Eddie Thomson, the former Hearts and Aberdeen defender who went on to a successful career as manager of the Australian national side, has died of cancer at the age of 55.

Born on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Thomson joined Hearts from Penicuik Athletic and soon went on to establish himself as a firm favourite with the Tynecastle faithful. The one-time Hearts captain played 213 games in seven seasons at the club and won three under-23 caps before being sold to Aberdeen for (pounds) 60,000.

''Back in those days, Hearts didn't have much money and the only player they could sell at that time was me, so off I went,'' he once said.

An uncompromising tackler (''I used to kick people a lot as a player''), Thomson became equally popular with the home support at Pittodrie where he played for five years.

In 1976 he moved to the United States where he played for one year with San Antonio Thunder in the North American Soccer League, before heading for Australia. He joined Hakoah Eastern Suburbs and served them as player, player-coach, and then full-time coach in a spell which spanned seven years from 1980 to 1986 with the club. Hakoah changed their name to Sydney City and under Thomson's guiding hand, won every National League honour.

The amiable Scot's enthusiasm and skill won him the Australian Coach of the Year crown in 1981, 1984, and 1985 - the only triple winner in

25 years.

When Sydney City folded in 1987, he switched to Sydney Olympic for three years, taking them to the league grand final and the final of the NSL Cup.

His success at club level led to his appointment as Australian national director of coaching for a year before taking on the role of assistant national coach to Socceroo boss Frank Arok. When the team failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Italy, Thomson replaced Arok as coach of the national side.

Although Thomson, too, was unable to manage a team through qualifying, despite coming close, he did have more success at the Olympics, taking the Australians to the quarter finals in Barcelona.

Eddie Thomson had few difficulties fitting into the lifestyle of being an Australian.

He enjoyed a beer, was interested in all sports, not just football, and was often seen at major sporting fixtures.

In fact, the Socceroos with Thomson in charge became pin-up cheerleaders at the Seoul Olympics where they would turn out as a group and cheer on the Aussies in other sports, earning the respect and affection of other Olympians.

Well respected as a coach, he had both the SFA and FIFA qualifications, his quick wit and sense of humour could often resolve tricky situations with ''prima donna'' players, but his firmness and authority were never in doubt. He was instrumental in nutruring the burgeoning talents of future international stars such as Mark Viduka. After six years in charge of the Australian side he moved to the Japanese J-League where he managed Sanfrecce Hiroshima. It was during his four year spell there that he was diagnosed with cancer.

''I just went for a normal blood check and surprise, surprise, they found out I had lymphoma,'' he said. ''I was completely floored because I'd never felt better in my life,'' he said.

In his usual combative style, Thomson was determined to fight the disease, heartened by the encouragement and support of his many friends back home, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Alex McLeish.

Following treatment his cancer went into remission, but returned some months ago.

Thomson is survived by his wife, Pauline, son, Steven, and daughter, Claire.

Eddie Thomson, footballer and coach; born February 25, 1947, died February 21, 2003.