| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 January 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Dandenong Thunder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| -1997 | Blackburn Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1997–2002 | Blackburn Rovers | 4 | (1) |
| 1997 | → West Bromwich Albion (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2000 | → Blackpool (loan) | 9 | (2) |
| 2000–2001 | → Sheffield United (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| 2002 | → Bristol Rovers | 7 | (1) |
| 2002–2006 | Swansea City | 57 | (16) |
| 2006–2008 | Llanelli | 8 | (0) |
| 2009 | Dandenong Thunder | 9 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 August 2007. † Appearances (Goals). |
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James Thomas (born 16 January 1979 in Swansea) is a Welsh former professional footballer who last played for Dandenong Thunder in the Victorian Premier League which is one tier below Australia's national competition. He represented Wales at Under-21 level.
Thomas began his career as a trainee with Blackburn Rovers, turning professional in August 1997. He struggled to establish himself at Ewood Park and was loaned to a number of clubs before being released at the end of the 2001–02 season. In May 2002 he joined Swansea City and quickly established himself in the first team. He is fondly remembered for the hat-trick he scored in a 4–2 victory over Hull on the last day of the 2002–03 season to save his hometown club from relegation to the Football Conference.[1] With Swansea he became Wales' most capped player at Under-21 level and was called up to the full squad for the match away to Azerbaijan in November 2002, but did not get to play.
He later suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the game for two years. He joined Llanelli in August 2006.[2] After a short time playing in Australia, he returned to Wales where he now works as an ambulance driver.[3]