Denise Anne Thomas (born 22 December 1979) is a former international Association football player and CrossFit practitioner. She represented Ireland at senior level and played club football in England with Doncaster Belles and Leeds United, as well as in America with Boston Renegades.

Denise Thomas
Personal information
Full name Denise Anne Thomas
Date of birth (1979-12-22) 22 December 1979 (age 44)
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Chesterfield
2000–2001 CCSU Blue Devils
2003–2004 CCSU Blue Devils
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–2000 Doncaster Belles
2002 Sunderland
2002 Leeds United
2005–2007 Boston Renegades
International career
2003– Republic of Ireland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:00, 17 September 2011 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:00, 23 September 2011 (UTC)

Thomas, from Rotherham,[1] began her career in the youth ranks of Chesterfield Ladies.[2] She moved on to Doncaster Belles and played in the Yorkshire club's 2000 FA Women's Cup Final defeat.[3] Thomas moved to America that summer on a college scholarship to Central Connecticut State University.[4] She was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2000 and Player of the Year in 2001.[5]

In February 2002 Thomas returned from America and signed for Sunderland, who were bottom of the Premier League National Division.[6] When Sunderland were relegated she moved to Leeds United and enrolled at the Football Association (FA) Player Development Centre at Loughborough University.[7] She had also been approached by Birmingham City manager Marcus Bignot during the summer.[8] In the middle of the 2002–03 season Thomas left Leeds and went back to America to complete her degree.[9]

Thomas joined W-League club Boston Renegades for their 2005 season.[1] In 2008, she was introduced to CrossFit and began competing the following year.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Renegades announce two additions". United Soccer Leagues. 9 March 2005. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Under 16's Archive". Chesterfield Ladies FC. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Agony as Belles Lose Out". South Yorkshire Times. 4 May 2000. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  4. ^ Snowden, Frazer (8 August 2000). "Belles Sign England Stars". South Yorkshire Times. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  5. ^ Anderson, Woody (14 November 2001). "Notebook". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Belles of the Wear ball!". Evening Chronicle. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2002.
  7. ^ "Additional England players receive soccer scholarships at the FA National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University". Women's Soccer World. 30 July 2002. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Blues campaign delayed by caps". Worcester News. 11 July 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  9. ^ Clarke, Roger (2 February 2003). "Football: Blues boss is Full of hope for big game; WOMEN'S FOOTBALL". Sunday Mercury. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Athlete Profile: Denise Thomas – Northeast Regional". CrossFit.com. Retrieved 15 September 2012.

External links edit

Denise ThomasFIFA competition record (archived)