Blues Legends: Peter Thomas

by John Kehoe

(first published in the October 2009 Monaghan United match programme)

Blues heroes don’t come much bigger than Peter Thomas. The legendary goalkeeper is synonymous with Waterford, being involved in much of the club’s success over the years. Here’s a short synopsis of a stellar career.

Peter was signed from Coventry City in February of 1967, following the path cut by Johnny Matthews the previous year. The Blues had lifted their first ever League title in the 1965/66 season, but struggled to make any headway the following year. It was to be but a brief pause to draw breath though, as they went on to win the next three League crowns, and five of the next six, thanks in no small part to Thomas’ contribution between the sticks.

An agile and acrobatic keeper, small in stature but commanding in the air, Peter is also credited with introducing the throw-out to the League of Ireland, turning defence into attack with a swift economy of movement.

Virtually ever present throughout the ’70s and into the ’80s, Peter nevertheless missed out on a medal in the inaugural League Cup final in 1974, which the Blues won by beating Finn Harps 2-1 at Tolka Park. Injured in the run-up to the game, his place was taken on the day by full back Peter Bryan. He lined out in back-to-back FAI Cup finals at Dalymount Park, as Waterford lost out to Dundalk in 1979 before seeing off St Patrick’s Athletic the following year, due as much to Thomas’ heroics as anything else, as he refused to be beaten by the much vaunted Saints attack, lead by the superlative Jackie Jameson.

Having taken out Irish citizenship, he was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland side on two occasions, playing against Poland and Brazil in 1973 and ’74. He also represented the League of Ireland many times. And he even had time to become one of the Blues’ many managers, taking the reins in August 1988. Well, as it turns out, time was one thing he didn’t have, as he stepped down just three months later, citing pressures of work.

Four simple numbers sum up the contribution “Tommo” has made to Waterford’s history. The Blues have won 6 League titles, and 2 FAI Cups. Thomas has winners medals for five of those Leagues and one Cup. Being part of three quarters of the major trophies won by a club in its entire history would qualify anyone to be considered a legend!