view Thomas's match-by-match record
 
Rod THOMAS

Town manager Bert Head brought Thomas to the County Ground from non-league Gloucester City in July 1964 - paying £500 for his services. Still a youth player, it was almost two years before he made his debut, in a drab 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe, at the end of the 1965/1966 season.

The following season saw Thomas establish himself as the club's first choice right back, and he also achieved his first international honours, being selected for the Welsh under-23 squad. Widely recognised as one of the best defenders outside of the First Division, Thomas made his full international debut in a 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland in 1967.

Despite interest from bigger clubs, Thomas went on to make nearly 300 appearances for Swindon, including the 1969 League Cup final. By the time he left in 1973, he had made the most international appearances ever by a Swindon player, having played in thirty matches for Wales. He moved on to Derby, when former Town manager Dave Mackay offered £100,000 for Thomas' signature.

He made another twenty appearances for his country, before his retirement in 1982.

PLAYING RECORD:

Season LEAGUE FA CUP LEAGUE CUP OTHER TOTAL
Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls
'73/'74 14 - - - 2 - - - 16 -
'72/'73 41 2 2 - 1 - - - 44 2
'71/'72 36 1 1 - 1 - - - 38 1
'70/'71 42 1 2 - 3 - 4 - 51 1
'69/'70 41 1 4 - 2 - 7 - 54 1
'68/'69 44 - 3 - 12 - - - 59 -
'67/'68 41 - 3 - 2 - - - 46 -
'66/'67 35 - 8 - 2 - - - 45 -
'65/'66 2 - - - - - - - 2 -
TOTAL 296 5 23 - 25 - 11 - 355 5


TRANSFER INFORMATION:

DATE IN/OUT TRANSFER DETAIL
JUL 1964 IN Gloucester City
£500
21 NOV 1973 OUT Derby County
£100,000


full name

Roderick John Thomas


 WALES
international apps

50 apps(30 apps whilst at Swindon) 

U-23 international apps

6 apps(6 apps whilst at Swindon)


date of birth
11 January 1947


             
             
             
             
         
             

usual positions
right back

other positions
left back

youth career
Gloucester City

senior career
Gloucester City
SWINDON TOWN
Derby County
Cardiff City 
Gloucester City
Newport County 
Barry Town