Dominic Thomas Explained

Dominic Thomas
Fullname:Dominic William Thomas[1]
Birth Date:23 November 1995
Birth Place:London, England
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2002–2012
Youthclubs1:Charlton Athletic
Youthyears2:2012–2014
Youthclubs2:Bristol Rovers
Years1:2014–2017
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Club-Update:28 July 2017

Dominic William Thomas (born 23 November 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. He was forced to retire from professional football due to injury after spending 5 years at League One side Bristol Rovers.[2] Born in London, Thomas started his career at Charlton Athletic before signing a scholarship at Bristol Rovers.Thomas won the league and cup double for the Under-18s during the 2012-13 campaign. He then went on to sign his first professional contract in 2014 with Bristol Rovers at the age of 18.

Career

Charlton Athletic

Thomas joined Charlton Athletic at 7 years old, where he then signed for their academy at the age of 9. He played there for 7 years until he was released at the age of 16 years. He then signed for Bristol Rovers.

Bristol Rovers

Thomas signed a scholarship at Bristol Rovers at the age of 16. In his first year as a scholar, he won the league and cup double for the Under-18s during the 2012-13 campaign. During this campaign, there was speculation that Thomas could be on his way to Liverpool Football Club. He captained the U-18s in his second year scholar & after a strong campaign was promoted to the Bristol Rovers first team before the end of the season.

On 21 April, Darrell Clarke named Thomas on the bench for the first team against Rochdale but was an unused substitute.[3] Rovers lost the game 2–1, which contributed towards their eventual relegation from the Football League - the first time since their acceptance in 1920. On 3 May, Thomas was again named on the bench for the first team for the ultimate game of the season at home to Mansfield Town, where he was an unused substitute. Rovers lost 0-1 confirming their relegation from the Football League.[4]

In July 2014, Thomas signed his first professional contract with Bristol Rovers.

In October 2014, Thomas made his professional debut in the FA Cup against Dorchester Town where he replaced Lee Mansell in the 84th minute. Bristol Rovers won the game 7–1. Later that season, Thomas was part of the squad who were successful in the play off final at Wembley Stadium, promoting Rovers back into the Football League 2 at the first time of asking.

In August 2015, Thomas joined Paulton Rovers on loan.[5] Just a month later, on 26 September 2015, Thomas suffered a serious knee injury which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.[6] He then spent the full 2016/17 season on the sidelines while recovering from the injury.[7] In the 2015/16 season, Bristol Rovers would finish third in League Two, earning them back-to-back promotions and a place in League One

On 26 July 2017, Thomas returned to the Bristol Rovers first team squad for the first time in 22 months in a pre-season friendly against Bath City after suffering a career threatening injury.[8]

Retirement

Thomas announced his retirement from professional football on 1 October 2017 via his Twitter account due to not being able to overcome his knee/leg injury sustained in September 2015. He thanked his club doctor Tim Jenkins and surgeon Jonathan Webb for helping him throughout the injury.[9]

Personal life

He is the brother of Yeovil Town player Jordan Thomas.

Career statistics

[10]

ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOther[11] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol Rovers2013–140000000000
2014–150010--0010
2015–160000000000
2016–170000000000
Career total0010000010

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retained List 2015-16. English Football League. 26 June 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161202052144/http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf. 2 December 2016. dmy-all.
  2. News: Bristol Rovers F.C. Player Profiles: Dominic Thomas. Bristol Rovers F.C.. 1 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083443/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/team/player-profile/dominic-thomas/18. 6 October 2014. dead.
  3. News: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Rochdale. BBC Sport. 21 April 2014. 1 September 2014.
  4. News: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Mansfield. BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Caroline Chapman. 1 September 2014.
  5. Web site: DOMINIC THOMAS JOINS PAULTON ON LOAN - News - Bristol Rovers.
  6. Web site: Rovers knocked out of FA Cup as injury woes continue – PAULTON ROVERS 0 CHESHAM UNITED 2 The Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal.
  7. Web site: Keith Brookman on Twitter: "@perrygasss @Official_BRFC @dominicwthomas he's just coming back after a long spell on the sidelines through an injury sustained at Paulton" / Twitter.
  8. Web site: Rovers Defeated at Twerton Park.
  9. Web site: Twitter.
  10. News: Dominic Thomas. Soccer Base. 1 July 2014.
  11. Includes appearances in the FA Trophy.