Charlie Thomson, a goalkeeper from Scotland, joined Exeter City just before the declaration of war in 1939. Playing all three games in the short-lived 1939/40 season, he briefly reappeared for the club in 1945/46. His son 'Chic' Thomson was also a goalkeeper. 

Charlie started his career at Alloa before joining Falkirk where he stayed for four years and acted as an unused reserve for Scotland against France in 1932. Moving to Brighton and Hove Albion in 1934, he enjoyed 169 league outings over the following five years before signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1939. 

With the Grecians having paid a fee for Charlie, it was little surprise when he started the 1939/40 campaign against Torquay United before retaining his place for the Northampton Town and Port Vale games. But, with war being declared, the season was suspended and Charlie returned to Scotland to appear for Dundee United for whom he was on the losing side in the Scottish War Emergency Cup final against Rangers.

Still registered with the Grecians, Charlie subsequently re-appeared for Exeter City in 1945/46 when he made six appearances in Division Three South (South of the Thames) starting with the 1-0 home win against Bristol City in December 1945 whilst appearing in all four of the two-legged FA Cup ties against Trowbridge Town and Newport County in November and December 1945. 

[His son Charlie 'Chic' Thomson played in goal for Clyde, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest between 1949 and 1961.]