Rod Thomas facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roderick John Thomas | ||
| Date of birth | 11 January 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Glynncorwg, Neath, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 15 November 2025 (aged 78) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Gloucester City | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963–1964 | Gloucester City | 10 | (3) |
| 1964–1973 | Swindon Town | 296 | (5) |
| 1973–1977 | Derby County | 89 | (2) |
| 1977–1981 | Cardiff City | 96 | (0) |
| 1981–1982 | Gloucester City | ||
| 1982 | Newport County | 3 | (0) |
| 1982 | Bath City | 2 | (0) |
| 1982–1983 | Barry Town | ||
| International career | |||
| 1967–1977 | Wales | 50 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Roderick John Thomas (born 11 January 1947, died 15 November 2025), known as Rod Thomas, was a talented Welsh footballer. He played as a defender, which means his main job was to stop the other team from scoring goals. Rod played for several important clubs, including Swindon Town and Derby County. He also proudly represented his home country, Wales, in 50 international matches.
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Rod Thomas: A Football Legend
Rod Thomas had an exciting career in football, playing for many years and achieving great success. He was known for his strong defensive skills and his dedication to the game.
Starting His Football Journey
Rod Thomas began his football career at Gloucester City, a local club. In July 1964, when he was still a young player, Swindon Town noticed his talent. Their manager, Bert Head, brought Rod to Swindon for £500. This was a big step for Rod, moving from a smaller team to a professional club.
It took almost two years for Rod to play his first game for Swindon. He made his debut in a match against Scunthorpe at the end of the 1965–66 season.
Becoming a Star Player and Playing for Wales
In the next season, Rod quickly became Swindon Town's main right-back. This meant he was the first choice for that important defensive position. His excellent play also caught the eye of the national team coaches. He was selected for the Welsh under-23 squad, which is a team for young, promising players.
Rod was seen as one of the best defenders outside of the top division in English football. In 1967, he made his full international debut for the Wales national team in a game against Northern Ireland. He played in 50 matches for Wales, which is a record for any player from Swindon Town.
Winning Trophies with Swindon and Derby
Even though bigger clubs were interested in him, Rod stayed with Swindon Town for a long time. He played almost 300 games for the club. One of his biggest achievements with Swindon was winning the League Cup final in 1969. This was a huge victory for the team!
In 1973, Rod moved to Derby County. His former manager, Dave Mackay, paid £100,000 to bring him to Derby. At Derby, Rod continued his success. He was part of the team that won the First Division title in the 1974–75 season. This was a major championship win in English football.
Later Career and Retirement
After his time at Derby, Rod joined Cardiff City in 1977. He played for Cardiff for four years, but injuries sometimes made it difficult for him. In 1981, he returned to his first club, Gloucester City.
Rod continued to play for Wales, adding another twenty international appearances to his name. He also had short periods playing for Newport County, Bath City, and Barry Town. He retired from professional football in 1982, leaving behind a fantastic career.
Amazing Achievements
Rod Thomas won several important trophies during his football career.
Swindon Town
- English Football League Cup: 1968–69
- Anglo-Italian League Cup: 1969
- Anglo-Italian Cup: 1970
Derby County
- English Football League Champion: 1974-75
- Charity Shield: 1975
