Well, our new Association member can now be revealed as ‘Cov Kid’ Conor Thomas who has only recently swapped Sky Blue for Red to continue his footballing career! CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard tracked Conor down at the Sky Blues first League One game of the season at the County Ground, Swindon. Though the Robins came out 1-0 winners in a somwhat scrappy game (with Conor playing a full part in their victory) Frank was able to get the signature of the young midfielder after the game.
Conor was schooled in Coventry at Coundon Court (along with another young former Sky Blue and CCFPA member Jordan Clarke). Spotted playing for local side Christ the King Conor was brought up in football terms through the Sky Blue Academy and eventually made his professional debut from the bench in Jan.2011 in City’s 2–1 defeat of Crystal Palace in the F.A.Cup and later in the month made his full debut in another cup tie against Birmingham City. England U17 and U18 honours with City followed.
Conor in the Sky Blue 2015
His potential was quickly spotted by Premier League Liverpool and he went out on loan to Anfield early in 2011, with a view to a permanent move. However injury intervened, Conor missed out on a 1st team outing and the proposed transfer was not proceeded with. Conor’s peak season with the Sky Blues was 2013-14 when he was almost an ever present. Injuries and loss of form subsequently meant first team opportunities steadily diminished in the next two seasons and the midfielder is looking to kick off the next stage of his career this season with Swindon Town. Before signing up for the Robins at the end of the close season Conor had amassed a respectable total of Sky Blue first year appearances – exactly one hundred. He scored his first (and only) senior goal for CCFC on 31 January 2012 in a 2–1 defeat at Blackpool.
Frank takes up the story. “Long day on the road following a late morning call that I might get the opportunity to sign my latest target.
Left home just after 10am but got caught up in heavy traffic and was delayed for over an hour, I graciously allowed our Associate Member Ken Simmons into the very long que of traffic all the way to the County Ground.
Conor signs on the dotted line
Swindon Town were more than helpful putting me in touch with Conor who started the game at right-back and finished it at left-back. I spoke to him on the final whistle after he’d been interviewed by the tunnel for local radio and he agreed to meet me after he’d caught up with his old Sky Blue mates, particularly many of those who’d progressed through the Academy alongside him who were in our squad today.
After signing he explained that Town use a very fluid system (not unlike the Sky Blues so far this season) and he relished playing in different positions. It was a tight game and the Sky Blues could easily have been 2 or 3 up at the break, Swindon came into it more in the second half but their goal scoring opportunities were limited but they final broke the deadlock with just 4 minutes remaining.
At the end of the day it was Connor who went home happier than me (although I tried to put on a brave face)! “
Welcome aboard Conor, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Ricoh in the not too distant future.