Seventeen-year-old Pat Thomas made a solitary substitute appearance in the league for Exeter City in February 1983 after coming through the youth system. He also played for Sidmouth Town before enjoying a long-career in East Devon football as both a player and manager. 

Pat had been playing for his local club Sidmouth Town before joining the youth set-up at Exeter City and becoming a full professional in June 1982. His only league outing was as a substitute replacing Keith Viney at Wigan Athletic in January 1983.

After leaving Exeter at the end of the season, Pat once again played for Sidmouth Town as well as featuring for Ottery St Mary in the Western League and later managing Honiton Town and Sidmouth Town.