http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.u..._mistake__says_ex_Claret_Dave_Thomas/?ref=rss
Choosing Wolves over Manchester United was a mistake, says ex-Claret Dave Thomas
FORMER England manager Don Revie once described Dave Thomas as “the finest talent in Britain and possibly the whole of Europe”. But the former
Clarets winger ended up falling out of love with the game after an ill-fated move to today’s opponents, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Thomas preferred to play with rubber boots - ‘moulds’ as they were known - and without shinpads. It meant his socks started below his knees but would roll down to the ankles during the game. It wasn’t a fashion statement, Thomas simply felt more comfortable that way, and had been allowed to express himself whatever way he wished with Burnley, QPR, Everton and England.
But when Wolves coach Richie Barker took exception to Thomas’s attire soon after his £400,000 move, it spelled the beginning of the end at Molineux.
“I’d played for my country on numerous occasions and never once did Alf Ramsey or Don Revie tell me to change my boots or wear shinpads.
“In my day you could get away without wearing shinpads, and it’s what you are comfortable with. But the manager, John Barnwell, backed his coach, who had taken a dislike to me.
“Wolves had paid all that money for me and made me rot in the reserves.
“I’d turned Manchester United down to go to Wolves. At the time Wolves were second in the top division and it all looked good on paper. My wife and my friends thought I was crackers for going there.
“It was the biggest mistake of my life.”
He was released 14 months after signing in October 1979 and joined Vancouver Whitecaps before returning to England to play for Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, where he ended his playing career.
His Molineux misery is one reason why Thomas, a guest at this afternoon’s game, won’t be sitting on the fence for this afternoon’s meeting between two of his old clubs.
“I hope Burnley get three points,” said the 65-year-old, who joined the Clarets from Durham Schoolboys in October 1967 and became a PE teacher after retirement.
“It’s a special club. It’s where it all started for me and I had five great years there and more or less learned the trade.
“It’s always been part of my life and they always do their best by their former players.”
Former team-mates
Paul Fletcher and Steve Kindon are among those who have rallied round to help Thomas raise funds for the Guide Dogs Association.
Registered blind seven years ago and robbed of his peripheral vision due to severe glaucoma, he is on the waiting list for a guide dog.
With the help of his former clubs and team-mates he has so far raised in the region of £15,000, and Burnley are hoping to boost that pot with a fundraising night on April 20, hosted by Fletcher and Kindon which Thomas will be back to attend.
Of his condition, he said: “My peripheral vision is shot to bits, but I’m very lucky I’ve still got some vision, although I don’t know how long I will have it.
“I still play the piano and do certain things - I’m a single handicap golfer.
“But it does change your life when you’ve got to rely on people to take you here and there.
“I was very emotional when I found out that I’m going to get a dog and I want to give something back to the association. My wife and I are big animal lovers anyway and it will help us a lot.”
Tickets for the fundraiser at Turf Moor are priced £35 each or £300 for a table of 10. Contact Veronica Simpson on 01282 700001 between 1pm and 6pm Monday-Friday.
