Craig Thomson (footballer, born 1991)

Hearts

Thomson made his competitive debut for Hearts on 27 August 2009 in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb; Thomson was named as the man of the match on the official Hearts website. He made his SPL debut 3 days later at McDiarmid Park in a 2–2 draw with St Johnstone, and was again named as the man of the match by the official Hearts website. Thomson earned praise from team-mate Marius Zaliukas, and won the SPL young player of the month award for September 2009. Thomson impressed with his crossing ability and delivery from corners and free kicks. On 31 July 2010, Thomson scored two goals with direct free-kicks in a 3-2 victory over Millwall at the New Den in a pre-season friendly. On 23 April 2011, Thomson scored his first competitive goal for Hearts from the penalty spot, as Hearts surrendered a three-goal lead to draw 3–3 with Motherwell at Tynecastle.

Thomson was convicted on 17 June at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after admitting 'lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour' towards two girls aged 12 and 14. He admitted to showing them male genitalia, asking the older one for sex and engaging them in sexual chat. He was fined £4,000 and placed on the sex offenders register for five years. Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas. He returned to Scotland at the end of the Lithuanian football season in November 2011, but was not invited to train with Hearts. Thomson was unable to play for a club until January 2012 because of the transfer window rules. After making no appearance for the club in the 2012-13 season, Hearts announced that Thomson has been released and cutting his £1,500 weekly salary from the club's wage bill.

FBK Kaunas

On 10 July 2011, Hearts announced that Thomson would leave the club imminently, following his conviction for indecent behaviour. Thomson made 52 appearances in all competitions for Hearts. He was loaned to FBK Kaunas, another club owned by Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, on 31 July. This meant that Thomson became the first Scottish footballer to play in Lithuania. Thomson played for Kaunas until the end of the 2011 Lithuanian season, in November. On 31 July 2011, Thomson made his debut for Kaunas and provided assist for Evaldas Razulis in a 3-1 win over FK Kruoja Pakruojis. On 28 August 2011, Thomson scored his first goal in A Lyga league and scored again in a 2–1 win over Sūduva Marijampolė. On 17 September 2011, Thomson scored his third goal in a 4–3 win over FK Atlantas. seven days later on 24 September 2011, Thomson scored twice in a 3–2 loss against FK Mažeikiai. Thomson made 14 league appearance and scored five goals for FBK Kaunas.

FK Sūduva

On 9 March 2012, Thomson signed for Lithuanian A-Lyga side FK Sūduva on loan. On 17 March 2012, Thomson scored on his debut for FK Suduva, in a 4–1 win over FK Tauras Tauragė. In August, Thomson made a return to Hearts after his loan spell at Sūduva had ended.

Career After Hearts

Following his release from Hearts, Thomson moved to Cypriot side AEP Paphos. However, the move was broken down after the club found out his conviction for sexual offences. After being without a club for some time, Thomson returned to the game in March 2014 with local Junior side Arniston Rangers. He moved on to Newtongrange Star in July 2014 and joined Kelty Hearts two years later. Thomson spent two years with Kelty Hearts, helping the side win the SJFA East Superleague title in 2017, before returning to the Scottish football league system with Scottish League Two club Edinburgh City on 3 July 2017.

International career

Having featured for Scotland U19, Thomson made his Scotland U21 debut in a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland U21 at Firhill on 17 November 2010. His second appearance at under-21 level came in a friendly 1–0 defeat to Belgium U21, after which he was singled out for praise by manager Billy Stark.

Personal awards and achievements

Personal life

In June 2011, Thomson was put on the sex offenders' register for 5 years and fined £4,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent behaviour. The charges were related to "sexual conversations" that he had had with two underage girls over the internet. Despite calls from fans for Thomson to be dismissed, the club after a full investigation opted to allow Thomson to stay at the club, acknowledging that his actions were unacceptable but claiming that there were sufficient mitigating circumstances. Hearts' decision was criticised by the mother of one of his victims and a children's charity, while a water supplier withdrew their sponsorship of the club. Days after their decision to retain Thomson, Hearts suspended him.

Hearts announced on 10 July that Thomson would leave the club, following a further disciplinary meeting with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov. It was not apparent, however, whether Thomson would be released by Hearts, or transferred to another club. On 31 July, he was loaned to FBK Kaunas, another club controlled by Romanov. Thomson returned to Scotland at the end of his loan spell. He has since been released by Hearts.

In November 2011, Thomson was arrested and charged with grooming offence once again after "trying to lure a 12-year-old girl into meeting up with him more than two years ago." After a year being charged, Edinburgh Evening News reported that Thomson has been cleared for his actions on grooming, due to lack of evidence. Upon his release, Thomson continues to remain as a sex offenders register for another three years.

In late 2013, Thomson is facing police charge after being reported by Midlothian Council officials for working as an unlicensed window cleaner.