Geoff Thomas passes away
14th January
Swansea City is sad to announce the death of former player Geoff Thomas after a long illness, aged 64.
The talented midfielder made 357 league appearances for the Swans between 1965 and 1976, scoring 52 goals.
A former Swansea Schoolboys captain, he became one of the first apprentices at the Vetch Field in the early 1960s after leaving school in the Hafod. He also gained Youth and Under-23 honours for Wales.
Having made his league debut at Workington in October 4, 1965, he became a regular in the first team and was a central figure in the club's Fourth Division promotion season under Roy Bentley in 1969-70 with 11 goals.
Following the arrival of Harry Gregg as manager at the Vetch, he spent a month on loan at Manchester United, before being released by Harry Griffiths at the end of the 1975-76 season.
His love for the game continued as he played for Welsh League side Milford before joining local side North End in the Swansea Senior League.
An all-round sportsman, he later became a Mumbles Cricket Club stalwart as both player and groundsman.
"He was a club legend on and off the field, well-liked by everyone,'' said John Blyth of Mumbles CC.
Swans chairman, Huw Jenkins, said: "It's always sad to lose a member of the Swans family, especially when that person gave so much to the club as a player.
"Having played an incredible 357 league games for the club, there's no doubt he was an influential member of the Swans over a number of years.
"He was a well known and loved member of the local community going on to play in the Swansea League when he hung up his boots at the Vetch.
"Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time."
He lived in the Mumbles and leaves three grown-up sons, Lee, Carl and Jamie.
Geoff Thomas (above) is pictured top row, second from the left, in this Swans squad from the start of the 1970-71 season.
The talented midfielder made 357 league appearances for the Swans between 1965 and 1976, scoring 52 goals.
A former Swansea Schoolboys captain, he became one of the first apprentices at the Vetch Field in the early 1960s after leaving school in the Hafod. He also gained Youth and Under-23 honours for Wales.
Having made his league debut at Workington in October 4, 1965, he became a regular in the first team and was a central figure in the club's Fourth Division promotion season under Roy Bentley in 1969-70 with 11 goals.
Following the arrival of Harry Gregg as manager at the Vetch, he spent a month on loan at Manchester United, before being released by Harry Griffiths at the end of the 1975-76 season.
His love for the game continued as he played for Welsh League side Milford before joining local side North End in the Swansea Senior League.
An all-round sportsman, he later became a Mumbles Cricket Club stalwart as both player and groundsman.
"He was a club legend on and off the field, well-liked by everyone,'' said John Blyth of Mumbles CC.
Swans chairman, Huw Jenkins, said: "It's always sad to lose a member of the Swans family, especially when that person gave so much to the club as a player.
"Having played an incredible 357 league games for the club, there's no doubt he was an influential member of the Swans over a number of years.
"He was a well known and loved member of the local community going on to play in the Swansea League when he hung up his boots at the Vetch.
"Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time."
He lived in the Mumbles and leaves three grown-up sons, Lee, Carl and Jamie.
Geoff Thomas (above) is pictured top row, second from the left, in this Swans squad from the start of the 1970-71 season.
