No doubting their class: N Wales women’s football all-time Surname XI’s: No 1 – Thomas XI
Here’s a new series where we choose what we consider are the best XI’s in North Wales women’s football according to their surnames.
We will restrict selections to North Wales Women’s League, Welsh Premier League, North Wales Recreational League and great past North Wales teams (e.g. Bangor City, Caernarfon Town and Llandudno).
We’ll avoid North Wales girls playing in English teams as there are so many of them, it is not that easy to find details on where all of them play, and there is always the risk of leaving out a top player.
There is less chance of that happening with the leagues I am picking from – I’ve never claimed to know everyone or everything!
Here we go then….kicking off with the mighty All-Time Thomas XI
GOALKEEPER
Bethan Thomas
Regarded by many as the best goalkeeper in the North Wales League.
Aged 19, Bethan plays for Northop Hall, with whom she won the league title in 2017-18.
DEFENCE
Gemma Thomas
A member of the quadruple-winning Caernarfon Town Girls team of 2013-14 whose greatest achievement was to lift the Under-16 Welsh Cup.
Gemma is now one of the main driving forces in the setting up of Trearddur Bay Women’s FC on Anglesey.
Catrin Thomas
Amlwch Town player. Defender who has played centre-back, but mostly operates at left-back or right-back.
Dependable, good at tracking back, she was in the Amlwch Town squad which won the Supplementary Cup last season.
Shannon Thomas
Hard-working player, very versatile, renowned for her pace.
Only took up the game at around 18, and is 24 now, so still a relative newcomer, but coming on in leaps and bounds.
Has scored three times for the team this season and if she keeps on busting the net she will surely acquire the nickname ‘Shannon the Cannon’.
Meinir Thomas (captain)
Amazing athlete who as well as being a good footballer is a Wales hockey international into her 50s.
Meinir has also been in the goals this season, hitting seven so far, including a first hat-trick for Amlwch.
Another who can do a job in any position for the team.
MIDFIELD
Catrin Thomas
So many strikers in this team, including Catrin, but such is her versatility we’ll employ her as an attacking-midfielder.
Has played in the Welsh Premier League for Llandudno and Caernarfon Town, with whom she also won the North Wales League title in 2016-17, scoring 38 goals and being named Grassroots North Wales Player of the Season.
The sister of Caernarfon Town star Darren Thomas, Catrin joined Mountain Rangers this season.
Lisa Thomas
Attacking player who has impressed for Mountain Rangers on the few occasions they have managed to get on the field this season.
Lisa scored a hat-trick in the 14-1 victory over Holywell last September, her strike partner Katie Bowe netting seven in the same game.
Oceia Thomas
Promising young talent who signed for Wrexham from Tranmere Rovers this season.
Played in the same Tranmere side as Candice Nellist, who is banging in the goals for Connah’s Quay Nomads this term.
Oceia notched the winner for Wrexham in a 1-0 NEWFA Women’s Cup quarter-final against Pwllheli in February.
FORWARDS
Eleanor Thomas
Aged just 17, Eleanor is a strong, physical, forward player who has shone brightly for Northop Hall in North Wales Women’s League Division One.
Lois Thomas
One of the most natural goal scorers in North Wales football.
She netted more than 30 in 2017-18 and followed that up with 15 last season.
Has played for Bro Enlli, Pwllheli girls, North Wales, Meirion Dwyfor College, as well as Pwllheli Ladies and always been a prolific scorer.
Ceri Lois Thomas
Pacy forward, natural finisher.
First made her mark with Bangor City in 2017-18, scoring 28 goals and winning Grassroots North Wales Young Player of the Season.
Earned herself a move to Welsh Premier side Caernarfon Town, but once that team folded she switched to Bethesda, where she played her part in North Wales Division Two title-winning achievement, but injuries often held her back.
Has missed the whole of this season due to a shoulder operation, but hopes to be back playing regularly in 2020-21. Still aged just 19.