Jerome Thomas

This article is about the English footballer. For the French boxer, see Jérôme Thomas.
Jerome Thomas
Personal information
Full nameJerome William Thomas
Date of birth23 March 1983[1]
Place of birthWembley, England
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing positionWinger/Striker
Club information
Current team
Crystal Palace
Number14
Youth career
Luton Town
?–2001Arsenal
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2001–2004Arsenal0(0)
2002→ Queens Park Rangers (loan)4(1)
2002→ Queens Park Rangers (loan)6(2)
2004–2008Charlton Athletic103(7)
2008→ Portsmouth (loan)1(0)
2008–2009Portsmouth2(0)
2009–2013West Bromwich Albion99(11)
2012–2013→ Leeds United (loan)6(1)
2013–Crystal Palace10(0)
National team‡
2001–2002England U194(1)
2002–2003England U212(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:42, 2 January 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 November 2009

Jerome William Thomas[1] (born 23 March 1983) is an English footballer who plays for Crystal Palace predominantly as a left winger, but can also operate centrally. He has made more than 200 appearances in the Premier League and Football League, playing for Leeds United, Queens Park Rangers, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion, as well as Palace.

He has also represented England at England U19 and England U21 level.

Club career

Arsenal

Born in Wembley, England, Thomas played for Luton Town as a schoolboy, before joining Arsenal.[3] Despite winning the FA Youth Cup twice, in 2000 and 2001, he found it difficult to break into the first team due to the consistency of Robert Pirès and Fredrik Ljungberg.[3] He was soon loaned out to Queens Park Rangers in the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons.[4] He performed well at QPR – scoring a couple of long distance goals – and made his last appearance on 29 October 2002 in an away draw with Wigan Athletic.[5][6][7] However, upon his return to Highbury his fortunes were little better, making just three appearances in the 2003–04 season – all in the League Cup.[4] After the Gunners signed José Antonio Reyes on 28 January 2004, following an alleged row with club legend Thierry Henry, Thomas turned down a new one-year contract with Arsenal and decided it was best to pursue a career elsewhere.[8][9]

Charlton Athletic

Thomas was signed for £1 on the same day that saw Scott Parker leave Charlton for £10,000,000. Thomas appeared in both of Charlton's first two games of the 2008–09 season,[4][10] He spent 6 seasons at Charlton and was a regular under Alan Curbishley and Alan Pardew.

Portsmouth

On 15 August 2008 he joined Premier League club (and FA Cup holders) Portsmouth on a season-long loan.[11] He made his league debut for Portsmouth just two days later in a 4–0 away defeat to Chelsea,[12] and on 21 August he signed a one-year contract with Portsmouth to make his loan deal permanent after only six days.[13] Charlton were to be paid a "small fee" should he play a certain number of matches during the 2008–09 season.[13] However, in late August he suffered a stress fracture of the spine and was sidelined for about a month, eventually making his comeback in a reserve team win over Tottenham Hotspur on 6 October.[14][15] He completed his return to full fitness in a win over Aston Villa reserves on 20 October, when he won a penalty and scored a solo goal.[16]

Thomas did not return to Portsmouth's first team however until the final game of the season (a 1–0 defeat at Wigan). On 1 July 2009 he was released by Portsmouth, having made only three first team appearances (including one during his initial loan spell).

During the summer of 2009 he had trials with two Premier League teams, Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.[17][18] He scored for Hull in a 6–0 victory over North Ferriby United,[19] but was not offered a contract by either Hull or Wolves.

West Bromwich Albion

On 13 August 2009, Thomas signed for Championship team West Bromwich Albion as a free agent.[20] He made his league debut for West Brom five days later, as a substitute in a 3–2 win at Peterborough United, and scored his first goal for them (in his seventh appearance) in their 5–0 win away at Middlesbrough on 19 September 2009.[21] Three days later, Thomas was sent off in a League Cup tie against his former club Arsenal. He was penalized for using his elbow in a challenge on Jack Wilshere, after which he offered Wilshere his hand to apologize and to help the Arsenal player back onto his feet, but Wilshere refused the offer and allegedly made a comment. Thomas reacted by pushing Wilshire away (his hand being high on Wilshere's chest) and was shown a red card.[22] On 25 September 2010 he returned to the Emirates Stadium and scored West Bromwich Albion's third goal in a surprise 3–2 win over the Gunners.

In his first game back from the resulting three-match suspension, on 17 October 2009, Thomas was named as man of the match after scoring two goals in West Brom's 3–1 win over Reading. Thomas went on to have an effective first term with the Baggies, scoring seven goals in twenty nine appearances; however, his season was cut short due to a recurrence of a back injury which he suffered in the previous season.[23] In a bid to regain fitness for the following campaign Thomas returned to pre-season training ahead of the rest of the first team squad.

Thomas helped West Brom secure another season in the Premier League and scored three goals one being against his former club Arsenal. Thomas played a big part in helping West Bromwich Albion secure their third consecutive Premier League season under new England manager Roy Hodgson. but found first team chances hard to come by in the 2012/13 season under new head coach Steve Clarke. With injuries not helping his cause he went out on loan to Leeds United. When he returned he played an important part in the game against Aston Villa, which Albion were losing 2-0 but managed to turn it around to 2-2 with Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie goals.

Thomas was released from West Bromwich Albion on 22 May 2013."West Brom release Jerome Thomas and Gonzalo Jara". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2013.

Leeds United

On 22 November 2012, he joined Leeds United on loan until January 2013. He became Leeds second signing after the takeover by GFH Capital the previous day.[24] Thomas made his debut for Leeds against Crystal Palace on 24 November and he was handed the number 9 shirt.[25] Thomas received the man of the match award against Crystal Palace and also received praise for his performance against Leicester City, helping Leeds earn two wins in his first two games.[26] He scored his first goal for the club on 15 December, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win against Ipswich Town.[27]

After the takeover of Leeds by GFH Capital on 21 December, New Leeds director Salem Patel revealed Leeds were in negotiations with West Bromwich Albion to sign Thomas on a permanent deal.[28] Thomas returned to West Brom when his loan spell at Leeds expired on 2 January.[29] After returning to West Brom, Thomas' agent revealed several clubs including Leeds United were wanting to sign Thomas permanently.[30]

Crystal Palace

In the 2013 close season, Thomas signed for Crystal Palace, on a 2-year deal.[31] He was allocated squad No.14. On 16 July 2014 he scored once in a 13-1 pre-season friendly win against GAK Graz.[32]

International career

Thomas made his England U19 debut against Georgia under-19's in the Under-19 European Championship's preliminary round in 2001. He played four games for the under-19 side scoring one goal.

Thomas made his England U21 debut in 2002, earning two caps and scoring one goal for the under-21's.[33]

Thomas is also eligible to represent Guyana.[34]

Career statistics

As of 4 January 2015.[35]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2001–02 Premier League0000000000
2002–03 Premier League0000000000
2003–04 Premier League0000300030
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2001–02 Division 24100000041
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2002–03 Division 26200000062
Arsenal Total 0000300030
Charlton Athletic 2003–04 Premier League1000000010
2004–05 Premier League243301000283
2005–06 Premier League251402000311
2006–07 Premier League203103000243
2007–08 Championship320100000330
2008–09 Championship1000100020
Portsmouth (loan) 2008–09 Premier League1000000010
Charlton Athletic Total 10379070001197
Portsmouth 2008–09 Premier League2000000020
Total 2000000020
West Bromwich Albion 2009–10 Championship277111000298
2010–11 Premier League333100000343
2011–12 Premier League291101100312
2012–13 Premier League100200000120
Leeds United (loan) 2012–13 Championship6100100071
West Bromwich Albion Total 991151210010613
Crystal Palace 2013–14 Premier League9000000090
2014–15 Premier League1010100030
Career totals 231221511410026024

Personal life

Despite being mentioned in rapper Kano's song London Town, from the 2007 album of the same name,[36] Thomas is not Kano's cousin. Thomas denied the relationship in a Coca-Cola Football League podcast posted 21 October 2009. Said Thomas, "I get asked this all the time. Apparently it's on Wikipedia." Thomas went on to state that former teammate and friend Jon Fortune is Kano's cousin.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 607. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Charlton Athletic profile". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Jerome Thomas Career Statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  5. ↑ "Wigan 1–1 QPR Match Report". BBC Sport. 2002-10-29. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  6. ↑ "Cheltenham 1–1 QPR Match Report". BBC Sport. 2002-10-19. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  7. ↑ "QPR 1–2 Oldham Match Report". BBC Sport. 2002-10-26. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  8. ↑ "Reyes passes Arsenal medical". BBC Sport. 2004-01-28. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  9. ↑ "Charlton sign Thomas". BBC Sport. 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  10. ↑ "Pompey snap up Charlton's Thomas". BBC Sport. 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  11. ↑ "Thomas Joins Pompey". Portsmouth F.C. 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  12. ↑ McNulty, Phil (2008-07-17). "Chelsea 4–0 Portsmouth Match Report". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Thomas Deal Made Permanent". Portsmouth F.C. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  14. ↑ "Thomas Out for at Least Three Weeks". Portsmouth F.C. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  15. ↑ "Tottenham Reserves 2 Pompey Reserves 3 Match Report". Portsmouth F.C. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  16. ↑ "Pompey Reserves 2 Aston Villa Reserves 0 Match Report". Portsmouth F.C. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  17. ↑ "Thomas lands Tigers chance". Sky Sports. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  18. ↑ "Defensive error costly for Wolves". BBC Sport. 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  19. ↑ "Tigers opt against Thomas". Sky Sports. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  20. ↑ "Free agent Thomas joins West Brom". BBC Sport. 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  21. ↑ "Middlesbrough 0–5 West Brom". BBC Sport. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  22. ↑ Cass, Simon (2009-09-22). "Arsenal 2 West Brom 0: Mega-Watt is electric as Sanchez flicks the switch". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  23. ↑ "Thomas to miss start of new season", Birmingham Mail, 22 April 2010. Retrieved on 12-6-2010.
  24. ↑ "WEST BROM MIDFIELDER ARRIVES ON LOAN". Leeds United A.F.C. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  25. ↑ "Leeds Vs Crystal Palace". Leeds United A.F.C. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  26. ↑ "BOSS HAILS ANOTHER FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE". Leeds United A.F.C. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  27. ↑ "Leeds 2-0 Ipswich" BBC Sport. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  28. ↑ "Leeds United: New director Patel keen to keep hold of ‘key’ loan duo". Yorkshire Evening Post. 22 December 2012.
  29. ↑ "Leeds United: Swansea City defender extends loan with Whites". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Leeds United in battle to keep Jerome Thomas". Yorkshire Evening Post. 3 January 2013.
  31. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23259415
  32. ↑ "Pre-Season Report: GAK Graz 1-13 Crystal Palace". cpfc.co.uk. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "Jerome Thomas" UEFA.com 0/07/2012 08:4 Retrieved 0/07/2012
  34. ↑ "Where have the Golden Jaguars been hiding?". Guyana Times. 19 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "Jerome Thomas Stats". Soccerbase.
  36. ↑ Robinson, Kane (2007). London Town (CD booklet). Kano. London, UK: 679 Recordings. 2564697895.

External links