‘Right time’ – Legend departs Welsh football club after 15 years

Welsh football club stalwart Darren Thomas has announced he will leave Caernarfon Town immediately after 15 years at the club.

The 39-year-old had initially signed a new contract with the club this summer, but has now decided to move on from The Oval in a bid to prolong his playing career and secure more regular game time.

In a statement on their Fanbase, the Cofi captain described it as “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make”, with the midfielder departing in search of regular first-team football.

“The team and club are in a really good place, and I just want to play a bit more than I have been recently, so I think it’s the right time to leave.”

Thomas makes surprise Caernarfon Town exit

Thomas has found opportunities limited this term, featuring as an unused substitute before making a handful of short appearances off the bench in the Cymru Premier.

He did, however, lead the side on a European night against Levadia Tallinn, captaining the Cofi in the second leg and starting from the off.

The midfielder, affectionately known as the ‘Cofi Messi’, has made over 400 appearances for the club across two spells and has been a key part of the Cofis’ rise over the past decade.

When he first joined Caernarfon in 2005, Thomas made just one appearance before moving on to Llangefni Town and Porthmadog. He returned to the Cofis in 2013, going on to make the bulk of his appearances for the club.

He has helped Caernarfon win titles and trophies, qualify for Europe and, most notably, lift the Welsh Cup for the first time.

“I have been really proud to be captain these past few years and playing in Europe and winning the Welsh Cup for the first time have been the highlights! I joined the club because I wanted to win the Welsh Cup so that was a dream come true!”

Thomas’ connection with the club goes back much further than his playing career.

“When I was a young boy, growing up in Ysgubor Goch, I could hear the crowd at the Oval from where I lived. I used to play football in the street in front of my home, and as a Cofi all I wanted to do was play for the team.”

The 39-year-old has scored more than 150 goals, while his strike against The New Saints in the 2014/15 Welsh Cup was named Sgorio’s Goal of the Decade.

‘To pull on the shirt has meant everything to me’ – Welsh football legend Darren Thomas

Reflecting on what wearing the yellow and green has meant to him, Thomas said: “I’m not one to share my emotions, but to pull on the shirt, walk out in front of the fans at the Oval and represent Caernarfon has meant everything to me.”

He also paid tribute to the Cofi Army, who have backed him throughout his career.

“The fans have been amazing – the Cofi Army has always supported me and playing in front of them has meant a lot. I’ve got lots of friends who follow the team, and I’ll be back here to join them whenever I can to shout the boys on!”

Thomas leaves the club with more than 400 appearances, over 150 goals and a long list of memories, having established himself as not only a Caernarfon legend, but one of the most recognisable figures of the domestic game in Cymru.

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved at the club over the past fifteen years. The players, staff and especially the fans.”

There is, however, one final appearance still to come.

“I think I’m still getting my testimonial (!) so I’ll get to play in the shirt for a final appearance, which I’m sure will be enjoyable but emotional too!”

Caernarfon take on Trefelin BGC on Friday evening in the Cymru Premier, where the Cofi Army will no doubt make their appreciation for one of the club’s modern greats heard.