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, known as Rod Thomas (11 January 1947 – 15 November 2025), was a talented Welsh footballer. He was born on January 11, 1947, and passed away on November 15, 2025. Rod played as a defender, a key position in football, for several well-known clubs. These included Gloucester City, Swindon Town, Derby County, and Cardiff City. He also proudly represented the Welsh national team in 50 international matches.
Contents
Rod Thomas's Football Journey
Starting with Gloucester City
Rod Thomas began his football career at Gloucester City. In July 1964, when he was still a young player, Swindon Town's manager, Bert Head, noticed his talent. Swindon Town paid £500 to bring Rod to their team.
Shining at Swindon Town
Rod made his first appearance for Swindon Town in the 1965–66 season. The next season, he became the team's main right-back. This is a defender who plays on the right side of the field. He also started playing for the Welsh under-23 national team. Many people thought he was one of the best defenders around.
In 1967, Rod played his first full international match for Wales. He played in a 0–0 draw against Northern Ireland. He holds the record for the most international appearances by a Swindon Town player. Rod played almost 300 games for Swindon. This included the exciting 1969 League Cup final.
Moving to Derby County and Winning a Title
In 1973, Rod moved to Derby County. His former manager, Dave Mackay, paid £100,000 to sign him. At Derby, Rod was part of a winning team. They won the First Division title in the 1974–75 season. This was a huge achievement in English football!
Later Career and Retirement
Rod left Derby in 1977 and joined Cardiff City. He played for Cardiff for four years. After that, he returned to Gloucester City. He continued to play for Wales, adding another 20 international appearances. Before retiring in 1982, he also played briefly for Newport County, Bath City, and Barry Town.
Rod's Achievements and Trophies
Rod Thomas had a very successful career, winning several important trophies:
With Swindon Town
- League Cup: He helped Swindon Town win the League Cup in the 1968–69 season.
- Anglo-Italian League Cup: Won in 1969.
- Anglo-Italian Cup: Won in 1970.
With Derby County
- English Championship: His team won the top English league title in 1974–75.
- Charity Shield: Won in 1975.
Remembering Rod Thomas
Rod Thomas passed away on November 15, 2025. He was 78 years old. His contributions to football, both at club and international level, are remembered by fans and teammates.
