Five years since his last game for Melbourne Victory, Archie Thompson has opened up about the bitter details surrounding his A-League retirement and why he was left feeling 'dirty' about his treatment by the club.
The former Socceroo played exclusively for Victory in the A-League and made over 200 appearances for the team across an 11-year stint.
Thompson's final A-League game came in 2016 - though it wasn't the ending he was hoping for at the time.
The veteran goalscorer was desperate to play on at the age of 37 but found himself hamstrung by Victory, who made him choose between club loyalty and continuing his own playing career.
"It was the last year of my contract and what didn’t help me either was that I did my knee in an FFA Cup game right before the season started," Thompson said on the Football From A to Z podcast.
"I had to wait a little while but then when I did, I came back and felt stronger. I actually felt like I was still better than those players in my position to make an impact when needed.
"So when Kevin Muscat told me later on that, ‘Ok Archie, we’re not going to renew your contract’. It was almost a Jerry Maguire scene when he was let go - he was taken to this cafe with a lot of people around just so he doesn’t cause a scene - I felt like that was what Kevin did to me. We went to a place in Albert Park, a public place...
"They said we’re not going to sign you for next year but we are going to offer you a two-year ambassador role and the flip side of that is you can’t play for anyone else otherwise that goes away."
The ultimatum left Thompson in a tough spot and he believes plenty of other Victory players have previously been treated poorly by the club when their career on the pitch came to an end.
"So for me, I was torn, really disappointed and I was upset with the club. To be not given that opportunity to still do something that I love and still feel like I can give a lot somewhere else, that really hurt me and I was disappointed about it," he said.
"Essentially they’re telling me to retire and I knew I wasn’t ready. When that was told to me I was really disappointed, disappointed in the club, disappointed maybe in Kevin too that he couldn’t see that, being a player, and the impact I could still have.
"I didn’t want to ruin that legacy I worked really hard on. So I decided to not play on, played local football but it didn’t feel the same.
"Even in the ambassador role, it didn’t feel right for me. Being an ambassador it almost like reminded me of the reason I can’t play football anymore.
"I was dirty for a long time with the whole situation but you grow up and you start to maybe see things a little bit differently and that’s where I sit now.
"I know there are a lot of Melbourne Victory players out there, a lot of foundation players, a lot of players that have put this club where it should be and where it is today and have left this club with a bitter taste in their mouth."
Thompson considering Melbourne Victory return
While Thompson's playing career didn't end how he had hoped, he has been offered a fresh start by Melbourne Victory, who are looking to bounce back after picking up the wooden spoon last season.
"I feel like with John Didulica, he really knows football, and he’s already had a conversation with me asking me to come in because he really wants to get ex-players in that are our DNA and the reason our club is where it’s at and be a part of it again," Thompson said.
"That’s incredible. Whether I say yes or no...
"For me it’s about working with the next generation of players. I don’t want them to be the player I was in that first year of Melbourne Victory.
"I learned a lot in that period, more in that period than I probably did in my whole career. Learned about selflessness, being part of a team, about the only way you can have a success is not being an individual and to stay humble and work really hard. This is what I want to instill in every young player that has ambitions to be a footballer."
Tony Popovic's side start the new A-League Men's season on November 20 against Western United.
Every A-League Men's and Women's game will be streamed on Paramount Plus next season with free trials available for new subscribers.
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October 08, 2021 at 08:07AM
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Archie Thompson reveals ‘bitter’ Melbourne Victory ending as he considers club return - Sporting News AU
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