Thompson: Swift Half Cost Me A Week's Wages

Burnley's Steven Thompson has revealed how he lost a week's wages after he took time out for a quick half pint... during a game.

The former Cardiff City and Rangers front man was playing in the Premiership newcomers' pre-season tour of America when he clattered into a pitchside beer garden at PGE Park, Portland.

Thompson, who scored 12 goals in 25 league appearances for the Clarets last season, was on hand to score the second goal for the Turf Moor side in their 2-2 draw with Portland Timbers. After chasing a stray ball, the Scot failed to slow himself down and went tumbling over a banner and ended up next to an unsuspecting fan watching the game.

“I kind of fell over the billboards at the side of the pitch and there was a cafe right on the side,” said the 30-year-old.

“I landed on this person’s table and I don’t know what happened, I just instinctively grabbed this guy’s pint and had a drink.

“It shows you how bad a game it was that it got the biggest cheer of the night.

"It was just a bit of fun and it went down well, it was a bit of light-hearted banter, and the guy was really decent about it. He was laughing."

Owen Coyle fined the forward a week's wages for unprofessional behaviour but Thompson revealed that even the manager saw the funny side of it.

“The manager did say I was fined a week’s wages though for being the first player he’s ever seen drinking during a match," he added.

“I think that will be a first and last and one and only!”

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