39 moves across five countries - football's ultimate journeyman

Image source, Zeph ThomasImage caption, Zeph Thomas has played for 29 different clubs since being released by Rotherham United in 2008

"If I I didn't get the money I thought I deserved, I'd be off," says Zeph Thomas, as he attempts to explain a career path that has spanned an extraordinary 39 moves in 18 years.

The Bradford-born winger, 36, is one of football's ultimate journeymen.

Rossington Main (five spells), Mickleover Sports (four spells), Frickley Athletic (three spells), Garden City Broncbusters (United States), Montegnee (Belgium), Thunder Bay Chill (Canada).

Thomas' list of former clubs goes on and on.

Cowdenbeath, Boston United, Harrogate Town, Scarborough Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Leek Town.

Ilkeston Town, Matlock Town, Goole, Glossop North End, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Brighouse Town (two spells), Emley, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Sheffield, Shaw Lane, Belper Town, Parkgate, Campion, Eccleshill United, Selby Town and Ossett United.

But could Thomas' life on the move be over?

The former St Kitts & Nevis international has embraced his player-manager role at ninth-tier South Yorkshire club Dearne & District since being appointed in 2024.

After winning the Northern Counties East League First Division last season, the village club based in Goldthorpe, near Barnsley, play their first ever FA Cup match on Saturday when they visit Runcorn Town - one of 219 extra preliminary round ties scheduled to take place.

"We've gone from being in the Doncaster Saturday League in 2021 to playing in the FA Cup," adds Thomas.

"It's massive for the area because they have never seen this team play in the competition."

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Image source, Zeph ThomasImage caption, Thomas (far left, front row) pictured with St Kitts and Nevis national team - who he qualified to play for through his grandfather - in 2013

Thomas' career started at Rotherham United when former Manchester United forward Mark Robins was youth team coach.

He was released in 2008 without making a senior appearance, a decision that did not come as a complete surprise to him.

"I was a bit petulant and naive back then," he says.

"I remember scoring in a reserve game and then the next day we had to come in for recovery runs. At the time, I didn't think I should have been doing any of that.

"If my attitude had been better I would probably have been fine to be honest."

With his dreams of making it big in the full-time game shattered, Thomas embarked on a remarkable journey across non-league football in England, while there were spells at clubs in Kansas, Ontario, Scotland and Belgium.

In 2013-14 alone, he was on the books of Sheffield, Mickleover Sports, Scarborough Athletic, Matlock Town and Goole, while he started 2016-17 back at Mickleover Sports and then went to Shaw Lane, Stafford Rangers, Frickley Athletic... before ending back at Mickleover.

The non-league club where he spent his longest spell was Brighouse Town (second stint) between 2020 and 2023.

While at Stocksbridge Park Steels, he played against Jamie Vardy, then at Halifax Town, before Vardy went on to play for England and win the Premier League with Leicester City in 2015-2016.

In 2013, Thomas almost quit playing after suffering a groin injury. He worked in a call centre in Rotherham and thought about joining the army before being given an opportunity to resume his career at Thunder Bay Chill in Ontario.

Has he kept a record of his numerous destinations?

"Not at all. There's definitely been too many to count," adds Thomas.

"It's been a good experience but it could have been better. I moved up or went sideways for more money.

"But playing in different countries was a great experience and I would encourage all young players to go and experience that if they get a chance.

"I worked under different coaches with different ideas and philosophies."

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Published23 March 2013Image source, Zeph ThomasImage caption, Thomas is also lead coach of Derby County Under-12s, who won the Orange Veins Madrid tournament in 2025

After a life spent seemingly on the road, Thomas does not have so far to travel to games these days.

He lives a five-minute walk from Dearne & District's ground, with wife Marie and their two children, Jerome, 11, and Lucia, seven.

Thomas combines his part-time job with Dearne & District, who attracted a crowd of 453 for the home league game with Penistone Church on 28 July, with his role as lead coach for Derby County's Under-12s.

He is still registered to play for the non-league club but these days prefers to coach from the dugout and pass on his experience to players.

"Sometimes I feel a bit of a hypocrite because I used to move clubs for extra money," he says.

"Now I say to my players, 'keep on doing what you're doing because the money will come'."

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