Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle | Netherlands)

Happy birthday Thomas.

Third Eredivisie appearance of the season for Ryan Thomas and his first for nearly two months (yes, there was a minor injury setback in between)

Coincidentally, this game happened on the night of his 30th birthday 🎂 #FlyingKiwis https://t.co/XxkFLWEvtq

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 20, 2024

He really needs to lose that horrible slug.

Zwolle (13th) host NEC (12th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/11/netherlands/eredivisie/bvo-fc-zwolle/nijmegen-eendracht-combinatie/4368208/

Thomas on the pine

Came on in the 74th minute, good to see him getting minutes for the second match in a row.

He keeps this up and he'd have to be in contention for the aws. He'd be a very good senior to have come of the bench! 

Elemenop

He keeps this up and he'd have to be in contention for the aws. He'd be a very good senior to have come of the bench! 

He will give the Match window a miss, plus we don’t need him

But if he finishes the Eredivisie season healthy, he’ll be in contention from June onwards. 

With the WC then only 12 mths and him not playing for the AWs by then nearly 6 years, he needs to make himself available to Bazeley this year to be a chance for 2026

FYI - Zwolle lost 0-1

Battle clubs of Thomas, past & present

Zwolle (14th) host PSV (1st)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/18/netherlands/eredivisie/bvo-fc-zwolle/psv-nv/4368222/

What a win for Zwolle, 3-1 against top of the table PSV, a shame Thomas didn’t get any minutes for the third straight match and against his former club though.

I think people are dreaming if they think we'll ever see him again in white (or black). It's clear he's done physically so why would an AW coach waste a spot on someone who is just about never fit over someone who is, even if he's not as good. 

Has anyone seen Thomas play recently? Hes probably not the player we all remember due to his injuries too.

Both him and Rojas were awesome in their fit primes but both are spent forces now as pro footballers. 

Nix were mad to think Marco would be a dependable signing given his recent history and I imagine that Thomas will struggle to get another pro contract when this one expires.

Marto

I think people are dreaming if they think we'll ever see him again in white (or black). It's clear he's done physically so why would an AW coach waste a spot on someone who is just about never fit over someone who is, even if he's not as good. 

Has anyone seen Thomas play recently? Hes probably not the player we all remember due to his injuries too.

Both him and Rojas were awesome in their fit primes but both are spent forces now as pro footballers. 

Nix were mad to think Marco would be a dependable signing given his recent history and I imagine that Thomas will struggle to get another pro contract when this one expires.

Still holding out hope Thomas can make it into that 2026 squad.

Even if he’s not in the starting squads, he will be good to have off the bench with his experience.

After the WC (Thomas will be 31 by then) I am more than happy for him to call time on his international career and just focus on his club career, or even if he just wants to hang up his boots altogether, but at least we got to see him in an AWs jersey one final time.

Going to a WC is a proud way to end any national team or general football career.

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

Realistically most of our starting line up outside the A league is riding the pine in Europe

MetalLegNZ

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

This! We had unattached FC at the world cup!

He should be in the WC spot. I'd love him coming on in the last 10mins of a game to calm the farm.

Elemenop

MetalLegNZ

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

This! We had unattached FC at the world cup!

He should be in the WC spot. I'd love him coming on in the last 10mins of a game to calm the farm.

Nek minnit, All Whites hanging on valiantly for a draw in their opening World Cup match. Ten mins to go, Ryan Thomas comes on to lock the match down. But, like Stevie G vs United, he has a mental, gets sent off. 

Manager says. "Fudge my life".

Zwolle (13th) travel to Fortuna Sittard (8th)

Elemenop

MetalLegNZ

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

This! We had unattached FC at the world cup!

He should be in the WC spot. I'd love him coming on in the last 10mins of a game to calm the farm.

Thankfully those days are gone. All players going to USA 2026 should be there on current form,merit and fitness, not past glories.

Marto

Elemenop

MetalLegNZ

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

This! We had unattached FC at the world cup!

He should be in the WC spot. I'd love him coming on in the last 10mins of a game to calm the farm.

Thankfully those days are gone. All players going to USA 2026 should be there on current form,merit and fitness, not past glories.

Agree... but this doesn't always happen.

Tommy Smith picked due to his leadership etc.

Off the bench at 78 mins (3-1) and provides the assist for Zwolle's 4th goal in a 4-1 win. Noice.

Sittard had gone down to 10 men at 74 mins (3-1)

Match highlights here. At about 4.30 mins is the final goal, that Zwolle score on the counter.

Nice pinpoint pass from Thomas (he had lots of time) to find his team mate near the top of the penalty box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlsjhkkvqzk

 

coochiee

Match highlights here. At about 4.30 mins is the final goal, that Zwolle score on the counter.

Nice pinpoint pass from Thomas (he had lots of time) to find his team mate near the top of the penalty box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlsjhkkvqzk

 

Thomas guest contract at the Nix on a loan spell for the rest of the season? Can have a few months back in NZ, but doesn’t have to come for the whole season. No sillier than Marco! 

Marco know the ALM well, and has starred in the league.

Get the feeling homebody Ryan has very minimal connection to NZ these days. English born parents back in the UK?? Hasn't played for AWs in over 5 years. His old mate Tyler Boyd with the Americans. Another very close friend Jessie Edge somewhere in Europe. Dutch wife & kids. 

When was the last time Thomas was in Aotearoa? I remember him dropping into Ole for a visit(s), when mentor Declan was still there. But he's already made it clear the Netherlands will be home post retirement.

Most importantly the medical staff at Zwolle will know his body inside out, and that's big for him as he tries to etch a few more years out of his injury plagued carcass. He may leave Zwolle at season end, but doubt he'll move far from Holland.

Medical teams can talk to one another and we do have first rate facilities.

His contract ends this year no? - Maybe they would like to see him get more mins in the legs before deciding what is next for him.

Apparently Zwolle have a pretty young squad, and Thomas's experience is obviously valued. Clearly a club legend with his 2 goals in that Dutch Cup final over Ajax, getting them some rare silverware.

If he has another season there, it could be a pay for play type deal. With a view to eventually moving into an off the field role at the club.

Bit of a what if story... 

Much like Chris James :( 

Zwolle (13th) Utrecht (3rd). Whatever happened to the Kiwi groundsman at Utrecht FC that was on here for awhile?

Unused sub in a 3-3 draw.

Elemenop

Marto

Elemenop

MetalLegNZ

He's not spent as a footballer. 

A fre years ago we would love a kiwi riding the pine in the Dutch premier division and getting occasional minutes.

This! We had unattached FC at the world cup!

He should be in the WC spot. I'd love him coming on in the last 10mins of a game to calm the farm.

Thankfully those days are gone. All players going to USA 2026 should be there on current form,merit and fitness, not past glories.

Agree... but this doesn't always happen.

Tommy Smith picked due to his leadership etc.

Last window I was in total agreement but he's been solid for AFC so I have less concerns over him playing in the next window or two.

Zwolle (12th) travel to AZ (4th)

Seems like he got a decent 20 odd mins. 

I'll keep saying it - but he should be in the AWs squad. Up to him based on his injuries. But he brings quality, leadership and experience in big games. 

Maybe close to 30 mins. On at 66' (2-0) in a 2-0 loss.
Zwolle 13th, and only 4 pts above the relegation playoff spot.

Zwolle (13th) host Heerenveen (9th)

On at 69 mins (1-1) in a 1-1 draw

Zwolle (13th) travel to Heracles (15th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/03/02/netherlands/eredivisie/stichting-heracles-almelo/bvo-fc-zwolle/4368310/

Edit - Thomas on the pine.

Off the pine at 67 mins (4-2) in a 4-2 loss.
Getting some good mins now.

Zwolle (14th) travel to Ajax (1st). Ajax back at the top of Dutch football, after a bad last season.

And there it is. Thomas's first Eredivisie start in 15 months (Dec 2023).
Maybe his coach thinks his name on the team sheet will give Ajax some jitters. 

10 years and 11 months, since his famous double against Ajax in the Dutch Cup final.

They lose 1nil
Thomas off at 55mins, most he has played this season and hopefully off due to fitness not injury, Ajax score not long after he is subbed

YellowAndBlack

They lose 1nil
Thomas off at 55mins, most he has played this season and hopefully off due to fitness not injury, Ajax score not long after he is subbed

According to Transfermarkt, it thankfully seemed to be tactical, they would definitely note if it was injury related.

Screenshot 2025-03-10 105607.png 217.25 KB

Looks like the only injury enforced change for Zwolle was in the 80th minute for the guy who actually came on for Thomas, Nick Fichtinger.

Screenshot 2025-03-10 110939.png 235.95 KB