	3	2	2	0	0	0	33	2