Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson gets 1984 Grand Final guernsey back
MARK Thompson’s 1984 premiership jumper has been returned by the stepbrother of Michael Lawson, who was dying when ‘Bomber’ generously gave it to him.
Essendon
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BOMBER Thompson has his 1984 Essendon premiership jumper back.
In emotional scenes on AFL360 on Wednesday night, Thompson and Mark Hardy, the stepbrother of Michael Lawson who was given the jumper by Thompson nearly 30 years ago, spoke about returning of the jumper.
READ ALL ABOUT THE AMAZING STORY HERE
Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson revealed the amazing story of Thompson’s generosity in giving dying fan Michael his premiership jumper in his hours of need.
Lawson was a mad Essendon supporter and Thompson always believed his jumper was buried with him.
But that wasn’t the case.
“I haven’t seen it for a long, long time,” Thompson said. “It’s quite amazing.
“It was probably a strange thing to do looking at it now when memorabilia is quite special and it’s kept. But at the time I felt any way I could help that young man and put a smile on his face and I think it did.
“To get it back after its been lent out for thirty-odd years makes it a little more special.”
WATCH AS AN EMOTIONAL MARK THOMPSON TALKS ABOUT GETTING HIS 1984 GRAND FINAL JUMPER BACK IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
Hardy was joined by Lawson’s sister Justine in giving back Thompson’s jumper.
“He brought my brother happiness at a time when there was no happiness in his life and it made him happy and smile,” Hardy said. “It was a very nice, moving thing to do and to get nothing in return.
“It is difficult (to give it back) but Mark earned it, he played for it, he won it (the Grand Final) ... it’s not mine to have. It’s something that would mean a lot more to Bomber than it would ever mean to me or my dad or my sister.
“It was Michael’s and made him happy in a time of need, when he needed it and I just wanted to repay the favour.
“Wherever you take that jumper my brother will be with you and hopefully he can guide you and make you smile again.”
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