Mickey Thomas (football)
Encyclopedia
Michael Reginald "Mickey" Thomas (born 7 July 1954) is a former football player. As a Welsh international
, he made 51 appearances and scored four goals.
, Wales
, and was among a group of notable footballers to come out of North West Wales during the 1970s and 1980s.
Local factory Quinton Hazell bought him a pair of boots when he was at school in the mid 1960s, and at the age of 13 Thomas was a success as left wing on the factory's Conwy League men's team. By 15, he and friend Joey Jones
(a year younger than him) were taken on by Wrexham
.
Though the first two years were spent cleaning boots, the changing rooms and the whole stadium, Thomas made his first-team debut in the 1971–72 season
, when still only 17. Under manager John Neal
he helped Wrexham establish their giant-killing reputation by reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup
in 1974 and the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1976, when they lost to the eventual winners, Anderlecht
of Belgium
.
After helping Wrexham storm to the Third Division
title, Thomas crossed the border to England and joined Manchester United
. He played 110 games and scored 15 goals for the Red Devils, collecting an FA Cup
runners-up medal in 1979.
He then moved to Everton
(the team he supported as a boy), Brighton
and Stoke City
. He lasted just three months at Everton, his contract terminated by manager Howard Kendall
in the autumn of 1981 after he refused to play in the reserves. He joined promotion-chasing Chelsea
in January 1984, signed by the manager who had given him his debut at Wrexham, John Neal
. Thomas made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut and helping the club become Second Division champions in 1983–84
. He was sold to West Bromwich Albion
in 1985 for £100,000. In 1986 Thomas moved to the United States where he lent his skills to the Wichita Wings of Wichita Kansas. The team was part of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). League games were all played in indoor arenas. Indoor soccer was at its height at the time in the states where the traditional outdoor version of football had never caught on. Known as "Tricky" Mickey, Thomas played for the Wings for two seasons before moving back to Wales where he played for various other teams in the English League, finally returning to Wrexham in 1991, where in the memorable FA cup defeat of Arsenal
in January 1992, 37-year-old Thomas scored the equalising goal
from a free kick
.
Thomas gained 51 caps for Wales
, and counts scoring a goal for Wales in their win over England
as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
currency scam, where by he laundered the money
through Wrexham's trainees. North Wales Police
arrested him in 1993, and after a trial he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
and Amlwch Town
in Wales
, until he finally retired from playing in 1995 at the age of 41.
Thomas currently provides analysis on all Manchester United matches on "Total Football" on Key 103
and Piccadilly Magic 1152
. He also works as an after-dinner speaker, where his favourite joke remains: "Roy Keane's on 50 grand a week. So was I till the police found my printing machine."
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, he made 51 appearances and scored four goals.
Biography
Mickey Thomas was born in Mochdre, ConwyMochdre, Conwy
Mochdre is a village to the west of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough, north Wales. Originally part of the Municipal Borough of Colwyn Bay prior to local government reorganisation in April 1974, it is now a separate community , whose population at the 2001 census was 1,862.- Origin of the name...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and was among a group of notable footballers to come out of North West Wales during the 1970s and 1980s.
Local factory Quinton Hazell bought him a pair of boots when he was at school in the mid 1960s, and at the age of 13 Thomas was a success as left wing on the factory's Conwy League men's team. By 15, he and friend Joey Jones
Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
(a year younger than him) were taken on by Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
.
Though the first two years were spent cleaning boots, the changing rooms and the whole stadium, Thomas made his first-team debut in the 1971–72 season
1971-72 in English football
The 1971–72 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in England.-FA Cup:Leeds United overcame holders Arsenal to win the 1972 FA Cup Final...
, when still only 17. Under manager John Neal
John Neal (footballer)
John Neal is a former English football player and manager.Neal was a full-back whose playing career included numerous clubs, including Hull City, Southend United and Swindon Town...
he helped Wrexham establish their giant-killing reputation by reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1974 and the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1976, when they lost to the eventual winners, Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
After helping Wrexham storm to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
title, Thomas crossed the border to England and joined Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He played 110 games and scored 15 goals for the Red Devils, collecting an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
runners-up medal in 1979.
He then moved to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
(the team he supported as a boy), Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. He lasted just three months at Everton, his contract terminated by manager Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
in the autumn of 1981 after he refused to play in the reserves. He joined promotion-chasing Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in January 1984, signed by the manager who had given him his debut at Wrexham, John Neal
John Neal (footballer)
John Neal is a former English football player and manager.Neal was a full-back whose playing career included numerous clubs, including Hull City, Southend United and Swindon Town...
. Thomas made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut and helping the club become Second Division champions in 1983–84
1983-84 in English football
The 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
. He was sold to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in 1985 for £100,000. In 1986 Thomas moved to the United States where he lent his skills to the Wichita Wings of Wichita Kansas. The team was part of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). League games were all played in indoor arenas. Indoor soccer was at its height at the time in the states where the traditional outdoor version of football had never caught on. Known as "Tricky" Mickey, Thomas played for the Wings for two seasons before moving back to Wales where he played for various other teams in the English League, finally returning to Wrexham in 1991, where in the memorable FA cup defeat of Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in January 1992, 37-year-old Thomas scored the equalising goal
Goal of the Season
In English football, the Goal of the Season is an annual competition and award given on BBC's Match of the Day, in honour of the most spectacular goal scored that season...
from a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
.
Thomas gained 51 caps for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, and counts scoring a goal for Wales in their win over England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Counterfeiting conviction
Thomas became involved in a counterfeitCounterfeit
To counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product...
currency scam, where by he laundered the money
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
through Wrexham's trainees. North Wales Police
North Wales Police
North Wales Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing North Wales. The headquarters are in Colwyn Bay, with divisional headquarters in St Asaph, Caernarfon and Wrexham....
arrested him in 1993, and after a trial he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
After football
Thomas never played at senior level after his imprisonment, although he did continue playing for a while at non-league level with PorthmadogPorthmadog F.C.
Porthmadog Football Club is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1884 and plays at Y Traeth, Porthmadog, which accommodates 2,000 spectators .- History :...
and Amlwch Town
Amlwch Town F.C.
Amlwch Town F.C. is a football team, playing in Amlwch on the island of Anglesey in the Welsh Alliance League, the third tier of the Welsh football league system....
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, until he finally retired from playing in 1995 at the age of 41.
Thomas currently provides analysis on all Manchester United matches on "Total Football" on Key 103
Key 103
Key 103 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the city of Manchester and the north west of England. Its output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. Formerly owned by Trans World Communications, EMAP and now by Bauer Radio, Key 103 is part of Bauer's Place Network of...
and Piccadilly Magic 1152
Piccadilly Magic 1152
NB Piccadilly Radio re-directs here. See also Key 103Piccadilly Magic 1152 , began broadcasting as Piccadilly Radio, which was Manchester's first commercial radio station.-Early years:...
. He also works as an after-dinner speaker, where his favourite joke remains: "Roy Keane's on 50 grand a week. So was I till the police found my printing machine."