St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

CP035

Cap

CIC

Davey Thomas

1897-1898

Swansea cap, 1897-1898 season, blue with "SFC" monogramme on front and "1897-8 on peak in white. Silver tassels.

This is the Swansea cap of forward Davey Thomas who played for Swansea from 1894 to 1899. Davey was the younger brother of Swansea's Welsh international forward Bob Thomas (Swansea RFC 1891-1901, 4 Welsh caps: 1900-1901). Davey played most of his Swansea career for the Reserves and then the 2nd XV, making just two appearances for the 1st XV. He made his debut on 8th December 1894 for the Reserves away against Clydach as one of three new faces in the Swansea team. Forward Arthur Jenkins and full-back Dan Smith also debuting that day. Future Swansea and Wales forward Hopkin Davies was in the Clydach team that day. Davey played two matches for the Reserves and two for the 2nd XV that season. In 1895-96 he had still not established himself in the pack, playing just seven times (three for Reserves and four for 2nd XV). After just three matches for the seconds in 1896-97 Thomas finally became a regular in the 2nd XV turning out fourteen times for them in 1897-98. His dependability in the pack gained his two 1st XV appearances, the debut coming against Aberavon at St Helen's on 12th February 1898 in a 12 - 0 win. His first points came in a 2nd XV match v Tondu where his try provided the only points in a 3 - 0 win. His only other match for the 1st XV followed on 2nd April 1898 again against Aberavon at St Helen's in a 44 - 0 win. 1898-99 was Davey Thomas' last season with Swansea and he made twelve appearances for the 2nd XV. Early in the season he scored another try and Swansea seconds beat Llandovery College 26 - 3 at St Helen's. While his more renowned brother played on until 1901, Davey Thomas disappeared from the Swansea team at the end of 1899, his final match being on 8th April 1899 in a 3 - 0 loss at The Gnoll to Neath 2nd XV. But he had gained his Swansea cap.

cap, swansea, davey thomas, 1897-1898,