Jamie Thomas (footballer, born 1997)

{{short description|English-born Welsh footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jamie Thomas

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Jamie Carl Thomas{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |accessdate=10 February 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|1|10|df=y}}{{cite web

| title = Jamie Thomas

| url = http://www.11v11.com/players/jamie-thomas-251940/

| publisher = 11v11

| accessdate =16 April 2016}}

| birth_place = Blackpool, England

| height = {{height|m=1.78}}

| position = Forward
Midfielder[http://www.afcblackpool.org.uk/teams/First-team/players/517758 AFC Blackpool: First Team Players: "Jamie Thomas Midfielder"]

| currentclub = Bamber Bridge

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2005–2013

| youthclubs1 = Blackpool

| youthyears2 = 2013–2015

| youthclubs2 = Bolton Wanderers

| years1 = 2015–2016

| clubs1 = Bolton Wanderers

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2016–2018

| clubs2 = Burnley

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2016

| clubs3 = → Ayr United (loan)

| caps3 = 3

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018–2019

| clubs4 = Squires Gate

| caps4 =

| goals4 =

| years5 = 2019–2021

| clubs5 = A.F.C. Blackpool

| caps5 =

| goals5 =

| years6 = 2021

| clubs6 = Bamber Bridge

| caps6 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2021–2022

| clubs7 = Preston North End

| caps7 = 0

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2022

| clubs8 = → FC Halifax Town (loan)

| caps8 = 8

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2022–

| clubs9 = Bamber Bridge

| caps9 = 0

| goals9 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015

| nationalteam1 = Wales U19

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalgoals1 = 4

| club-update = 00:02, 26 January 2022 (UTC)

}}

Jamie Carl Thomas (born 10 January 1997) is an English-born Welsh footballer who plays for Bamber Bridge. He has also represented Wales internationally at under-19 level.

Club career

Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Thomas started his career with local club Blackpool where he spent eight years before transferring to Bolton Wanderers to start his two-year scholarship.{{cite news |title=JAMIE THOMAS: The Exclusive Interview |url=http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=389156 |publisher=Bolton Vital Football |accessdate=30 September 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002161431/http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=389156 |url-status=dead }} In his first year scholar, playing in the under 18 Premier League, Thomas scored 17 goals and in his second year scholar he scored 15 goals. After completing his two-year scholarship, he was rewarded with another one-year extension to his scholarship in May 2015.{{cite news |title=Four youngsters sign professional deals |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/four-youngsters-sign-professional-deals-2456897.aspx |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |accessdate=30 September 2016}} In April 2016, he was thrown into first-team action featuring as an unused substitute for Championship matches against Cardiff City and Hull City. At the end of the 2015–16 campaign he was released from the club as Bolton were relegated to League One.{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers Confirm Huge Summer Player Exodus |url=http://www.90min.com/posts/3203434-bolton-wanderers-confirm-huge-summer-player-exodus |publisher=90 Min |date=30 May 2016 |accessdate=30 September 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003101035/http://www.90min.com/posts/3203434-bolton-wanderers-confirm-huge-summer-player-exodus |url-status=dead }}

Following his release from Bolton, he joined newly promoted Premier League side Burnley on a two-year contract to play for the Development Squad.{{cite news |title=Clarets sign striker Jamie Thomas |url=http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/2016-17/clarets-sign-striker-jamie-thomas-3162228.aspx |publisher=Burnley F.C. |date=30 June 2016 |accessdate=30 September 2016 |archive-date=13 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813224754/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/2016-17/clarets-sign-striker-jamie-thomas-3162228.aspx |url-status=dead }} In July 2016, he was sent out on loan to Scottish Championship side Ayr United on a six-month loan deal,{{cite news |title=Thomas Joins Ayr On Loan |url=http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/2016-17/thomas-joins-ayr-on-loan-3194007.aspx |publisher=Burnley F.C. |date=19 July 2016 |accessdate=30 September 2016 |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816051241/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/2016-17/thomas-joins-ayr-on-loan-3194007.aspx |url-status=dead }} however the loan was cut short in October after Ayr manager Ian McCall deemed that Thomas' game time would be limited.{{cite web |url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/q-of-s-match-preview/ |title=Q of S match preview |publisher=Ayr United FC |date=21 October 2016 |accessdate=13 November 2016 |archive-date=14 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114010051/http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/q-of-s-match-preview/ |url-status=dead }} On 11 April 2018, Burnley announced the releasing of the forward to the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16151343.burnley-offer-conor-mitchell-new-deal-several-youngsters-depart/|title=Burnley offer Conor Mitchell new deal, but several youngsters depart|first=Tyrone|last=Marshall | quote=Sam Layton, Rahis Nabi, Harry Limb, Khius Metz, Lewis King, Jordan Barnett, Arlen Birch, Brad Jackson and Jamie Thomas will be leaving Turf Moor |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=11 April 2018|accessdate=28 November 2019}}

On 6 October 2018 Thomas signed for Squires Gate.[https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/squiresgate/news/signing-ex-burnley-and-wales-u19s-forward-jamie-thomas-joins-gate-2354461.html Pitchero: "SIGNING: EX BURNLEY AND WALES U19'S FORWARD JAMIE THOMAS JOINS GATE."] A year later he signed for A.F.C. Blackpool.[https://www.afcblackpool.org.uk/news/interview-with-jamie-thomas AFC Blackpool: INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE THOMAS]

On 28 June 2021, he signed for Bamber Bridge.[https://www.facebook.com/BamberBridgeFC/videos/552134419304440/ Bamber Bridge FC: " 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 🚨 We're delighted to welcome former Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Burnley & Wales u19 ace, Jamie Thomas to the club. A player who will excite and delight the Brig faithful. Welcome aboard, Jamie!"] A month later he went on trial with EFL Championship team Preston North End after scoring against them twice for Bamber Bridge in a pre-season friendly. During the trial he scored for Preston in 1–1 pre-season draw against Accrington Stanley.[https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/preston-north-ends-goalscoring-trialist-jamie-thomas-will-train-with-the-lilywhites-next-week-3322320 Preston North End's goalscoring trialist Jamie Thomas will train with the Lilywhites next week"] The trial was successful and on 5 August he signed a one-year contract with Preston, with Preston having the option to extend it for a further year.[https://www.pnefc.net/news/2021/august/jamie-thomas-earns-contract-after-impressive-trial/ Preston North End: "Jamie Thomas Earns Contract After Impressive Trial"]

On 25 January 2022, Thomas joined National League side FC Halifax Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2022/january/jamie-thomas-heads-to-halifax-on-loan/ |title=Jamie Thomas heads to Halifax on loan |publisher=Preston North End FC |date=25 January 2022 |accessdate=26 January 2022}}

Thomas was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2022/may/preston-north-end-retained-list-confirmed/|title=Preston North End Retained List Confirmed|website=www.pnefc.net|date=9 May 2022}}

On 1 November 2022, Thomas returned to Bamber Bridge.{{cite tweet|number=1587455528447483906|title=PLAYER NEWS: We are DELIGHTED to announce that we have re-signed @jamiethomas40 🤩 Jamie goes straight in the squad for this evening's game at Whitby! Welcome back Jamie 👏🏻 we can't wait to see you in a Brig shirt, enjoying your football again 😀 #UpTheBrig ⚪️⚫️|user=BamberBridgeFC|author-link=Bamber Bridge F.C.|date=1 November 2022|accessdate=1 November 2022}}

International career

Despite being born in England, Thomas qualifies to represent Wales through his parentage. In August 2014, he received his first call-up to international duty for the under-19 side, for an international friendly double-header against Montenegro.{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers starlet Jamie Thomas called up by Wales |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/11422778.Wanderers_starlet_Jamie_Thomas_called_up_by_Wales/ |publisher=The Bolton News|date=20 August 2014 |accessdate=30 September 2016}} He went on to start the game and scored on his debut in a 3–1 win, and followed it up with another goal in the reverse fixture which Wales won again 2–1.{{cite news |title=Bolton Youngster Nets On Wales U19 Debut |url=http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2014/09/03/bolton-youngster-nets-on-wales-u19-debut.html |publisher=Burnden Aces |date=3 September 2014 |accessdate=30 September 2016}}{{cite news |title=Bolton Starlet Strikes Again in Wales U19 Victory |url=http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2014/09/06/bolton-starlet-strikes-again-in-wales-u19-victory.html |publisher=Burnden Aces |date=6 September 2014 |accessdate=30 September 2016}} He went on to feature in all of the qualifiers for the 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship against Portugal, Denmark and Albania as Wales failed to qualify, scoring twice in six games.

Personal life

In 2018 and 2019, after not playing for 14 months, Thomas suffered from anxiety and depression.{{cite tweet|user=jamiethomas39|author=Jamie Thomas|number=1173706910375317505|date=16 September 2019|title=Considering I didn't play for 14 months and went through hell with anxiety and depression I don't think I've done too bad mate 👍🏼 feels great to be back in a Bolton shirt. Always loved the club.}}[https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/jamie-thomas-preston-trialist-burnley-21136429 Lancs Live: "Who is Jamie Thomas? Ex-Burnley & Bolton man who scored on trial for Preston North End: "Thomas has also played eight times for Wales under-19s - whom he qualifies for due to his parentage - and missed 14 months of football between 2018 and 2019, having suffered with anxiety and depression."]

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 10 August 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bolton Wanderers

|2015–16{{cite web |title=Jamie Thomas - Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/jamie-thomas/390065/ |work=Soccerway|accessdate=17 April 2016}}

|Championship

|0

00000colspan="2"|—00
rowspan="3"|Burnley

|2016–17

|rowspan="2"|Premier League

|0

00000colspan="2"|—00
2017–18

|0

00000colspan="2"|—00
colspan="2"|Total

!0

00000colspan="2"|—00
Ayr United (loan)

|2016–17

|Scottish Championship

|3

000301Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup070
Preston North End

|2021–22

|Championship

|0

00010colspan="2"|—10
colspan="3"|Career total

!3

000401080

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

References

{{reflist}}