Mitchell Thomas Explained

Mitchell Thomas
Fullname:Mitchell Antony Thomas
Birth Date:1964 10, df=y
Birth Place:Luton, England
Height:6 ft 0 in[1]
Position:Defender
Years1:1982–1986
Years2:1986–1991
Years3:1991–1994
Years4:1994–1999
Years5:1999–2002
Clubs1:Luton Town
Clubs2:Tottenham Hotspur
Clubs3:West Ham United
Clubs4:Luton Town
Clubs5:Burnley
Caps1:107
Goals1:1
Caps2:157
Goals2:6
Caps3:38
Goals3:3
Caps4:186
Goals4:5
Caps5:99
Goals5:0
Totalcaps:587
Totalgoals:15
Nationalyears1:1985–1986
Nationalteam1:England U21
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0

Mitchell Thomas (born 2 October 1964) is an English former footballer who played as a defender. While at Tottenham Hotspur he started in the 1987 FA Cup Final.

Playing career

David Pleat brought Thomas into the Luton Town side from Limbury boys club in 1982.In 1985/86 Thomas played three games for England U21s in the European U21 championships. He played in a qualifier and one leg each of the quarter and semi finals, with two of his Luton Town colleagues Tim Breacker and Mike Newell.[2] [3] He was sold to Tottenham in July 1986 for a fee of £275,000, following the same movement of manager David Pleat. After his spell at Tottenham during which he played in the 1987 FA Cup Final, Thomas moved to West Ham Utd in August 1991 for £500,000 joining former Luton teammate Tim Breacker.

On transfer deadline day in March 1994, he returned to Luton Town on a free transfer,[4] and he stayed there until the club went into receivership over the summer of 1999 and were forced to sell many players. Stan Ternent signed Thomas, for Burnley, for the start of the 1999-2000 season, which they ended by winning promotion. He remained at Turf Moor until retiring as a player in 2002.

Since Retirement

Since retirement from playing, Thomas has played a part in the transfer of several players. His role was controversial resulting in investigations into the transfers of Jermain Defoe to Tottenham Hotspur[5] and Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea.[6] [7] Thomas was also embroiled in a controversy of this type when he was transferred to Tottenham.[8]

External sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 . Peter . Dunk . Queen Anne Press . London . 1987 . 368 . 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. Web site: England U21 results to 1985 . .
  3. Web site: England U21 results from 1986 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20100125164210/http://rsssf.com/tablese/eng-u21-intres86.html . 25 January 2010.
  4. News: Haylett . Trevor . 25 March 1994 . Football: Peacock goes but Francis stays: Mixed day at Queen's Park Rangers while Limpar joins Everton and Beagrie hops to City . The Independent . London .
  5. News: 8 January 2009 . Legal wrangle looms for Jermain Defoe over mother's role in Spurs move . The Guardian.
  6. News: Conn . David . 9 March 2010 . Shaun Wright-Phillips and Chelsea face questions over unlicensed agent . The Guardian . London . 12 May 2010.
  7. News: Conn . David . 10 March 2010 . Wright-Phillips deal offers Quest chance of belated success . The Guardian . London . 12 May 2010.
  8. News: 6 June 1994 . More strife for Spurs . The Independent . London . 12 May 2010.