Nineteen-year-old Jack Thomas joined the Albion during the summer of 1910 after impressing with Spennymoor United, champions of the North Eastern League in 1909-10, but, although he scored regularly for the reserves, he didn’t enjoy the best of health during his time at the Goldstone and was unable to maintain a place in the first team.
Transferred to Newcastle United for a £25 fee in June 1911, Jack appeared just once in their First Division side, in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, before returning to Spennymoor United in May 1912.