| James Thomas | |
| Birth Date: | 1979 1, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Swansea, Wales |
| Position: | Striker |
| Youthyears1: | –1997 |
| Youthclubs1: | Blackburn Rovers |
| Years1: | 1997–2002 |
| Years2: | 1997 |
| Years3: | 2000 |
| Years4: | 2000–2001 |
| Years5: | 2002 |
| Years6: | 2002–2006 |
| Years7: | 2006–2008 |
| Years8: | 2009 |
| Clubs2: | → West Bromwich Albion (loan) |
| Clubs3: | → Blackpool (loan) |
| Clubs4: | → Sheffield United (loan) |
| Clubs5: | → Bristol Rovers (loan) |
| Caps1: | 4 |
| Caps2: | 3 |
| Caps3: | 9 |
| Caps4: | 10 |
| Caps5: | 7 |
| Caps6: | 57 |
| Caps7: | 8 |
| Caps8: | 9 |
| Totalcaps: | 107 |
| Goals1: | 1 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Goals3: | 2 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Goals6: | 16 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Totalgoals: | 21 |
James Thomas (born 16 January 1979) is a Welsh former professional footballer who last played for Dandenong Thunder in the Victorian Premier League which is one tier below Australia's national competition. He represented Wales at Under-21 level.
Thomas began his career as a trainee with Blackburn Rovers, turning professional in August 1997. He struggled to establish himself at Ewood Park and was loaned to a number of clubs before being released at the end of the 2001–02 season. A highlight of his loan spells was when he scored the winning goal for Sheffield United against Preston North End, helping them win 3-2 when they had at one stage trailed 2–0.[1] Another loan spell at Bristol Rovers yielded one goal against Rochdale.[2] He scored three goals during his time at Blackburn; once in the league against Bolton Wanderers[3] and twice in a League Cup tie against Portsmouth.[4]
In May 2002 he joined Swansea City and quickly established himself in the first team. He is fondly remembered for the hat-trick he scored in a 4–2 victory over Hull on the last day of the 2002–03 season to save his hometown club from relegation to the Football Conference.[5] With Swansea he became Wales' most capped player at Under-21 level and was called up to the full squad for the match away to Azerbaijan in November 2002, but did not get to play.
Thomas later suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the game for two years. He joined Llanelli in August 2006.[6] After a short time playing in Australia, he returned to Wales where he now works as a Paramedic.[7]