Following weeks of rumours since his departure from his beloved Melbourne Victory two months ago, and after training at Olympic Village with Heidelberg the last few weeks, Heidelberg finally unveiled its star signing Archie Thompson at a media conference last Monday, with Thompson set to make his Heidelberg debut in this Sunday’s Greek derby when Bergers hosts Oakleigh Cannons.
Thompson scored 96 goals in 254 matches for Victory and said of his ambitions with Heidelberg: “I just want to contribute. I haven’t played a competitive game in two months. Hopefully we can really give this league a shake, especially in the finals.
“A big reason for me coming here is because the club is like a big family, and I want to be part of a football family. I’ve had a few calls to go back and do something with A-League teams. I want to be known as a one- club man. Whenever you think of Victory, you always think of Archie Thompson. That’s the legacy. I don’t want to spoil that. At the moment there are a lot of options, but I’m happy I’m here with a good group of people.”
“It’s one of the biggest moves in its (the club’s) history,” Heidelberg United senior coach George Katsakis said of the signing. “It’s quite significant for the club and everyone involved. I think it’s added a lot of value to what we’re trying to do here at the club.
“In Australian football, you would say that Archie’s among the elite that have ever played the game in this country. We’re honoured to have him down here. It’s a privilege.”
With just two games remaining in the home and away season, and at least one finals appearance, Heidelberg fans can look forward to seeing Thompson in three games for the club, although of course they’re hoping he can play in at least a couple more and see the team all the way to a title win. The last match of the home and away season will see him turn out against his old club’s youth side, Melbourne Victory, as it plays its last match before being relegated to NPL 2.