Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle | Netherlands)

New Reply
3
Big Pete 65
Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
almost 16 years
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.
October 22, 2013 13:50
Jerzy Merino
Marquee
970
·
6.5K
·
over 11 years


Quite right. Forgot about dear old Fred.

October 22, 2013 13:52
Marto
Starting XI
2.1K
·
4.8K
·
almost 17 years
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.
October 22, 2013 23:00
Cordwainer Bull
·
WeeNix
280
·
630
·
over 16 years

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.



October 23, 2013 11:50
The Jam
First Team Squad
270
·
1.9K
·
about 17 years

Bruce, you forgot Kevin Birch....

October 23, 2013 14:17
Khalil Media
First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
almost 15 years

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...

October 23, 2013 15:58
watching_from_far
WeeNix
390
·
910
·
about 11 years

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

October 23, 2013 20:58
Big Pete 65
Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
almost 16 years
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...
October 23, 2013 22:52
Cordwainer Bull
·
WeeNix
280
·
630
·
over 16 years

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....


October 24, 2013 19:56
afc10
Trialist
1
·
13
·
over 10 years

http://www.peczwolle.nl/nl/spelers-en-staf good to see him on the squad list! 

October 26, 2013 16:20
abris
First Team Squad
2
·
1.8K
·
about 14 years

unused again in today s game

http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/367042/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901

October 28, 2013 04:15
The Jam
First Team Squad
270
·
1.9K
·
about 17 years

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

October 29, 2013 10:29
Big Pete 65
Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
almost 16 years

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_

October 30, 2013 18:52
Jerzy Merino
Marquee
970
·
6.5K
·
over 11 years
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.

October 30, 2013 18:58
afc10
Trialist
1
·
13
·
over 10 years

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

October 30, 2013 19:47
Big Pete 65
Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
almost 16 years

Audio interview with Ryan Thomas by Jason Pine a month ago about life at PEC Zwolle:

https://soundcloud.com/levi-rossi/ryan-thomas-september-28

October 30, 2013 20:53
TV
On probation
250
·
4.2K
·
over 13 years

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

October 30, 2013 23:17
james dean
·
Marquee
2.1K
·
8.2K
·
about 17 years

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

October 30, 2013 23:24
Jeff Vader
Cock
2.7K
·
16K
·
almost 15 years
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.
October 31, 2013 07:29
Wilshere10
Trialist
0
·
23
·
over 14 years

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

October 31, 2013 08:40
Cordwainer Bull
·
WeeNix
280
·
630
·
over 16 years

Hello Boy Gorge,

try [email protected]



October 31, 2013 09:05
Anfieldhard.
Trialist
4
·
62
·
almost 17 years

Well done young man!!

http://espnfc.com/en/gamecast/statistics/id/381834/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=3436

Should be some highlights here, later onhttp://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=228188&part=sports

October 31, 2013 09:15
Jerzy Merino
Marquee
970
·
6.5K
·
over 11 years
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.

October 31, 2013 09:28
afc10
Trialist
1
·
13
·
over 10 years

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

October 31, 2013 11:47
Wibblebutt
·
Overseas
620
·
2.7K
·
almost 17 years

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




Ryan was MoM, with a goal and an assist.

October 31, 2013 12:36 · Edited October 31, 2013 12:48
TV
On probation
250
·
4.2K
·
over 13 years

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

October 31, 2013 12:44
MetalLegNZ
Marquee
4K
·
5.5K
·
almost 12 years

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

Hopefully something hits 3 news about this. 

October 31, 2013 13:39
Sanday
Marquee
300
·
5K
·
about 17 years

Nice one.Respect Toto.

October 31, 2013 13:39
Anfieldhard.
Trialist
4
·
62
·
almost 17 years
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.
October 31, 2013 14:38
MetalLegNZ
Marquee
4K
·
5.5K
·
almost 12 years

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!!

November 01, 2013 11:05
afc10
Trialist
1
·
13
·
over 10 years

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

November 01, 2013 11:42
happydays
Phoenix Academy
240
·
360
·
over 10 years

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


 

November 01, 2013 23:54
Marto
Starting XI
2.1K
·
4.8K
·
almost 17 years
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
November 02, 2013 04:55
Marius Lacatus
Starting XI
2
·
3.1K
·
about 17 years
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. 

November 02, 2013 05:41
Sanday
Marquee
300
·
5K
·
about 17 years

What level was the opposition?

November 02, 2013 06:57
Jeff Vader
Cock
2.7K
·
16K
·
almost 15 years
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. 
November 02, 2013 09:08
Big Homie
Trialist
0
·
28
·
almost 11 years
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.

November 02, 2013 09:52
Sanday
Marquee
300
·
5K
·
about 17 years
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?
November 02, 2013 11:12
watching_from_far
WeeNix
390
·
910
·
about 11 years

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. 

November 02, 2013 11:59
Big Homie
Trialist
0
·
28
·
almost 11 years
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.
November 02, 2013 12:04
New Reply
3

Back to top

You’ll need an account to join the conversation!

Sign in Sign up