Just two years later, with barely a dozen First Division games behind him, Leeds manager Don Revie was moved to enthuse that the youngster was the finest talent in Britain and possibly Europe.

David was a fine allround sportsman, but excelled at football and spent his childhood in West Auckland, where his skills were soon being noted at Barnard Castle School and whilst representing Bishop Auckland Schoolboys.

He was invited for trials to both Blackpool and Preston, but it was Burnley who won him over, a decision influenced by Thomas' TV memories of Ray Pointer in the 1962 FA Cup Final.

After signing on Schoolboy Forms, Dave won his first international honour as a Burnley player, representing England Schools against Northern Ireland at Birmingham in April 1966.

He signed as an apprentice professional at Turf Moor later that summer immediately making his reserve team debut at outside left in a victory against Bury. His ease on the ball, his ability to take on defenders and his powerful left foot shot ensured that he became a regular in the Clarets' Central League side, waiting patiently for his time to arrive.

The call from Manager Harry Potts came before the last match of the season against Everton at Turf Moor. Ralph Coates was injured and Thomas was handed the number 11 shirt for his Division One debut on May 13^th 1967.

At 16-years and 220 days old, he was Burnley's youngest ever First Division player and Club's second youngest debutant of all time, just 46 days older than Tommy Lawton, who burst onto the scene three decades before.

In the following season, he helped the Youth Team to the FA Youth Cup victory and made an occasional appearance in the First Division before earning a regular place after the sale of Willie Morgan to Manchester United.

It was in October of 1968 that the mighty Leeds, destined to win the League Championship, came up against the 'Burnley Babes' at Turf Moor. Their tormentor in chief was Thomas and his performance in a 5-1 win had Revie in raptures.

Thomas went on to win a cap for the England Under 23 team, still short of his 20^th birthday. The England team beat Bulgaria by 4-1 at Plymouth and his team-mates included Peter Shilton, Tony Currie, Emlyn Hughes and Martin Dobson.

Following Burnley's relegation in 1971 and the emergence of Leighton James, Thomas lost his place in the team for a time and there were rumours of a fall out with Jimmy Adamson, with Thomas apparently asked to play in midfield rather than on the wing.

Matters came to a head in the 1972/73 season, when after playing an important part in Burnley's unbeaten start, Thomas lost his place in the side after a 2-2 draw with Luton. He was never to play for Burnley again.

The club he chose was somewhat surprising, with fellow Second Division side Queens Park Rangers his destination. The R's paid £165,000 for his services and he repaid them by helping the west London outfit to promotion in 1973, as runner s up to Burnley.

It was whilst at Loftus Road that Dave won the first of his eight England caps, appearing as a substitute for Frank Worthington in a 3-0 victory over Czechoslovakia at Wembley. Within minutes of his arrival, Thomas produced the cross for Mike Channon to power home a header.

In 1975/76, Thomas was a virtual ever present, as Rangers chased Liverpool to the wire and eventually finished second, whilst the Clarets were relegated.

Thomas returned north in 1977 for £200,000, joining Everton. He helped the Toffees to third place in the First Division before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He lasted just over a year at Molineux before being released.

After a short spell in Canada, he returned to England with Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, whom he helped to the Third Division title in 1982.