Keith J Thompson‌

Profile

Biography

I was born in (Jesmond), Newcastle upon Tyne.

I had a very happy childhood in Newcastle upon Tyne, Wetherby, Lincolnshire & Harrogate with my parents & younger sister Helen.

I played for Bradford City Bantams FC & I trailed for Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town, Leeds United & Nottingham Forest & nearly signed for Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.

I also played for Yorkshire Colts u16s through to u18s cricket team under the guidance of Peter Kippax (England & Yorkshire off spin & leg spin bowler).

I attended Royal Navy training at RAF Biggin Hill & declined their offer of a 15-year commission in the Fleet Air Arm.

I started working life with two jobs – one in the Leeds Road Post Office behind the counter part time & one full time job at Hill Cannon Partnership Consulting Engineers Ltd.

I trained to be a young Civil Engineer passing my ONC (1988) & HNC in Civil Engineering (1990).

I have had bipolar disorder for 36 years and in that time has had twelve manic episodes & two episodes of depression which meant hospitalisation. Nonetheless I have run my own business for 41 years successfully during this time & I currently contract to three Universities, (Newcastle University, Sheffield University & the University of York). I also work for a Mental Health charity, (McPin) the largest Mental Health Trust in England (TEWV) & the largest tutorial charity in the UK (WEA).

My interests include all sports especially Newcastle United FC & Knaresborough Celtic JFC (where I am the kit manager, joint secretary & senior committee member) / computers / reading / coffee shops / restaurants / cinema / walking & listening to music.

I have been an active member of the group since 2009 & I was elected as Chairman of the group in 2022.