Cardiff City starlet finds new home in the Cymru Premier
A general view of Jenner Park stadium, home of Barry Town United and Cardiff Airport. (Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Barry Town United have signed goalkeeper Joe Thomas following his departure from Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds announced their retained list in mid-June, with Thomas announced as one of five youngsters who would be departing the EFL League One club this summer.
Thomas signed a professional contract with Cardiff in the summer of 2024 and had a loan spell with Yate Town in the Southern Football League Division One South and West, before he departed from the Cardiff City Stadium. He had been part of Cardiff’s U18 and U21 sides.
He has some experience of Welsh domestic football, having played for Cardiff in the Nathaniel MG Cup in the 2023/24 campaign. He acted as a back-up goalkeeper during the season in which they reached the semi-finals, with former Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper Matt Turner picked ahead of him.
Before joining Cardiff, Thomas played one game in the JD Cymru South for Cwmbran Celtic. He had also been on the bench as an unused substitute for the Torfaen-based side during the 2021/22 campaign.
Joe’s a great young keeper with a lot of ability and hunger to improve,” said Steve Jenkins, Barry’s Head of Football.
“He’s got a real presence about him, and we’re excited to see how he develops with us. It’s a really strong addition for the squad.”
Cardiff City goalkeeper opens up on Barry Town move
“I’m really excited to be here,” said Thomas on the official club website.
“Barry’s a massive club with big ambitions, and as soon as I spoke to the staff, I knew this was the right place for me. I’m looking forward to getting started and showing the fans what I can do.”
He will provide stern competition to George Ratcliffe, who was also on the books of Cardiff City. Ratcliffe returned to the Linnets in mid-June, departing the Connah’s Quay Nomads after a year at the Essity Stadium.
Ratcliffe had a loan spell with Barry during the 2019/20 season, keeping four clean sheets in 14 matches. He would depart Cardiff in 2022, linking up with Pontypridd United, and later the Nomads. Last year he kept 10 clean sheets in 30 league matches.
The arrivals of Ratcliffe and Thomas sees a change between the sticks for Barry after both Liam Armstrong and Luc Rees left the Vale of Glamorgan club. Armstrong has headed to Larkhall Athletic, whilst Rees will embark on a European campaign with Haverfordwest County.
In other news concerning Barry Town, legendary striker Kayne McLaggon, meanwhile, has decided to prolong his playing career by signing with Newport City in the JD Cymru South. It was announced in April that McLaggon would be leaving Jenner Park, and now he will reunite with Josh Graham and Luke Cooper, whom he crossed paths with at Barry.
The home town striker Kayne McLaggon spent eight seasons at Jenner Park, making nearly 250 appearances for the club. He was a regular stream of goals for Barry, where he was their top scorer for six consecutive seasons after signing in 2017.
Aiden Lewis also said his goodbyes this summer; meanwhile, Sam Snaith has left for Briton Ferry Llansawel, and Harrison Bright and Josh Yorwerth both headed to newly promoted Llanelli Town.
