Former Stoke and Southampton defender Wayne Thomas joins Worcester

By Matt Bishop
Former Rushall Olympic manager Wayne Thomas has reignited his playing career by joining Worcester City at the age of 38.
Thomas, who enjoyed spells at the likes of Stoke City, Southampton and Burnley during his professional career, was sacked by Rushall last Saturday after just 14 games in charge.
He played over 50 times for Worcester between 2014-16, and Blue’s joint manager John Snape revealed he jumped at the chance to bring Thomas back to the club.
Speaking to the Worcester News, Snape said: “Wayne is a welcome addition back at the club.
“It is not just his playing ability but the professionalism he brings, the high standards he sets.
“Defensively it will help us it will help the young boys around him and the way he approaches the game can only rub off on the other lads.
“That know-how and experience will be big for us.”
Having racked up over 500 professional appearances during his career, Thomas joined New York Red Bulls in 2015 as an academy coach, before spending a year as under-19’s manager at Kidderminster Harriers.
His first managerial role, at Rushall, proved less than impressive, with Thomas winning just three games before leaving the club 23rd in the NPL.