Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle | Netherlands)

1846 replies · 587,290 views
22 Oct 00:50
Jerzy Merino wrote:

Next week could be our 2nd player in Dutch top flight following the Godfather! Hope Ivan sends his congrats when it happens.

Actually would be our third player in Dutch top flight following Fred de Jong and Ivan.
See Fred de Jong's Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_de_Jong
I know because I wrote it !!!! My dad's Dutch and I wrote some sections of Fred's Wiki a few years ago since they were sketchy or inaccurate. Based on authoritative Dutch websites:
"...joining Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie (First Division) in 1990, playing against the likes of Romario and Dennis Bergkamp. De Jong played three seasons in the Dutch top flight (53 games; 6 goals) and one more in the Eerste Divisie (Second Division)."
I've met Fred after matches before and talked to him about his time in the Eredivisie - he played for Sittard at a time when the Eredivisie was much stronger than it is now and the top clubs could afford some of the world's best players. Sittard are a smaller club and were happy to have Fred on board. He came to them as one of the top strikers in Australia's old NSL from Marconi Stallions, Sydney.
Fred told me how he had to fill-in as a central defender once and marked Bergkamp.
He was plagued by injuries during his last couple of seasons in the Netherlands which restricted his appearances and led to his return home in 1994.
Tends to be a little under-rated as a player perhaps these days, though those of us following football in the 80's and 90's certainly rate him.

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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22 Oct 00:52


Quite right. Forgot about dear old Fred.

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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22 Oct 10:00
Big Pete 65 wrote:
Jerzy Merino wrote:

Next week could be our 2nd player in Dutch top flight following the Godfather! Hope Ivan sends his congrats when it happens.

Actually would be our third player in Dutch top flight following Fred de Jong and Ivan.

See Fred de Jong's Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_de_Jong

I know because I wrote it !!!! My dad's Dutch and I wrote some sections of Fred's Wiki a few years ago since they were sketchy or inaccurate. Based on authoritative Dutch websites:

"...joining Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie (First Division) in 1990, playing against the likes of Romario and Dennis Bergkamp. De Jong played three seasons in the Dutch top flight (53 games; 6 goals) and one more in the Eerste Divisie (Second Division)."

I've met Fred after matches before and talked to him about his time in the Eredivisie - he played for Sittard at a time when the Eredivisie was much stronger than it is now and the top clubs could afford some of the world's best players. Sittard are a smaller club and were happy to have Fred on board. He came to them as one of the top strikers in Australia's old NSL from Marconi Stallions, Sydney.

Fred told me how he had to fill-in as a central defender once and marked Bergkamp.

He was plagued by injuries during his last couple of seasons in the Netherlands which restricted his appearances and led to his return home in 1994.

Tends to be a little under-rated as a player perhaps these days, though those of us following football in the 80's and 90's certainly rate him.



Its just a pitty that like Wynton, he never really played for the All Whites when at  the peak of his form.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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22 Oct 22:50

Fred played 14 times for NZ between 1990-93 that I am aware of. 

That's a pretty fair turn-out considering injury - and the fact he was not always a first choice up front in the era of Mike McGarry, Billy Wright, Noel Barkley, Paul Nixon, Vaughn Coveny, Harry Ngata, Darren McLennan, Thomas Edge etc - and occasionally Rufer.



https://www.facebook.com/groups/nzsportsprogrammes

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23 Oct 01:17

Bruce, you forgot Kevin Birch....

Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.

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23 Oct 02:58

sadly Fred's last AWs match saw a red card v Australia at Mt Smart in 1993... not the greatest note to finish on... but then the brilliant victory 4 years earlier on the same pitch would remain a highlight...

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23 Oct 07:58

This is a top effort from Ryan for such a short time at the club, lets hope he continues in this way.

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23 Oct 09:52
Bruce Holloway wrote:

Fred played 14 times for NZ between 1990-93 that I am aware of. 

That's a pretty fair turn-out considering injury - and the fact he was not always a first choice up front in the era of Mike McGarry, Billy Wright, Noel Barkley, Paul Nixon, Vaughn Coveny, Harry Ngata, Darren McLennan, Thomas Edge etc - and occasionally Rufer.



Hey, Bruce - great to see you on here - greetings from Chch - how're things in Hamilton?
Really enjoyed perusing your Waikato football programs website recently.
Looking forward to ASB Premiership or whatever they call it these days?
That's a capable list of strikers you remind me of above - very few that good in today's national league methinks...
Is the main reason, do you think, that so many are heading overseas now like Ryan Thomas (a Hamilton lad isn't he?) or other reasons like too much "coaching" and structures compared to the old days when players were tougher and relied on natural ability?
Or something...

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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24 Oct 06:56

Hi Peter,

I drift in and out of forums here from time to time.

Ryan Thomas is originally from Te Puke (in Western BOP) - but was scouted at a very early age by Declan Edge and was registered with Melville United from the age of 12.

You could say he has been groomed for a professional career for many years, and is a very technically skilled player with superb attitude and a willingness to learn.

His biggest handicap in playing reserves, northern league and national league in previous years was his diminutive size - but as with Marco who was also very small, once the growth comes, you have a real prospect.

In effect he has been through a 10,000 hour apprenticeship with Declan - though there was a fair amount of natural talent there to start with.

I rank him as the pick of Declan's lads - not as physically strogn as Tyler Boyd, but with great skill and excellent football brain. 

Technically I put him alongside the likes of Mike Groom, Declan Edge, Marco Rojas from this part of the country.

But another significant factor in Ryan landing a contract has been his passport status. ie he was eligible for a UK/Euro entry.

For instance, I think the unrelated Adam Thomas is also a very good player (when he is over all his injuries) - but unlike Ryan, is restricted to a NZ passport, so has far fewer options in trying to break into pro ranks.

The Waikato football programmes website is steadily gaining critical mass - I'm toying with using it as a platform to display all full national league programmes through PDF links.

I also have under construction another site, muirpark.weebly.com - a tribute to the former Hamilton football headquarters and it is slowly taking shape.

And of course there is sitterfanzine.weebly.com which should bring back memories for you - unfortunately I lost a lot of the original digital copies of the fanzines a while back, but am slowly scanning and adding a lot of the more feisty stuff. You may find your name there in the near future....


https://www.facebook.com/groups/nzsportsprogrammes

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28 Oct 21:29

Hey Bruce, how does a man get in touch with you off here? Derek.

Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.

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30 Oct 05:52

Ryan's manager says he will  start in the Dutch Cup Thursday morning NZT:

http://www.destentor.nl/sport/voetbal/pec-zwolle/thomas-maakt-debuut-bij-pec-zwolle-1.4072454

THOMAS TO MAKE PEC ZWOLLE DEBUT

October 29, 2013

ZWOLLE - Ryan Thomas will make his debut Wednesday at PEC Zwolle, in the third round of the Cup against Wilhelmina'08 (20:00).

The talent from New Zealand gets from coach Ron Jans a chance in a central role in midfield. Jans thinks Thomas (18) can play between Kamohelo Mokotjo and Mateusz Klich fine. "He's a boy who is constantly in motion. Thomas has only been a few months at Zwolle, but his development has been good." The trainer fits, partly forced, his squad for the game against the Limburg second division. 

Kevin Begois (ankle) , Mustafa Saymak (ankle), Stef Nijland (foot) and Bram Poland (abdomen) are all expected back on the field Thursday. Therefore come Giovanni Gravenbeek, Maikel van der Werff and Bart van Hintum in the preparation. Goalkeeper Mike Hauptmeijer is for the first time on the bench.

From the spying trip to Weert, the technical staff of PEC Zwolle learned that Wilhelmina'08 will be a tough opponent. "That team is too good for the second division. They play with a defensive block of six men and four boys before. For us it is important to play around them, making an early goal and move the ball quickly. "

Line-up: ter Wielen; Gravenbeek, Lachman, Van der Werff and Van Hintum; Mokotjo and Klich, Hiwat, Thomas and Labylle; Benson.





A little piece on Ryan from a leading Dutch football website Oct. 16:

http://www.voetbalinfo.nl/nieuws/81162/pec-zwolle-voegt-nieuw-zeelander-19-toe-aan-selectie/

Ron Jans may have to use Ryan Thomas at PEC Zwolle immediately. The 19-year-old midfielder from New Zealand has been playing this summer at Young PEC Zwolle, but it made such a good impression that the youth is rewarded with a place in the main selection.

Thomas comes from the youth of Wellington Phoenix, the only professional club in New Zealand. The youth is in Zwolle in possession of a one-year contract, with an option for a second season. Technical Director Gerard Nijkamp is pleased with the attacking midfielder.

"He is quickly used to the level and conditions here. Ron Jans is very pleased with him," he told Voetbal International. PEC Zwolle is currently sixth in the Premier League.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apparently, from what I've read elsewhere, a stand-out performance for the first team in a behind-closed-doors friendly against fellow Eredivisie side Heracles three weeks ago lead the Zwolle manager to immediately promote him permanently to the first team. Thomas scored in a 4-4 draw. Match report: 

 http://www.soccernews.nl/news/213394/Veel_goals_in_geheim_treffen_tussen_Heracles_en_PEC_

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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30 Oct 05:58
Big Pete 65 wrote:

Ryan's manager says he will  start in the Dutch Cup Thursday morning NZT:

http://www.destentor.nl/sport/voetbal/pec-zwolle/thomas-maakt-debuut-bij-pec-zwolle-1.4072454

THOMAS TO MAKE PEC ZWOLLE DEBUT

October 29, 2013

ZWOLLE - Ryan Thomas will make his debut Wednesday at PEC Zwolle, in the third round of the Cup against Wilhelmina'08 (20:00).

The talent from New Zealand gets from coach Ron Jans a chance in a central role in midfield. Jans thinks Thomas (18) can play between Kamohelo Mokotjo and Mateusz Klich fine. "He's a boy who is constantly in motion. Thomas has only been a few months at Zwolle, but his development has been good." The trainer fits, partly forced, his squad for the game against the Limburg second division. 

Kevin Begois (ankle) , Mustafa Saymak (ankle), Stef Nijland (foot) and Bram Poland (abdomen) are all expected back on the field Thursday. Therefore come Giovanni Gravenbeek, Maikel van der Werff and Bart van Hintum in the preparation. Goalkeeper Mike Hauptmeijer is for the first time on the bench.

From the spying trip to Weert, the technical staff of PEC Zwolle learned that Wilhelmina'08 will be a tough opponent. "That team is too good for the second division. They play with a defensive block of six men and four boys before. For us it is important to play around them, making an early goal and move the ball quickly. "

Line-up: ter Wielen; Gravenbeek, Lachman, Van der Werff and Van Hintum; Mokotjo and Klich, Hiwat, Thomas and Labylle; Benson.





A little piece on Ryan from a leading Dutch football website Oct. 16:

http://www.voetbalinfo.nl/nieuws/81162/pec-zwolle-voegt-nieuw-zeelander-19-toe-aan-selectie/

Ron Jans may have to use Ryan Thomas at PEC Zwolle immediately. The 19-year-old midfielder from New Zealand has been playing this summer at Young PEC Zwolle, but it made such a good impression that the youth is rewarded with a place in the main selection.

Thomas comes from the youth of Wellington Phoenix, the only professional club in New Zealand. The youth is in Zwolle in possession of a one-year contract, with an option for a second season. Technical Director Gerard Nijkamp is pleased with the attacking midfielder.

"He is quickly used to the level and conditions here. Ron Jans is very pleased with him," he told Voetbal International. PEC Zwolle is currently sixth in the Premier League.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apparently, from what I've read elsewhere, a stand-out performance for the first team in a behind-closed-doors friendly against fellow Eredivisie side Heracles three weeks ago lead the Zwolle manager to immediately promote him permanently to the first team. Thomas scored in a 4-4 draw. Match report: 

 http://www.soccernews.nl/news/213394/Veel_goals_in_geheim_treffen_tussen_Heracles_en_PEC_

Is that correct? I thought he went straight from Ole? Whatever, sounds all good. Better than good.

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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30 Oct 06:47

He went straight from Ole, Phoenix had nothing to do with his development what so ever. 

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30 Oct 10:17

So hes playing behind striker in thier 4-2-3-1 formation then


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30 Oct 10:24

So Jeremy Christie can get selected in an All Whites side and this guy can't.  #SirRicki

Normo's coming home

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30 Oct 18:29
james dean wrote:

So Jeremy Christie can get selected in an All Whites side and this guy can't.  #SirRicki

Have you seen him JD? I get where you are coming from in the Christie thing but this is a boy who is still in a boys body - he is smaller than Marco by far. I too also believe if you are good enough, play him but I think with this one, let him be a pro first and play first team games before we throw him to the wolves.

Grumpy old bastard alert

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30 Oct 19:40

Starting for the first team in the dutch cup this morning and scored the first goal

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30 Oct 20:05

Hello Boy Gorge,

try bhollow@iconz.co.nz



https://www.facebook.com/groups/nzsportsprogrammes

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30 Oct 20:28
Anfieldhard. wrote:

Well done young man!!

+1

Zwolle presently fifth in League, level on points with PSV and one point behind leaders Encshede(sp?). Next 2 games are v PSV & v Enschede. Be great if RT got some league game time.

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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30 Oct 22:47

anyone found a link for the goal/highlights from the game? 

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30 Oct 23:36 · edited 30 Oct 23:48 · History

Interview with Ryan following the game (0.48, 1.55 & 3.05):




Ryan was MoM, with a goal and an assist.




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30 Oct 23:44

Man of the match too nice work. If we somehow qualify he'll no doubt be there. V exciting times seeing thomas & tuiloma doing so well


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31 Oct 00:39

Not a bad debut... a goal and an assist.

Hopefully something hits 3 news about this. 

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31 Oct 00:39

Nice one.Respect Toto.

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31 Oct 01:38
MetalLegNZ wrote:

Hopefully something hits 3 news about this. 


Would be nice would'nt  it? but i'm guessing steven adams will get the headlines, currently making nba debut.
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31 Oct 22:05

Tried to find a youtube clip but no luck.

Did find one of him for Tawa against TW youth though. 2 goals and 2 assists in 45 and he hit the post... looked good!!

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31 Oct 22:42

That was from the Tomorrow's All Whites Camp vs Team Wellington Youth earlier on in the year. 

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01 Nov 10:54

Can someone enlighten me here? I feel like I'm missing something because isn't this quite awesome - 18 yr old Kiwi playing 1st team in Dutch top flight team and getting MOM. I know it was the cup but I haven't seen Howieson, Payne etc do the same for their teams in England. Ricki's selection policies are just bizarre but that's another forum - surely Ryan Thomas needs some huge kudos for what he has achieved


 

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01 Nov 15:55
happydays wrote:

Can someone enlighten me here? I feel like I'm missing something because isn't this quite awesome - 18 yr old Kiwi playing 1st team in Dutch top flight team and getting MOM. I know it was the cup but I haven't seen Howieson, Payne etc do the same for their teams in England. Ricki's selection policies are just bizarre but that's another forum - surely Ryan Thomas needs some huge kudos for what he has achieved


 



+1 Stoked that a Waikato/BOP lad seems to be doing very well, hopefully he can bulk up a bit and be our new Simon Elliott, Steve Sumner, etc
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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01 Nov 16:41
happydays wrote:

Can someone enlighten me here? I feel like I'm missing something because isn't this quite awesome - 18 yr old Kiwi playing 1st team in Dutch top flight team and getting MOM. I know it was the cup but I haven't seen Howieson, Payne etc do the same for their teams in England. Ricki's selection policies are just bizarre but that's another forum - surely Ryan Thomas needs some huge kudos for what he has achieved


 3 days ago the kid had just played a handful of youth team matches for his club. How many of you had him in your starting line up v Mexico then? Give Herbert a wee bit of slack. 

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01 Nov 17:57

What level was the opposition?

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01 Nov 20:08
Marius Lacatus wrote:
happydays wrote:

Can someone enlighten me here? I feel like I'm missing something because isn't this quite awesome - 18 yr old Kiwi playing 1st team in Dutch top flight team and getting MOM. I know it was the cup but I haven't seen Howieson, Payne etc do the same for their teams in England. Ricki's selection policies are just bizarre but that's another forum - surely Ryan Thomas needs some huge kudos for what he has achieved


 3 days ago the kid had just played a handful of youth team matches for his club. How many of you had him in your starting line up v Mexico then? Give Herbert a wee bit of slack. 

100% this Marius - great post. What if he never plays another game in the first team? He has talent, let's give it a few games to see if he is the real deal before we start tossing Ricki to the wolves. 

Grumpy old bastard alert

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01 Nov 20:52
Sanday wrote:

What level was the opposition?


Wilhelmina '08. They are in the  second class division. This is the fourth highest level of amateur football in the Netherlands.

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01 Nov 22:12
Big Homie wrote:
Sanday wrote:

What level was the opposition?


Wilhelmina '08. They are in the  second class division. This is the fourth highest level of amateur football in the Netherlands.



I see.Any idea how that compares to NZ football?
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01 Nov 22:59

This is a top effort, never mind the level he was playing against, after only being at the club for a couple of months and getting a run with the first team is awesome, scoring a goal and getting assist can only help with his confidence to play at the top level. 

Think its early days regarding getting him into the AW, hopefully by the end of the session he would have be getting regular game time with them then maybe get him in. I agree with some of the comments about Payne and Howieson at club not getting a look in but they are for the AW level. 

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01 Nov 23:04
Sanday wrote:
Big Homie wrote:
Sanday wrote:

What level was the opposition?


Wilhelmina '08. They are in the  second class division. This is the fourth highest level of amateur football in the Netherlands.



I see.Any idea how that compares to NZ football?

Sorry Sanday no idea how this compares to NZ Football (just found some info on wiki). I do think regardless of the opposition, getting a start for a eredivise team is quite an achievement in his first season in a professional environment. It's a good starting point, hopefully he can keep pushing for more game time with the first team.
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