Dave Thomas (footballer born 1950)

Dave Thomas

Personal information
Full name	David Thomas
Date of birth	5 October 1950 (1950-10-05) (age 61)
Place of birth	Kirkby-in-Ashfield, England
Playing position	left 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	Wolves	10	(0)
1981	Vancouver Whitecaps	16	(2)
1981	Middlesbrough	13	(1)
1982–1984	Portsmouth	30	(0)
National team
1974–1975	England	8	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Dave Thomas, born October 5, 1950 in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, England is a former professional footballer and England international who played as a midfielder. An extremely skillful and fast player, for much of his career his trademark was playing without shin pads; something that would never be tolerated in today's game due to the change of the laws of the game.

He made his senior debut in Burnley 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 October 30, 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.

He worked as a PE teacher at the Bishop Luffa School in Chichester, but has now retired.

References

1. ^ [1]

References

• England profile

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

Persondata
Name	Thomas, Dave
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 5, 1950
Place of birth	Kirkby-in-Ashfield, England
Date of death
Place of death