Aswad Thomas

Aswad Kwame Leon Thomas (born 9 August 1989) is an English former professional footballer who played as a left-back.

Aswad Thomas
Personal information
Full name Aswad Kwame Leon Thomas[1]
Date of birth (1989-08-09) 9 August 1989[1]
Place of birth Westminster, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1][2]
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
2005–2007 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Charlton Athletic 0 (0)
2008 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 13 (2)
2008 → Barnet (loan) 2 (0)
2008–2009 → Lewes (loan) 14 (0)
2009–2011 Woking 72 (3)
2011–2012 Braintree Town 43 (5)
2012–2015 Grimsby Town 90 (1)
2015 Woking 2 (0)
2015–2017 Dover Athletic 68 (5)
2017–2019 Sutton United 66 (3)
2019–2020 Ebbsfleet United 9 (2)
Total 379 (21)
International career‡
2012–2013 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:45 9 May 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:06 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Having started his career with Charlton Athletic; he spent time on loan with Accrington Stanley, Barnet and Lewes before signing for Woking in 2009, and Braintree Town in 2011. He played for Grimsby Town for two and a half years and had a second short stint with Woking before joining Dover Athletic in 2015. He later had spells with Sutton United and Ebbsfleet United before retiring in 2020.

Career

Charlton Athletic

Thomas started his career with the Charlton Athletic youth system.[3] Although he never made his senior debut, Thomas appeared on the bench twice,[4][5] but he did make four appearances for the U18s[6] and featured 11 times for the reserves in the 2007–08 season,[6] scoring in the 8–4 home victory over Southampton in September 2007.[6] Thomas had been compared to former Charlton hero Richard Rufus,[7] and noted as a clean striker of a ball, athletic and strong in the tackle.[3]

He joined Accrington Stanley on loan in January 2008[7] where he made his Football League debut against Wycombe Wanderers.[8] He scored twice in a 2–3 victory against Chester City, firing in Leam Richardson's defence-splitting pass and Thomas followed up John Danby's parry from his own shot to level.[9] He returned to Charlton after serving his suspension for being sent off against Macclesfield Town when he had thrown the ball in the face of Shaun Brisley.[10] He also played twice on loan at Barnet at the start of the 2008–09 season,[11] after completing his month-long loan with League Two side Barnet,[6] shortly afterwards he joined Lewes on loan.[12]

Woking

He signed a one-year contract with Conference South outfit Woking in 2009[13] and scored on his debut against Welling United which Woking went on to win 2–1.[14]

Braintree Town

In June 2011, Thomas signed for the newly promoted Conference National team Braintree Town.[15] After playing five games with three clean sheets, Thomas received his first of seven yellow cards on 29 August 2011 in the 50th minute, in the 2–3 defeat against Ebbsfleet United.[16] He scored his first of five goals in the 2011–12 season, a close range shot into the bottom right corner in the 6–2 defeat at York City.[17] Three games later he scored in the 5–4 defeat against Kidderminster Harriers.[18]

England C manager Paul Fairclough confirmed that Thomas had been close to getting an international call-up,[19] and on 10 November 2011 Aswad Thomas was included in the stand-by contingency squad for the England C team in the friendly against Gibraltar on the following Tuesday.[20] On 26 November 2011 Thomas received his 2nd yellow card of the season in the 10th minute for unsporting behaviour and was sent off in the 85th minute for his second bookable offence, an unfair foul on Curtis Obeng, serving a one match ban after the 0–0 stalemate against Wrexham.[21] On 26 December 2011 he received his 3rd yellow card in 78th minute for a foul on substitute defender Jonathon Thorpe in the 2–0 away defeat at Cambridge United.[22] Thomas scored his 5th and final goal for Braintree

At the start of the new calendar year and in the following game on New Year's Day, again Thomas fouled Jonathon Thorpe to receive his 4th yellow card in the 19th minute in the 3–2 victory at home against Cambridge United.[23] His third goal of the season came when he scored the opening goal, Thomas volleyed in Ben Wright's cross in the 2–2 draw at home against Stockport County.[24] He scored a crucial 79th-minute goal in the 1–0 home win against Barrow, a low pass from defender Dean Wells to Thomas, he scored inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal.[25] On 18 February 2012 he received his 5th yellow card in the 1–0 away defeat at A.F.C. Telford United for unsporting behaviour, after giving away a free kick for an unfair challenge on striker Chris Sharp.[26] On 17 March 2012 Thomas received his 6th yellow card in the 1–4 defeat at home to Kidderminster for unsporting behaviour, after conceding a free kick for a foul on defender Lee Vaughan.[27] On 24 March 2012 Thomas scored the opening goal in the 0–4 thrashing of Barrow, latching onto striker Sean Marks' header from 18 yards at the edge of the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal.[28]

On 14 April 2012 Thomas was forced to sit on the bench despite not being 100 per cent fit at Stockport County[29] and missed the following home game against York City also due to the knee injury.[30] Having missed the previous two games, Thomas played in what became his last and final game of the season for Braintree in the 5–1 defeat at Wrexham.[31]

Grimsby Town

Thomas signed a two-year deal with Conference National side Grimsby Town on 4 July 2012, for an undisclosed fee,[19][32][33] thought to be around £15,000.

Having impressed in his first five games for Grimsby, Thomas was named in the England C squad to face Belgium in Brussels on Wednesday 12 September in an International Challenge Trophy game.[34]

In his first two seasons with Grimsby, Thomas was a runner-up in the 2013 FA Trophy as well as losing in the Conference Premier semi-final in both years. On 4 January 2014 he scored a last minute own goal which meant Grimsby were dumped out of the FA Cup third round in a 2–3 defeat against Huddersfield Town.[35] On 22 January 2015, Thomas was signed off from work with the club after suffering from stress. Thomas had requested the cancellation of his contract in order to resolve personal issues and sort out a transfer away from the club, however Grimsby decided in this case to allow the player a month's leave.[36] On 3 February Thomas was released by Grimsby on mutual consent.[37]

Return to Woking

Shortly after being given a month's leave by Grimsby, it was confirmed by Conference Premier side Woking that Thomas had returned to the club and had signed contractual forms for the rest of the season.[38]

Dover Athletic

On 28 August 2015, following his release from Woking, Thomas joined Dover Athletic on a one-year deal.[39]

Sutton United

Thomas joined Sutton United in the 2017 close season alongside former Dover teammates Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel. He made his club debut on 5 August 2017 in a 2–0 home victory over Leyton Orient.[40] He scored his first goal for the club on 23 September in a 3–2 win against Barrow.[41]

Personal life

After retiring from football, Thomas is now a Caribbean chef and set up Dreadz Kitchen which is offering Caribbean meals to his local community in London from his own kitchen.[42]

International career

Thomas was called up to the England C team in 2012.[34]

Career statistics
As of match played 7 September 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic 2007–08[43] Championship 000000—00
2008–09[44] Championship 000000—00
Total 000000—00
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2007–08[43] League Two 132———132
Barnet (loan) 2008–09[44] League Two 20——1[lower-alpha 1]030
Lewes (loan) 2008–09[45] Conference Premier 140———140
Woking 2009–10[46] Conference South 37230—6[lower-alpha 2]0462
2010–11[46] Conference South 35160—5[lower-alpha 3]0461
Total 72390—110923
Braintree Town 2011–12[47] Conference Premier 43510—3[lower-alpha 4]0475
Grimsby Town 2012–13[48] Conference Premier 41120—7[lower-alpha 5]0501
2013–14[49] Conference Premier 36050—4[lower-alpha 6]0450
2014–15[50] Conference Premier 13020—1[lower-alpha 4]0160
Total 90190—1201111
Woking 2014–15[50] Conference Premier 20———20
Dover Athletic 2015–16[51] National League 24121—4[lower-alpha 7]0302
2016–17[51] National League 44421—2[lower-alpha 4]0485
Total 68542—60787
Sutton United
2017–18[52]
 National League 37110—3[lower-alpha 8]0411
2018–19[51] National League 29220—2[lower-alpha 9]0332
Total 66330—50743
Ebbsfleet United 2019–20[53] National League 9200—0092
Career total 379202620038044922
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Three appearances in Conference South play-offs, three in FA Trophy
  3. Two appearances in Conference South play-offs, three in FA Trophy
  4. Appearances in FA Trophy
  5. Two appearances in Conference Premier play-offs, five in FA Trophy
  6. Two appearances in Conference Premier play-offs, two in FA Trophy
  7. Two appearances in National League play-offs, two in FA Trophy
  8. One appearance in Conference Premier play-offs, two in the FA Trophy
  9. Two appearances in the Scottish League Challenge Cup

Honours

Club
Grimsby Town

Individual

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. "Player Profile". Grimsby Town F.C. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. "Charlton U18s 1 Watford U18s 1". Charlton Athletic Football Club. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  4. "Charlton 5 – 2 Stockport". BBC Sport. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  5. "Luton 3 – 1 Charlton". BBC Sport. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  6. "Aswad returns". Charlton Athletic Football Club. 17 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  7. "Transfer deadline day: 1.30pm-5pm". The Guardian. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  8. "Aswad shines for Stanley". Charlton Athletic Football Club. 4 February 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  9. "Chester 0 – 2 Accrington". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  10. "Macclesfield 2 – 1 Accrington". BBC Sport. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  11. "Aswad Thomas Joins on Loan". Barnet Football Club. 19 August 2008. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  12. "Thomas handed Lewes debut". The Argus. 27 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  13. "Woking have signed four players on one-year deals". BBC Sport. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  14. "Welling United 1–2 Woking". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  15. "Aswad Thomas joins Braintree". Woking Football Club. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  16. "Braintree 2 – 3 Ebbsfleet". BBC Sport. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  17. "York 6 – 2 Braintree". BBC Sport. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  18. "Kidderminster 6 – 2 Braintree". BBC Sport. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  19. "Mariners win the race to get Iron's Aswad". Braintree & Witham Times. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  20. "Young Braintree stars impress England boss". Braintree & Witham Times. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  21. "Braintree 0 – 0 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  22. "Cambridge 2 – 0 Braintree". BBC Sport. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  23. "Braintree 3 – 2 Cambridge". BBC Sport. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  24. "Braintree 2 – 2 Stockport". BBC Sport. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  25. "Braintree 1 – 0 Barrow". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  26. "Telford 1–0 Braintree". BBC Sport. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  27. "Braintree 1 – 4 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  28. "Barrow 0 – 4 Braintree". BBC Sport. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  29. "Injury time strike earns a point". Essex Telegraph. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  30. "Canny Devonshire has Irons in the fire". Essex Telegraph. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  31. "Wrexham 5 – 1 Braintree". BBC Sport. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  32. "Aswad targeting a promotion push after joining Grimsby Town". Grimsby Telegraph. 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  33. "Aswad Agrees Town Move". Grimsby Town Football Club. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  34. "Town Duo Get England Call". Grimsby Town Football Club. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  35. "Grimsby 2–3 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  36. "Aswad Thomas has been signed off from Grimsby Town 'due to stress'". Grimsby Telegraph. 22 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  37. "Aswad Leaves Town - News - Grimsby Town".
  38. "Aswad Returns!". Woking F.C. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  39. "Aswad Thomas: Dover sign ex-Grimsby and Woking defender". BBC Sport. 28 August 2015.
  40. "Sutton United 2-0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017.
  41. "Sutton United 3-2 Barrow". BBC Sport. 23 September 2017.
  42. "Dreadz Kitchen: Footballer turned chef offering Caribbean meals to community". London World. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  43. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  44. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  45. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  46. "Aswad Thomas - Aylesbury United profile". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  47. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  48. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  49. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  50. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  51. "A. Thomas". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  52. "Sutton United 2017/2018 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  53. "Games played by Aswad Thomas in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
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