“If I wasn’t getting the money I felt I’d earned, I moved on,” says Zeph Thomas, reflecting on a career that has taken in an astonishing 39 moves across 18 years.
The 36-year-old Bradford-born winger is the archetypal football journeyman.
Rossington Main (five spells), Mickleover Sports (four spells), Frickley Athletic (three spells), Garden City Broncbusters (United States), Montegnee (Belgium), Thunder Bay Chill (Canada).
Thomas’ roster of former clubs seems endless.
Cowdenbeath, Boston United, Harrogate Town, Scarborough Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Leek Town.
And there are many more besides.
Ilkeston Town, Matlock Town, Goole, Glossop North End, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Brighouse Town (two spells), Emley, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Sheffield, Shaw Lane, Belper Town, Parkgate, Campion, Eccleshill United, Selby Town and Ossett United.
But could Thomas finally be ready to settle?
The former St Kitts & Nevis international has embraced life as player-manager at ninth-tier South Yorkshire club Dearne & District since taking the job in 2024.
After clinching last season’s Northern Counties East League First Division title, the Goldthorpe-based village side near Barnsley will play their first-ever FA Cup match on Saturday, away at Runcorn Town—one of 219 extra preliminary round ties.
“We’ve gone from the Doncaster Saturday League in 2021 to playing in the FA Cup,” Thomas says.
“It’s massive for the area because they’ve never seen this team in the competition.”