Former Thatcham Town defender Gareth Thomas has taken the first steps back into football since announcing his retirement in September.
The defender had spent 15 years with the Kingfishers before departing in the summer for Bracknell Town, but a series of injuries persuaded the FA Vase winner to call time on his playing career.
Thomas already has some managerial experience having taken on the role of player/manager with Thatcham in 2016 alongside Danny Robinson. Of that, he said to the Newbury Weekly News in the summer: “It was probably too early in my career, but I have no regrets as I stepped in at a turbulent time when the club needed to reset itself.”
Wessex League Premier Division side Tadley Calleva have confirmed the defender has joined The Tadders and manager Adam Clark at Barlows Park: “We are delighted to confirm that Gareth Thomas has joined the club and will be taking up the position of first team coach. Prior to unfortunate injuries, Gareth played for a number of clubs amassing over 500 league appearances.”
Calleva have started their Sydenham Wessex League season steadily with three wins, two draws and three defeats but a three match FA Cup run and two games in the Vase mean they are three games behind most of their league opponents.
Calleva are due to play Shaftsbury at Barlows Park on Tuesday 8th December.
