CHIC THOMSONNottingham Forest's goalkeeper from the 1959 FA Cup Final, Charlie 'Chic' Thomson, died on 6 January, 2009.Mr Thomson, who was 78, made more than 120 appearances for the club between 1957 and 1961 and the high point of his career was the win over Luton in the cup final at Wembley.He began his career at Clyde, then signed for Chelsea in 1952, helping them win the League Championship in 1955, before moving to the City Ground in 1957.Mark Arthur, the Forest chief executive, said it was a sad day for the club: "We were deeply saddened to learn of his death and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Pat, family and friends."Chic's name is etched firmly in the folklore of this club and Forest supporters of all ages will mourn his passing."Mr Thomson was born in Perth in Scotland on 2 March, 1930, and followed in the footsteps of his father who was also a professional goalkeeper.Chic's career began at Clyde and took him to Chelsea, where he won the title in 1955.But it was that momentous afternoon in north London on 2 May, 1959, for which he will always be remembered by Forest fans.Recalling the big day in an interview with the Nottingham Evening Post in 2005, Mr Thompson said the day was "a one off, unforgettable experience", and said the FA Cup held a special place in English sport."This was especially true in the late 1950s when it was a massive occasion. Along with the Derby and the Grand National, it was part of a special English tradition."I have talked to lots of ex-professional footballers, who like myself had magnificent careers spread over 14 or 15 years but never made an FA Cup final."So I feel doubly fortunate to have won the league title with Chelsea and then followed it up by being part of Forest's FA Cup triumph."Nottingham' s first cup final of the 20th Century generated unprecedented excitement. Staff at Nottingham Victoria Station decorated the building with rosettes and giant cut-outs of the Forest players.And soon after the kick off, it all looked rosy as Forest's stylish football on the lush Wembley turf saw the Reds go two up within a quarter of an hour.Roy Dwight converted a Stewart Imlach centre in the ninth minute and five minutes later Billy Gray crossed for Tommy Wilson to head home.But after 33 minutes Dwight was carried off with a broken leg, and Luton's David Pacey pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute.But Forest held on and made history by becoming the first side to lift the trophy with ten men.Mr Thompson said: "It was a tremendous relief when the final whistle went."But the hard work was soon forgotten as we prepared to walk up the steps to the Royal box for the presentation of medals."We were introduced to Prince Philip before the game started and it was a great honour to receive our medals from the Queen. The whole day is a very happy memory."After retiring from football, Mr Thompson remained in Nottingham, where he died following an illness.
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