Martin Thomas, signed from Oxford United, played in around half of the games during Exeter City’s 2002/03 relegation season. Returning to his native Hampshire he moved into non-league football with Eastleigh and Totton.  

A trainee with Southampton, Martin signed professionally for the club in June 1992 but left without making a first-team appearance. Making his Football League debut for Leyton Orient in March 1994 he soon moved on to Fulham for whom he made ninety league appearances over the following four seasons. He then made a similar number of appearances for Swansea City between 1998 and 2001 before briefly playing for Brighton and Hove Albion. Subsequently, after appearing in fourteen league games for Oxford United during 2001/02, Martin arrived at Exeter City in August 2002. 

In a season that ultimately ended in relegation from the Football League, Martin made his debut as a substitute on the opening day of the season at Shrewsbury Town. He went on to start 22 times in the league, with another four appearances from the bench, but did not play after the Darlington game in mid-March. 

Remaining at the club for the first Conference season, Martin made a further ten league appearances but none between September and January. Having reportedly turned down a reduced-terms two-year contract with Exeter, Martin joined Eastleigh in 2004 and later played for AFC Totton and Winchester City.