Harry Thomas (footballer)

Henry Thomas (born 28 February 1901) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as an outside left. He played for Swansea Town and Porth before joining Manchester United in 1922. He went on to make more than 100 appearances in the Football League for the club. He later played for Merthyr Town. During his career, he won a single cap for the Wales national football team.

Harry Thomas
Personal information
Full name Henry Thomas[1]
Date of birth (1901-02-28)28 February 1901
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Position(s) Outside forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1919–1920 Swansea Town 3 (0)
1920–1922 Porth
1922–1930 Manchester United 128 (12)
1930–1932 Merthyr Town
National team
1927 Wales 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Swansea, Wales, Thomas began his career with his hometown side Swansea Town.[3] He made his debut for the club in the Southern Football League but struggled to establish himself in the first team and left the side in 1920, having made three league appearances.[1] He instead joined Welsh League side Porth where he helped the team win the Welsh League title in 1922, having formed a forward partnership with Evan Jones.[1]

In April 1922, he was sold to Manchester United, where he made his debut against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on 22 April 1922.[2] Thomas remained a reserve player for several years,[1] making 30 appearances in his first four years at the club, before breaking into the first team during the 1925–26 season.[2] He went on to play in Division One and Two for United. During his United career, he made 135 appearances and scored 13 goals.[1]

During his time with United, he was capped by the Wales national football team on one occasion.[3] His sole appearance came in a 3–3 draw with England, replacing Charlie Jones who was suffering from flu.[1][4] After his spell at United he moved to Merthyr Town,[3] spending two years with the side before finishing his career with Abercarn.[1]

References
  1. Davies, Gareth M; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 197. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
  2. "Henry "Harry" Thomas". mufc.info. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  3. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Soccerdata. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  4. "Wales 3–3 England". englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
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