Highs and lows of Thompson’s reign at Tannadice

Stephen Thompson was an integral part of the new Dundee United boardroom team when his father Eddie Thompson took charge in September 2002.

Initially taking on the role of chief executive, he became chairman in October 2008 following the death of his dad.

The Tangerines’ greatest achievement of his time in charge came in May 2010, when they beat Ross County 3-0 in the final at Hampden to lift their second Scottish Cup.

They were also runners-up to St Johnstone in that tournament in 2014, while they reached the League Cup final in 2015, losing to Celtic.

Under the management of Peter Houston, United also played in the Europa League in seasons 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2013-14. They finished in the top six of the Premiership for seven consecutive seasons.

Thompson was also voted on to the SPL/SPFL board as a director for six seasons before resigning in 2016.

The last few years have been extremely difficult for United, however.

As chairman, Thompson has also overseen some real lows.

Many would see the start of the troubles for Thompson and United as the sale of players Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic at the end of the January transfer window in 2015.

There were also subsequent revelations about then manager Jackie McNamara having a clause in his contract that gave him a cut of transfer fees.

McNamara was sacked by Thompson

in September 2015 and he has been followed in the dugout by Mixu Paatelainen, Ray McKinnon and, current incumbent, Csaba Laszlo.

United were relegated to the Championship at the end of season 2015-16, suffering the humiliation of the Doon Derby defeat from city rivals Dundee at Dens Park.

They have struggled to get back up since, missing out in the final of the promotion play-off to Hamilton in May and now languish in fourth spot in the table.

Stephen Thompson: took over in 2008.