Zeph Thomas, a 36-year-old winger and former St Kitts and Nevis international, has made 39 moves between 29 clubs across five countries since leaving Rotherham United in 2008. Now player-manager of ninth-tier Dearne & District, he is preparing the South Yorkshire club for its first FA Cup match, highlighting the team’s rapid rise from local Saturday-league football.

Thomas says he often moved for better pay and acknowledges that a poor attitude contributed to his release from Rotherham without a senior appearance. His career included spells in England, Scotland, the United States, Canada and Belgium, while Dearne & District won the Northern Counties East League First Division last season after joining the Doncaster Saturday League in 2021.