To say the club of Hamilton would be the same without the prescence of the one Charles "Chuck" Thompson, or the league for the matter would be an understatement. Known for giving himself nicknames like Charles "Speckie" Thompson (it never stuck), cracking terrible Australian jokes that not even the Aussies find amusing, or even showing up to a house party with a 6 pack of PBR and leaving with a 12 pack of Steam Whistle, Chucky is definately a much loved character around the club. Not to mention his terribly awkward kick that always manages to find its target.
For the past 13 years Chuck has bled the yellow and black, and not all through easy times either. As he talks about in a brief interview below, he went through 44 consecutive games in his 150+ game career in a losing side. Not easy by any means, especially when you are a rookie in a brand new sport. No one likes to be a part of a losing side right?
But Charles continued through and was the backbone that held together the club up until the mid to late 2000s and was a very active member in the OAFL and a big part of Team Canada as well. Up until that time, Chuck did everything from kicking a bag of goals on the field, luring Aussies and Canadians to the club in a recruiting role for the last 10+ years, running websites/facebook/twitter pages, you name it. He had a hand in it. Over the past few years in the sunset of his career he has been able to hand over the reigns to the new up and comers (who will be lucky to reach even half of Chucks achievements) and concentrate on his game and take a new direction by being a key player in defence. To this date I would argue that Chuck was by far the best overhead mark I have ever seen by a Canadian in this league, and his courage running back with a pack has always been second to none.
With that said, he now has 2 gorgeous children and a fabulous wife, and along with it a body that is simple saying "no more footy" no matter how much his heart wants it.
So this Saturday the Hamilton Wildcats AFC will honour Chucky in his last ever game of footy for the club vs the Central Blues. It'll be a teary day for all, and we suggest you all come out to send off this club great.
You'll be greatly missed Chucky.
Below is a list of Chucks achievements in his long career, as well as an interview conducted earlier this week discussing life during, and after footy.
Club Achievements:
- Joined Wildcats in 2000, missed 3 games between 2000-2011.
- This weekends game will be his 170th (current club record).
- Currently sitting on 227 career goals (current club record).
- Most Goals in a season, 42 goals (current club record)
- Past Club President (2003-2008)
- Past Club Vice President (2001, 2002)
- Heart & Soul Award Winner (Players Choice Award - Highest club honour)
- 6 Time Club Leading Goalkicker
- 5 Time Ironman Award Winner (No Games missed)
- 2000 Club Rookie of the Year
- 2001 Club Defensive Player of the Year
- Co-founder of Wildcats Womens team
OAFL/AFLC Achievements:
- 6 Time OAFL All-Star (2001-2007)
- Past OAFL Secretary (2003)
- 7 Time Northwind Team member (15+ games played for Canadian National Team)
- Finished 2nd on OAFL Goalkicking Ladder (2005)
AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES "CHUCKY" THOMPSON
**Conducted by the Hobbit**
So Chucky, its been a fairly long career for you in the OAFL, tell us about your favorite personal and team highlights throughout your 13 years playing footy?
Well, personally, being selected to Team Canada in my rookie season was a huge honour. As far as team goes; winning our 1st game after 44 straight losses...pretty much almost 3 full season; defeating Broadview 62-61. That was awesome.
Taking a look at your long list of achievements (attached in this article) it is an impressive list: not only by Ontario and Canada standards, but Australian standards too. Looking back, do you feel like its all happened?
It doesn't feel real. I'm not the typical "athlete", although I do play a lot of different sports so it a little shocking to see the list of achievements. Very flattering though.
On that note, do you feel as if you have accomplished all you can in footy here in Ontario? Was there anything left "undone"?
I would have loved to have been named Captain for the Wildcats and definitely to have won a Premiership with the Club I've spent so many years with.
And of course with the highs come the lows, what has been some of your biggest personal downers and team lows?
Well, the first 3-4 seasons were pretty lean years so to speak, as we had multiple forfeits and a 44 game witless streak at one point. Personally, just battling through some injuries, as I tore my left ACL & MCL in my last game of my rookie year. Fortunate I was able to rehab over the winter and was ready for Round 1 the following year.
Where does being the only player in the history of the Hamilton AFC to literally "crap their pants" during a game come into this?
Hahahaha. I almost forgot about that, thanks for reminding me. Ummm, I guess its just one of those things that can happen when a team likes to party like we do!!!
You took footy on at a physically ripe age in your early 20s; being a handy sportsmen of sorts what was the biggest hurdle skill wise you had to overcome to be good at footy?
Kicking. Very different style than rugby or soccer, and both were sports I had played since a was 4 or 5 years old.
Who do you think was your biggest mentor or inspiration over your career that helped you the most?
Well, I don't take criticism very well as I have a tendency to take it quite personally...so there's been times over the years were people have been offering help but I didn't realize until later that they were trying to give advice, not insults. Former Northwind Coach Greg Everett, Wildcats teammates Daniel Crouch & Justin Johns have been key in helping me to improve over the years, although I'm sure I've supplied my fair share of frustration their way.
You have been on the end of some serious sprays from some players and coaches (this author has seen a few of them) from time to time, any funny quotes or people you'd like to oust?
Probably the most notable was when Team Canada had sent 2 teams down to Phoenix, Az to compete in a 9 a side tourney. I was traveling with another Wildcat (Julian Thornbury), but since he was arriving a day later than everyone else as well as he and I would be staying with my cousin instead of the team hotel; Head Coach Greg Everett had asked me to make sure we rented an extra van to help with transportation of all the players. Well, needless to say, when Julian & I showed up to team training 30mins late in a 2dr convertible Ford Mustang, Coach Greg was less than impressed. I remember him screaming in front of the entire team right in the middle of training: "What the fuck Chucky...what part of rent a damn minivan did you not understand?" My reply: "Apparently all of it."
Who do you think was the most skilled Canadian and Australian you have played with at Hamilton?
Wow, tough question. Canadian: Tie between Julian Thornbury, Mike Nolan & Justin Settle. Australian: Tie between Daniel Crouch, Charlie Ray & Brett Aiken.
You have played your career all over the ground, from being a full forward to playing as a key defender in the backline, and even more recently playing lose on the wing. Who do you think your toughest opponent has been over the 13 years and why? (Whether it be a playing on a defender or trying to shut down a key forward)
This is easy to answer: Troy Marsh from the Eagles, Craig Stewart from the Dingos and Aaron Falcioni from the Eagles. I've been given a bath by each of those guys on numerous occasions and hope I've been able to put up a similar challenge in return.
Lets be honest and at the very least have a bit of fun here; who is the most overrated player you've met / played against in the OAFL?
Oh goodness. Maybe me, and that's not saying much. Possibly, Scott Fleming from Vancouver. Looks like a talented player for sure, but always seemed to be talked about as Canada's offensive weapon of the National squad. I think we have much better Canadian talent here in the OAFL.
I've been told to ask, but there was a rumour about a "duct tape thong"? Please explain?
Ah yes. That was part of my rookie initiation, which I was forced to wear on the way back from our end of the season trip to Chicago in 2000. You can guess where the sticky side of the tape was...oh, and those families I flashed on the interstate while in our moving minivan I'm sure were "impressed"!!!
You've obviously had a love affair with the Wildcats, describe the club of Hamilton in 140 characters or less (we know you love to tweet)?
Life long friendships, my extended family. #sogladtocallmyselfawildcat
Hashtag and all. Love it. ( you can "follow" Charles on Twitter:@cthompson13 )
Being around a league as long as you have, you would've clearly met some "characters" (aka dead set reptiles) in 13 years. Care to talk about a few?
Luke "Digits" Lombardini from our Club is an absolute legend...both on and off the oval. Didn't know what to make of him at first, but after our OAFL trip to Boston I knew he was a true Wildcat. Great guy...just don't share a bed with him on footy trips. We also had this guy play for us a few years back named Porter. He was just ridiculous (not in a good way), definitely not a fan favourite around the Club that year...we were not upset when he didn't return for a 2nd season.
Any massive OAFL secrets from the vault you'd FINALLY like to divulge?
Nope. I wait for just the right moment to unleash those gems!!! *winks*
And finally, and probably the toughest question: What is the one thing you will miss about footy and the club of Hamilton the most after you retire?
Everything. I gave my heart, soul & body to this Club and I did it because I knew that every one of the guys I've played with over the years would have done the same. There's no better feeling than suiting up each Saturday with your best mates. The competitiveness of our league during games & the comradery between clubs on the sidelines when the games are finished. I'll miss all of it.
It will definitely be an emotional day for the Wildcats extended family this weekend, as we see one of our Club champions pull on the "yellow & black" for the last time. We'd want nothing more than to bring home the 4 points for Chucky, and send him off in style!!!
C'arn the WILDCATS!!!
Last Modified on 24/08/2012 06:09