Tributes paid to Jerry Thompson on first anniversary

Mr Thompson (24), who played for a number of teams across the top divisions in Northern Ireland, including Larne, Ards and Portadown, before joining Carrick Rangers, passed away on December 10 2019.

Paying a poignant tribute to Jerry on the first anniversary, Carrick manager Niall Currie said: “It’s still surreal for everyone here to be honest, we were just talking about the stories and good times we had with Jerry and just how good he was not just as a person but as a footballer too, his football was fantastic at the time. He was certainly the best wing back in the country.

“There isn’t a moment in the day that goes by where I don’t think about him and as I say this is a time where his wonderful family will be really hurting.

“We really miss him so much and we have to get back to what we talk about regularly in terms of representing Jerry on the pitch in the same manner he played the game.

“We certainly need to get back to that type of all energy performance that we’re capable of putting in and hopefully we can follow through with what he always said in terms of staying and being competitive in this league and that’s exactly what we’ll try and do for him.”

Jerry spent two seasons at Larne FC, either side of a brief spell at Donegal Celtic.

Paying tribute in a post on social media, a spokesperson for the Inver Park side said: “Today, we remember the late Jerry Thompson who sadly passed away one year ago. Always in our thoughts.”

The talented sportsman played for Portadown FC from August 2018 to May 2019.

Posting on Twitter, a spokesperson for the Shamrock Park side said: “Remembering the late Jerry Thompson on the first anniversary of his passing.”

Ards FC posted a tribute to the late north Belfast man, saying: “Today our thoughts are with the family of former Ards player Jerry Thompson, who passed away one year today.”

If you are in distress or despair, support is available from Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 or action mental health Antrim on 028 9442 8081.

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