Paul Thomas - a legend of Georges River District Cricket Club

Georges River District Cricket Club | February 10, 2023

Paul Thomas is one of the legends of the Georges River District Cricket Club. Commencing with the club in season 1968/1969, Thommo has now notched up his 50s season with GRDCC this season. Thommo is one of the pillars of the club who has played a major role in the club virtually from his inception with us.

Starting off as a bright-eyed and bushy tailed 19 year old keeper batsman, Thommo was an integral part of the club's first grade side in that role for many years.

(Thommo at 19 years old)

Over many seasons Thommo had to relinquish his keeping spot when some fresh blood arrived on the scene, in the form of a gentleman in the name of Meville 'Mifty' Fernando. Thommo was then relegated to the second grade side where in between sharing the keeping duties he dusted off his skills in the craft of off-spin. Thommo's core cricketing talents shone through and it was not very long before he forced his way back into the firsts, this time as a front-line offie! Together with Mifty they became a combination to be reckoned with snared bags of wickets over many a years. This combination became a very long lasting friendship which continues to this day.

(Thommo and Mifty were a lethal combination for our club)

Thommo playing statistics are truly amazing. At the time of writing:

575 matches, 4171 overs, 917 maidens, 617 wickets (and counting), 5 wickets in an innings on 11 occasions with a best of 5/13. Who knows what his figures would look like if he didn't kick off as a keeper!

Thommo also enjoys his time with the bat in hand, compiling almost 3,500 runs with a highest score of 69.

While Thommo may have transitioned to lower grades over time, success was never far away. Below he is pictured with the 3rd grade premiership winning team in season 2008/009.

(Thommo snaring his 600th in December 2016 at Bland Oval, Riverwood playing for Georges River Classics)

While his tenure with GRDCC is a very rare feat, his efforts off the ground have been tremendous to say the least. Here are some of the headline achievements Thommo has racked up with the club in his time.

• GRDCC Cap Number 279
• GRDCC Vice President
• GRDCC Life Member
• President for 3 years from 1993/1994 to 1995/1995
• Secretary for 4 years from 1986/1987 to 1989/1990
• Assistant secretary for 5 years from 1981/1982 to 1985/1986
• Veterans co-ordinator since 2013/2014
• A range of other committee roles spanning roughly 30 years

As the club has evolved, so has Thommo's influence upon it. Veterans cricket kicked off in Sydney in the mid 90s with the Sydney Masters (over 40s) competition, and it was thanks to Thommo's hard work that a GRDCC side was later included. This competition evolved to include the Sydney Classics (over 50s) and now the Sydney Vintage (over 60s) of which Thommo played a critical role in its establishment. GRDCC has enjoyed great success across all age groups of the Sydney Veterans competition - all thanks to Thommo's hard work.

(Thommo front and centre in the first ever GRDCC Vintage side at Lance Hutchinson Oval, February 2018)

At the representative level, Thommo was also an integral part of the Port Jackson Cricket Club, being the representative body club for the Greater Sydney Region for veterans cricketers participating in the VCNSW State Tournaments. Commencing with the over 60s, this has evolved to include the 50s, 60s and 70s. Not only was Thommo a critical person in the establishment of what is now a hugely successful entity, he also enjoyed representing Port Jackson (Greater Sydney) playing in the inaugural PJ 60s side and the inaugural PJ 65s side. Thommo also had the honour of playing for NSW in the over 60s on many occasions.

(Thommo in action for Port Jackson against the Southern Highlands)

It is only fitting that the Georges River Clubman Award - a much sought after award, was established in his name. Thommo is also one of the very select few to be named a 'Blue Bag Legend' - number 9 from a total of 14.We hope you enjoy the video celebrating Thommo's Blue Bag Legend status below.

References:

Georges River Vice Presidents: https://bit.ly/GR-Vice-Presidents

Georges River Life Members: https://bit.ly/GR-Life-Members

Georges River Cap Numbers: https://bit.ly/GR-Caps

Georges River Representative Players: https://bit.ly/GR-Higher-Honours

Georges River Clubman Award: https://bit.ly/GR-Clubman-of-the-Year

Georges River Blue Bag Legends: http://www.georgesriverdcc.com/, Our Club \ Honour Role \ Blue Bag Legends

Port Jackson Veterans Cricket Club: https://www.portjacksoncricket.com/