Thompson finally exited Victory after joining the multiple Premiership and Champions winners as one of their very first signings back in 2005.

Apart from a brief loan spell in Holland with PSV in 2006, he was with the Melbourne side from its start to his finish, notching up 224 games and a staggering 91 goals along the way.

Although now 37, in his penultimate season with Victory, he still matched his best haul of goals, finding the net 10 times in 2014/15, often from the bench.

The final whistle blew on his Victory career last season when he scored just once from 14 games, including two starts.

But in the bumper A-League season preview issue of FourFourTwo, on sale now, Thompson admits he didn't go willingly.

"The day football broke my heart was when I finished up with Melbourne Victory," he tells FourFourTwo. "I still felt like I had something to give – and you always want to finish on your terms.

"And when the opportunity is taken away from you – especially when you pour your heart and soul into something – that was tough to take..."

Thompson has since joined Heidelberg United in the NPL and says the move has rejuvenated the evergreen ex-Socceroo.

"When I joined Heidelberg, it actually felt like when I was a kid again, growing up with my junior club," he says.

"There's a real family feel to it and there's no pressure. You finish training and you have a barbeque, and I haven't had that since I was a kid."

Archie also makes a typical Archie comment about himself that might shock some – but everyone else will find hilarious!

See the full interview in the latest issue of FourFourTwo, packed with previews, profiles, interviews and analysis on every club in our bumper A-League preview special, on sale now.