14 Facts About Duncan Thompson

Duncan Fulton Thompson MBE was an Australian veteran of both World War I and World War II and a rugby league footballer, coach and administrator.

Duncan Thompson was wounded on active service in World War I and has been named amongst the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century, and is regarded as the father of modern coaching.

Duncan Thompson commenced his club career in the Queensland town of Ipswich, and first represented for Queensland in 1915.

Duncan Thompson was told he would not play sport again and carried a bullet fragment in his body for the rest of his life.

Duncan Thompson made the 1919 tour of New Zealand in the first Australian full Test representative side to cross the Tasman.

Duncan Thompson took Norths to victory in the 1922 NSWRFL season's premiership final, captaining the side.

Duncan Thompson served again for his country in the AIF in World War II as an amenities officer at Townsville and in Papua New Guinea.

Duncan Thompson served as an administrator for the Queensland Rugby League and coached the Toowoomba Clydesdales to six victories in the Bulimba Cup in the 1950s.

Duncan Thompson was a state and national selector in the 1950s and 1960s.

Duncan Thompson was an accomplished cricketer, fine golfer and lawn bowler.

In 1929 the Duncan Thompson Stand at the North Sydney Oval was named after him as well as the main grandstand at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.

In 1960 Duncan Thompson was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to sport.

In February 2008, Duncan Thompson was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.

In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Duncan Thompson was named as half-back and coach of the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.