Mitchell Thomas

Mitchell Thomas (born 2 October 1964 in Luton) is an English retired football defender. While at Tottenham Hotspur he started in the 1987 FA Cup Final.

For the Australian curler, see Mitchell Thomas (curler).

Mitchell Thomas
Personal information
Full name Mitchell Antony Thomas
Date of birth (1964-10-02) 2 October 1964
Place of birth Luton, England
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1986 Luton Town 107 (1)
1986–1991 Tottenham Hotspur 157 (6)
1991–1994 West Ham United 38 (3)
1994–1999 Luton Town 186 (5)
1999–2002 Burnley 99 (0)
Total 587 (15)
National team
1985–1986 England U21 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

David Pleat brought Thomas into the Luton Town side from Limbury boys club in 1982. In 1985/86 Thomas played three games for England U21s in the European U21 championships. He played in a qualifier and one leg each of the quarter and semi finals, with two of his Luton Town colleagues Tim Breacker and Mike Newell. [1] [2] He was sold to Tottenham in July 1986 for a fee of £275,000, following the same movement of manager David Pleat. After his spell at Tottenham during which he played in the 1987 FA Cup Final, Thomas moved to West Ham Utd in August 1991 for £500,000 joining former Luton teammate Tim Breacker.

On transfer deadline day in March 1994, he returned to Luton Town on a free transfer,[3] and he stayed there until the club went into receivership over the summer of 1999 and were forced to sell many players. Stan Ternent signed Thomas, for Burnley, for the start of the 1999-2000 season, which they ended by winning promotion. He remained at Turf Moor until retiring as a player in 2002.

Since Retirement

Since retirement from playing, Thomas has played a part in the transfer of several players. His role was controversial resulting in investigations into the transfers of Jermain Defoe to Tottenham Hotspur[4] and Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea.[5] [6] Thomas was also embroiled in a controversy of this type when he was transferred to Tottenham.[7]

References
  1. "England U21 results to 1985". RSSSF.
  2. "England U21 results from 1986". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010.
  3. Haylett, Trevor (25 March 1994). "Football: Peacock goes but Francis stays: Mixed day at Queen's Park Rangers while Limpar joins Everton and Beagrie hops to City". The Independent. London.
  4. "Legal wrangle looms for Jermain Defoe over mother's role in Spurs move". the Guardian. 8 January 2009.
  5. Conn, David (9 March 2010). "Shaun Wright-Phillips and Chelsea face questions over unlicensed agent". London: Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  6. Conn, David (10 March 2010). "Wright-Phillips deal offers Quest chance of belated success". London: Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  7. "More strife for Spurs". London: Independent. 6 June 1994. Retrieved 12 May 2010.

External sources
  • Mitchell Thomas at Soccerbase
  • Luton sell Mitchell.
  • "Goodbye to Mitchell" from Clarets-Mad.
  • Mitchell Thomas at Clarets-Mad.
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