Sheffield

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Thomas Wainwright, who joined the club from Cardiff City and moved on to play for Tunbridge Wells Rangers, made thirteen appearances for Exeter City during 1927/28 when he was largely second-choice behind Tom Holland. 

After playing in army football during the First World War and for Sheffield teams Brunswick Wesleyans and Thorpe Hesley, Thomas signed professional terms for Sheffield United in 1919. Moving on without featuring in the Football League, he signed for Notts County where he also failed to make the first-team. He then starred in the Boston team which beat Mansfield Town and Bradford Park Avenue in the FA Cup in 1925/26 before losing to Sunderland at Roker Park.

Given another Football League opportunity with Cardiff City in 1926, Thomas was a reserve as the Ninian Park club won the FA Cup in 1927. Again not making a league appearance, he was allowed to move on to Exeter City in time for the 1927/28 season.  

Arriving at St James' Park eight years after first becoming a professional, Thomas finally made his league debut in the opening fixture of the season against Torquay United at Plainmoor which was also the home club's first game as members of the Football League. Vying for the goalkeeping spot with Tom Holland, Thomas lost his place after just five games and did not reappear until the Bristol Rovers game on 17 March 1928. Enjoying a late-season run of eight games, he missed out on the final four games of the season before leaving Exeter to sign for Tunbridge Wells Rangers ahead of later appearances for Shirebrook, Loughborough Corinthians and a number of clubs in the Sheffield area.

13