Caernarfon Town hero Darren Thomas announces he is leaving the club

After 435 appearances and 148 goals one of Caernarfon Town’s greatest-ever players has announced he is leaving the club.

Darren Thomas, 39, leaves behind a wealth of memories and the eternal love of the fans who nicknamed him the Cofi Messi.

In an emotional farewell, Thomas put out the following statement this evening:

“After 15 amazing years, I’ve made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make — I am leaving Caernarfon Town Football Club.
The team and club is in a really good place and I just want to play a bit more than I have been recently so I think it’s the right time to leave.
When I was a young boy, growing up in Ysgubor Goch, I could hear the crowd at the Oval from where I lived. I used to play football in the street in front of my home and as a Cofi all I wanted to do was play for the team.
It’s been great to help the club win titles and trophies and qualify for Europe. I don’t think I could ever have imagined how successful we would be when I joined but we have improved every season and it’s been great to be a part of it.
I’m not one to share my emotions but to pull on the shirt, walk out in front of the fans at the Oval and represent Caernarfon has meant everything to me.
I have been really proud to be captain these past few years and playing in Europe and winning the Welsh Cup for the first time have been the highlights! I joined the club because I wanted to win the Welsh Cup so that was a dream come true!
The fans have been amazing – the Cofi Army has always supported me and playing in front of them has meant a lot. I’ve got lots of friends who follow the team and I’ll be back here to join them whenever I can to shout the boys on!
I want to thank everyone who has been involved at the club over the past fifteen years. The players, staff and especially the fans.
I think I’m still getting my testimonial (!) so I’ll get to play in the shirt for a final appearance, which I’m sure will be enjoyable but emotional too!
Thank you, Cofis! 💛💚
Once a Cofi, always a Cofi.”

Darren Wyn Thomas

Born on January 20, 1987, the attacking midfielder with a penchant for scoring spectacular goals is also a Wales C international.

Darren began his senior career with Caernarfon Town Reserves before a switch to Bontnewydd where he won the Caernarfon and District League in 2004/05.

He returned The Oval the following season but, having made just one League of Wales appearance he joined Llangefni Town, where he stayed for four successful years.

During his time at Cae Bob Parry, Darren was an influential part of the side that twice won the Cymru Alliance League.

Llangefni spent just one season in the Welsh Premier – 2007-08 – but Darren scored 13 goals in 30 appearances, including two hat-tricks and was named as the League’s Player of the Month for March 2008.

Darren signed for Porthmadog in 2011 before returning to The Oval in 2013.

In his first season back at Caernarfon, they won the treble of the Welsh Alliance League title, Cookson Cup and FAW Trophy under Lee Dixon and Darren played a huge part, hitting 19 league goals and netting twice in the Trophy final.

One of his finest career moments came in 2014-15 when he scored a phenomenal goal against TNS in the Welsh Cup.

An stunning individual effort saw Darren break from his own half, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake before lashing home a magnificent shot from outside the box.

The goal later won Sgorio’s Goal of the Decade award. He also landed the 2019-20 Sgorio Goal of the Season accolade for his run and thunderous finish against Ammanford in the Welsh Cup.

Although he left for a taste of the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth for a short period in 2015, he returned after three months and became a talismanic figure for the Cofis.

Darren’s honours list

2004-05: Caernarfon & District League title winner (Bontnewydd)
2006-07: Cymru Alliance League title winner (Llangefni Town)
2009-10: Cymru Alliance League title winner (Llangefni Town)

Caernarfon Town honours
2012-13: Welsh Alliance League title winner; FAW Trophy winner; Cookson Cup winner.
2013-14: Cymru Alliance League Cup winner
2015-16: Cymru Alliance League title winner; Cymru Alliance League Cup winner
2016-17: Cymru Alliance League Cup winner
2017-18: Cymru Alliance League title winner.

2013-14: Players Player of the Season, Supporter’s Player of the Season (shared with Grahame Austin), Caernarfon Town Top Scorer.
2016-17: Caernarfon Town Player of the Season
2017-18: Caernarfon Town Player of the Season, Huws Gray Team of the Season.
2018-19: Caernarfon Town Player of the Season.
2010-19: Sgorio Goal of the Decade winner. (versus TNS 2014/15 Welsh Cup)
2019-20: Sgorio Goal of the Season (versus Ammanford Welsh Cup)
2021-22: Cymru Premier play-off final winner
2023-24: Cymru Premier play-off final winner
2024-25: Captained Caernarfon Town in their first-ever European tie.
March 21, 2025: Makes 400th appearance for Caernarfon Town
April 12, 2026: Appears as late substitute as Caernarfon lift the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history, beating Flint Town United 3-0 in the final.