James Thomas (footballer)

James Thomas (born 16 January 1979) is a Welsh former professional footballer who last played for Dandenong Thunder in the Victorian Premier League which is one tier below Australia's national competition. He represented Wales at Under-21 level.

James Thomas
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-01-16) 16 January 1979
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Playing position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1997 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 Blackburn Rovers 4 (1)
1997 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) 3 (0)
2000 → Blackpool (loan) 9 (2)
2000–2001 → Sheffield United (loan) 10 (1)
2002 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 7 (1)
2002–2006 Swansea City 57 (16)
2006–2008 Llanelli 8 (0)
Total 107 (21)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Thomas began his career as a trainee with Blackburn Rovers, turning professional in August 1997. He struggled to establish himself at Ewood Park and was loaned to a number of clubs before being released at the end of the 2001–02 season. A highlight of his loan spells was when he scored the winning goal for Sheffield United against Preston North End, helping them win 3-2 when they had at one stage trailed 2-0.[1] Another loan spell at Bristol Rovers yielded one goal against Rochdale.[2] He scored three goals during his time at Blackburn; once in the league against Bolton Wanderers[3] and twice in a League Cup tie against Portsmouth.[4]

In May 2002 he joined Swansea City and quickly established himself in the first team. He is fondly remembered for the hat-trick he scored in a 4–2 victory over Hull on the last day of the 2002–03 season to save his hometown club from relegation to the Football Conference.[5] With Swansea he became Wales' most capped player at Under-21 level and was called up to the full squad for the match away to Azerbaijan in November 2002, but did not get to play.

Thomas later suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the game for two years. He joined Llanelli in August 2006.[6] After a short time playing in Australia, he returned to Wales where he now works as an ambulance driver.[7]

References
  1. "Sheffield United 3-2 Preston". BBC. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. "Rochdale 2-1 Bristol Rovs". BBC. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  3. "Blackburn 1-1 Bolton". BBC. 23 September 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  4. "Blackburn 4-0 Portsmouth". BBC. 19 September 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  5. Swansea 4 – 2 Hull
  6. Thomas ends two-year injury jinx
  7. BBC News (29 May 2011). "Swansea City's Allen and Thomas up for pressure game". Retrieved 29 May 2011.
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