Full Name: Bill Thomas
Date of Birth: 10/11/1886
Height: 178 cm ( 5-10 )
Weight: 78 kg ( 12-4 )
Guernsey: 4/28
Debut: 02/05/1914, Round 2, Fitzroy
Last Game: 28/06/1919, Round 9, Carlton
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1914-16, 1918-19
Total Games: 62
Total Goals: 3
Honours: Captain 1914-16, 1919.
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons:
Total Games:
Total Goals:
Honours:
BIOGRAPHY
William "Son" Thomas was a centre-half-back. He was one of the premier centre-half-backs of his era. Not only was he a dashing player but also a fine mark, good kick and possessed great ball-handling skills. He joined Richmond from South Melbourne where he played for eight seasons and was a member of their first Premiership side in 1909. He represented Victoria four times and captained the state in 1912. He was Richmond's captain from 1914 until 1916 and again in 1919. He was forced into retirement after breaking his leg in two places against Carlton in Round 8 of 1919. He later served on the Richmond Committee between 1920 and 1922.
Away from football he was a foreman with the Telegraph Department. He was the father of Len Thomas who played 187 games for South Melbourne between 1927 and 1938. Len then coached Hawthorn in 1939 playing 16 game and in 1940 he coached North Melbourne, playing 6 games. Len was killed whilst on active service during the Second World War. They are the only father and son combination to have each played in excess of 200 senior ALF/VFL games.
PRE RICHMOND
Carlton Districts 1904-05 ; Rose of Northcote 1905, Games 3 ; South Melbourne 1906-13, Games 135, Goals 3 ( Honours - Premiership 1909, Captain/Coach 1910-11, Victorian Representative Team Games 4, Victorian Representative Team Captain 1912).
POST RICHMOND
Photos:
Rd 1 1915 vs Melbourne
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