Gisborne football is blessed with numerous father-son combos, either in the same team or opposing one another.
The difference here is that Grant Thomson had both hips replaced by titanium substitutes over 20 years ago . . . he was 35. For most of the time since then he has been shuffling around local football fields, showing the skill that made him an early crowd favourite and the defensive nous that served him well at the top level of domestic club football.
Lately, though, the combination of advancing age — Grant turns 57 on Tuesday — and occasional hip discomfort have made him think about hanging up his boots.
Cory was not a fan of the idea.
“I kept hassling him to keep playing until I could play alongside him,” he said.
Then last week, Thistle Vintage coach David Raggett thought he would be short of players for the match against Campion College at Childers Road Reserve.
Grant Thomson plays for Draggnett Thistle Vintage, a team of predominantly older footballers, most of whom have played at a level that required travel outside Gisborne.
So when Raggett asked Cory if he wanted to play, the answer was “OK”, and the paperwork was done.
First he had to play his College Super League (under-16) game for Ray White Wainui Sharks against Columbus Cafe United at Nelson Park on Saturday morning . . . 35 minutes each way starting at 8.15. He scored two goals and was subbed two minutes from the end of a 3-0 win.
Then he was at Childers Road Reserve for his first ever senior game. Kick-off was at 12.30pm on the No.1 ground, and he and his father started the game together . . . the realisation of something Cory had been hassling him about “for two or three years”.
It got even better when Cory scored the first goal of the game, coming in at the far post and leaping to head in a right-wing cross.
He added another, drifting inside from his left-flank position and making a near-post run, taking a touch and scoring with a left-footed finish.
Father and son had two shifts each, coming off after about 30 minutes and going on again for about the last half hour.
“It was very enjoyable,” Cory said.
“Just being able to play alongside a lot of skilful players, and Dad being one of them . . . it was very different from playing with guys my own age.
“I sort of knew the players, though. I’ve been going along to Thistle training on Thursday nights this year. It’s definitely helped my game.”
Cory’s day was not over yet. While he was waiting to go back on the field for Vintage, Thistle Reserves’ Reece Brew came looking for substitutes for the Eastern League 1 game against clubmates Thistle Massive, and suggested it would be good for Cory to get a feel for the atmosphere of the development side.
With Vintage well on the way to a 7-1 win against Campion, Cory came off early to get ready for his next match, also on the No.1 ground. He and his father had been on the field together a total of around 60 minutes.
Thistle Reserves had a tough outing against Massive, losing 4-0, but Cory Thomson had the satisfaction of making his second debut of the day. For the last 25 minutes, he played on the right flank in his first Eastern League Division 1 appearance.
After three games, his legs were “a bit sore” .
“The next day I basically did nothing.”
Year 10 student Cory is also in the Gisborne Boys’ High School Junior A team coached by Dave Watson with help from Marty Ryan. They play every Wednesday afternoon against other high school teams. Next week they will compete in the Super 8 junior football tournament in Palmerston North from Wednesday to Friday.
Football plays a big part in Cory’s life; has done ever since Grant took him along to Watson Park aged five or six — with little-size-10 Adidas boots “because Dad loved Adidas” — to play for Mangapapa School.
Cory has thought about taking his football as far as he can. He wants to find out whether that’s achievable.
How will he do that?
By training a lot, and playing a lot, he says.
His favourite position?
Wing, centre midfield, striker. Anywhere but at the back.
And will he be OK with his father retiring now that they’ve played together?
Maybe after one more year.
Grant Thomson said Saturday was perfectly set up for Cory . . .
the chance for father and son to play in the same side, two games on the No.1 pitch, and the first division match between two Thistle teams.
“I have hardly played this year,” Grant said.
“But I definitely wanted to play that one.”
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