Peter Thomas (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Peter Thomas was a football goalkeeper
who played in England, Ireland and the United States. He also earned two caps with the Republic of Ireland
.
. He went on loan to Waterford F.C. in 1967 where he made thirteen appearances. Coventry City transferred him to Waterford in the summer of 1967 and he stayed with the Blues until 1975. Thomas is associated with bringing a new style of goalkeeping to the League of Ireland. He rarely kicked the ball on the offensive, throwing when possible with great accuracy. He also represented the League of Ireland
and won five league medals and a FAI Cup
medal and played in 12 European Cup matches for Waterford. It is not an exaggeration to say that Peter Thomas is a living legend in League of Ireland history and an almost mythical figure in Waterford football fans' memories http://archives.tcm.ie/waterfordnews/2001/11/09/story7623.asp.
In 1975, he moved to the United States where he played for the Washington Diplomats
of the North American Soccer League
. In 1976, he moved to the Utah Golden Spikers
of the second division American Soccer League
. He returned to the NASL in 1977 with the Las Vegas Quicksilvers. The Diplomats had traded the rights to Thomas and Gerry Ingram
to the Quicksilver in exchange for Peter Silvester
in November 1976. He finished his North American career with the Sacramento Gold
of the ASL in 1978. In the fall of 1978, he returned to Ireland where he rejoined Waterford F.C.
after becoming an Irish citizen. He made his debut in 1973 against Poland
, keeping a clean sheet but having to come off at half time due to a pulled muscle in his stomach. His second cap came against Brazil
in 1974. He was back down in the ASL in 1975, this time with the Sacramento Gold
.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played in England, Ireland and the United States. He also earned two caps with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
Professional
In 1962, Thomas joined Coventry G.E.C., playing with them until 1966. That year, he played one game for Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
. He went on loan to Waterford F.C. in 1967 where he made thirteen appearances. Coventry City transferred him to Waterford in the summer of 1967 and he stayed with the Blues until 1975. Thomas is associated with bringing a new style of goalkeeping to the League of Ireland. He rarely kicked the ball on the offensive, throwing when possible with great accuracy. He also represented the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and won five league medals and a FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
medal and played in 12 European Cup matches for Waterford. It is not an exaggeration to say that Peter Thomas is a living legend in League of Ireland history and an almost mythical figure in Waterford football fans' memories http://archives.tcm.ie/waterfordnews/2001/11/09/story7623.asp.
In 1975, he moved to the United States where he played for the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. In 1976, he moved to the Utah Golden Spikers
Utah Golden Spikers
The Utah Pioneers was an American soccer club based in Salt Lake City, Utah that was a member of the American Soccer League.The team was renamed the Utah Golden Spikers halfway through their only season.-Year-by-year:...
of the second division American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He returned to the NASL in 1977 with the Las Vegas Quicksilvers. The Diplomats had traded the rights to Thomas and Gerry Ingram
Gerry Ingram
Gerald "Gerry" Ingram is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in both England and the United States between 1966 and 1980, Ingram made nearly 500 professional league career appearances, scoring nearly 200 goals.-Career:Born in Beverley, Ingram began his career...
to the Quicksilver in exchange for Peter Silvester
Peter Silvester
Peter Silvester was an American politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York...
in November 1976. He finished his North American career with the Sacramento Gold
Sacramento Gold
The Sacramento Gold was an American soccer club based in Sacramento, California that was a member of the American Soccer League.Prior to the 1977 season the team was known as the Sacramento Spirits....
of the ASL in 1978. In the fall of 1978, he returned to Ireland where he rejoined Waterford F.C.
National team
Born in England, Thomas earned two caps with the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
after becoming an Irish citizen. He made his debut in 1973 against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, keeping a clean sheet but having to come off at half time due to a pulled muscle in his stomach. His second cap came against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in 1974. He was back down in the ASL in 1975, this time with the Sacramento Gold
Sacramento Gold
The Sacramento Gold was an American soccer club based in Sacramento, California that was a member of the American Soccer League.Prior to the 1977 season the team was known as the Sacramento Spirits....
.
Manager
He took over as manager of Waterford United F.C. in August 1988 but resigned in December due to work pressures http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/1220/Pg003.html#Ar00307:6437C46747D96F98107298256417726B97A46897C46CB7D965182C68284164D8E46838F9.Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 5- Waterford United 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
:- Waterford United 1980
- SWAI Personality of the Year
- Waterford United - 1969/70