Eddie Thomas

Edwin Henry Charles Thomas (9 November 1932 – 23 September 2020)

He made his reserve team debut on 17 December 1949, displacing Len Stansbridge, and over the next year, he and Stansbridge vied for the role of second choice 'keeper behind Scottish international Ian Black. Black moved to Fulham in July 1950, with Northern Irish international Hugh Kelly joining the Saints in exchange. On 7 October 1950, Kelly was called into the Northern Irish team for a match against England and manager Sid Cann promoted Thomas to the first-team for a match against Birmingham City. At a month before his 18th birthday, Thomas thus became Southampton's youngest-ever first-team goalkeeper, until the debut of Bob Charles in 1959. Although the match was lost 2–0, Thomas was not deemed to be at fault for either of the goals.

Thomas briefly became the second-choice 'keeper for the first eleven, making four further appearances before Christmas, but the signing of John Christie in January 1951 relegated him back to the reserves. Thomas was signed as a professional in May 1951, having gained three England Youth caps. but after three matches Stansbridge took over until the arrival of Fred Kiernan in October. By November, Thomas has also lost his place in the reserves to Stansbridge and, unable to regain his place, he was released in the summer of 1953.