Thomas targeting successful return to Gloucester – starting with lifting the Severn Sport Shield
Returning Gloucester City defender Keiran Thomas believes that lifting the Severn Sport Shield on Saturday could be the start of a successful season for the club.
Thomas secured his long-awaited return to the Tigers in the summer and the defender admits it was an easy decision to swap the seaside sights of Weston-super-Mare for the TigerTurf Stadium in the end.
“I’m really happy to be back with the boys and be at the club that I’ve wanted to be at for a while now, so I’m glad to be back,” said Thomas.
“It was an easy decision for me, I wanted to come back. I really enjoyed my time at Weston, they are a brilliant club and we had some really good times together, but I always knew that I wanted to come back to City and I’m really glad it’s happened,” Thomas added.
The news of Thomas’ return, one of a many signings that were announced early into pre-season, saw Gloucester City fans rejoice to see their former captain finally returning and Thomas spoke about the support he has received since the news was announced.
“It’s been amazing. When it got announced I was coming back, the fans were there with the comments and messages of support I’ve received and it means a lot.
I know a lot of the fans, which makes it even more personal for me, but no it’s really nice to see,” said Thomas
Thomas was speaking to Severn Sport after Gloucester secured their play in Saturday’s Severn Sport Shield final, beating Fairford Town 2-1 in the first Semi Final on Tuesday night.
The result comes after City got their pre-season underway with a 2-0 win at Tuffley Rovers on Saturday and it has been refreshing to see Daf Williams’ side playing with a higher tempo and clear patterns of play – despite still utilising a number of trialists.
And after the first two friendlies now under their belt, Thomas revealed that the group of players – including himself- are reacting well to how the new Manager wants his side to play.
“We have had lots of trialists in, but overall I think it’s [pre-season so far] been good and we’re playing some good stuff,” said Thomas.
“Daf has come in and told us how he wants us to play and we’re now trying to do that in the games – obviously, it will take some getting used to, but for me, it’s been good.
He’s told me what he wants from me in the team and hopefully I can continue to do that for him,” Thomas added.
City will now face the winner of Wednesday night’s Semi Final, between Bishops Cleeve and Longlevens, on Saturday afternoon and would become the first side to win the Severn Sport Shield twice, having been victorious in the inaugural competition back in 2018.
Ahead of the second Semi Final, Thomas admits that he expects another tough run-out at the weekend and says the players will be looking to win the competition.
“Whoever we play on Saturday, Cleeve or Longlevens, it’s going to be a tough game.
It’s a final at the end of the day, whether it’s a pre-season friendly or not, it’s a trophy on the line, so we will definitely want to go in and win it,” said Thomas.
We then asked Thomas about his target for the season and he gave us a simple and definitive response:
“Promotion. That’s our aim. Everyone associated with the club wants that and as a squad it’s what we want to do,” Thomas stated.
Bishops Cleeve take on Longlevens in the Severn Sport Shield Second Semi Final tonight, kick off at the TigerTurf Stadium; 19:45
Gloucester City will take on the winner on Saturday at 15:30; whilst the loser will play Fairford Town in the Third Place Play-off at 12
Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
