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For the former NHL goalie, see Wayne Thomas (hockey).

Wayne Thomas is an English professional footballer born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire. He can line up both in the centre of defence and at right-back and is currently playing for Burnley F.C.

Wayne first began his career playing for Torquay United. He would go on to make over one hundred league appearances for 'The Gulls', and one season managed to be an 'ever-present', starting all forty-four league games. His performances soon brought attention from larger clubs, with Stoke City, then in the Second Division, winning the race for his signature in the summer of 2000, paying a transfer fee of £200,000.

He proved to be an astute signing by Gudjon Thordarson and in the 2001/02 season helped Stoke achieve promotion through the play-offs with a 2-0 win at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff against Brentford. Despite the promotion, Thordarson was sacked and replaced by Steve Cotterill. Cotterill was manager for just six months before he resigned amidst much controversy to become assistant manager at Sunderland.

After a short spell under the caretaker manager Dave Kevan, Tony Pulis would become the new manager of 'The Potters'. Thomas' career would flourish under Pulis and so, with his contract running out in the summer of 2005, several Championship clubs were looking to sign the powerful defender on a Bosman transfer. The race was eventually won by Steve Cotterill, now managing Burnley after Cotterill flew out to Thomas' holiday home in Florida to persuade him.

His first season as a Burnley player was an unsuccessful one, as he was hit with two serious injuries; first tearing his knee ligaments and then, after a surprisingly quick recovery, breaking his second metatarsal bone. This second injury ended his season. Thomas was made club captain when the 2006/07 season kicked off.

Thomas had a difficult start to the 2006/07 season, being deemed at least partially at fault for some goals conceded and being sent off twice before the end of September, however Cotterill showed faith in Thomas by retaining him as captain on his return from suspension. Although his form improved, he was replaced as captain in February 2007 by recent signing Steven Caldwell.

• Wayne Thomas career stats at Soccerbase

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