Dave Thomas (footballer, born 1950)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | David Thomas | ||
| Date of birth | 5 October 1950 | ||
| Place of birth | Kirkby-in-Ashfield, England | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1966–1972 | Burnley | 157 | (19) |
| 1972–1977 | Queens Park Rangers | 182 | (27) |
| 1977–1979 | Everton | 71 | (4) |
| 1979–1980 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10 | (0) |
| 1981 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 16 | (2) |
| 1981 | Middlesbrough | 13 | (1) |
| 1982–1984 | Portsmouth | 30 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 1974–1975 | England | 8 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Dave Thomas (born 5 October 1950) is a former professional footballer and England international who played as a midfielder. An extremely skilful and fast player, for much of his career his trademark was playing without shin pads; something that would be contrary to the rules game today.
He made his senior debut in Burnley's 8-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the 1966/67 season.
He had a long and successful playing career, playing for almost 20 years and totalling over 450 league appearances whilst playing for Burnley, QPR, Everton, Vancouver Whitecaps, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He won 8 England caps overall whilst at Queens Park Rangers. His first England cap was given to him by manager Don Revie on 30 October 1974 in a 3–0 win against Czechoslovakia. He set up the first goal in the game. In 1981, he played a single summer season with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the North American Soccer League.[1]
Thomas's most successful season was undoubtedly 1975–76 while playing for QPR. QPR led the First Division for much of the season, narrowly missing out by one point to Liverpool after the final game of the season. Thomas was a pivotal figure in the team, providing Stan Bowles, Gerry Francis and others with outstanding service from the wing. Following his transfer to Everton, Thomas continued to enjoy success in the 1977–78 season while playing for Everton. Everton's top marksman Bob Latchford scored 30 goals in the league that season, Thomas providing more of his goals than anybody else with some more accurate crosses. His transfer in October 1972 from Burnley to QPR was then a record fee for a Second Division Club: £165,000.
References
- Sources
External links
- The Hall of Fame Number 44 – Dave Thomas
- Sporting Heroes site
- Blast from the Past Official QPR site interview Jan 2008
- The Unofficial QPR Hall of Fame
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Use dmy dates from March 2013
- English footballers
- 1950 births
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
- Everton F.C. players
- Burnley F.C. players
- Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
- North American Soccer League (1968–84) players
- Vancouver Whitecaps (1974–84) players
- Middlesbrough F.C. players
- Portsmouth F.C. players
- England international footballers
- England under-23 international footballers
- People from Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Living people
- Association football midfielders