Mā te wā Thomson, ‘Thomo’: A legend on & off the field

It is with mixed emotions that we announce to our footballing community the upcoming farewell of our treasured Football Development Coach and Men’s First Team player, Thomson "Thomo" Nkoy. Thomson is swapping our shores for the sunny skies of Brisbane to join his partner.

Since 2022, Thomson has been a transformative presence at East Coast Bays. While his tenure may seem brief, his impact has been monumental. He's not only been a standout player but also a phenomenal coach, especially for our young members.

Over the past three years, Thomson has been a linchpin in our Men’s First Team, helping us climb to the Northern League. In 2023, his exceptional contributions were recognised with the Club Player of the Year award. But it’s not just on the field where Thomson has shone; he’s also been a superstar coach, bringing energy and positivity to every team and programme he’s been a part of, including the U12 team coach, U13 & U14 championship coach, lead for our Minibays programme, Junior & Youth Skill hub coach, school holiday programme coach and school programme coach.

Thomson's infectious positivity has made him a favourite among players, coaches, and volunteers alike. His ability to light up a room and his knack for building strong relationships have left an indelible mark on our club. He's even gathered a fan club of young players who cheer him on from the sidelines!

Morag Ward, our U17 grade convenor, summed it up perfectly: “So positive, enthusiastic, a role model for all football players – young and old. Always smiling! Gutted for us, but lucky for Brisbane!”

Our Director of Football and Men’s First Team head coach, Joe Hall, also had high praise: “Thomson has been an integral part of the coaching team during his time at ECB. It’s been a pleasure to see him grow as a coach and help so many players improve their game throughout the age groups. It’s been great to see him carry that attitude into his role as a highly popular member of the ECB men’s first team, where he plays with fire, fun, and a clear desire to improve himself. We wish him all the very best for the future. Thank you, Thomson.”

For Thomson, he says it’s hard to find the words to encapsulate his experience at East Coast Bays: “Three years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have been lucky enough to work, coach, and play with some incredible people. So I would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone that has made my time here enjoyable – all of the board members, coaches, convenors, players, and especially Joe. It’s been a pleasure getting to see the work and attention to detail to make sure East Coast Bays is heading in the right direction. Being a part of the junior and youth programmes that have helped players enjoy their football has been a highlight of my time at the club. I leave East Coast Bays having worked with a group of players and parents that I will not forget any time soon. I wish nothing but success for East Coast Bays for the remainder of 2024 and into the future. I’ll miss you all. Thank you for welcoming me into the Bays family.”

From our board, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Thomson for his enthusiasm, commitment, and leadership. He has truly embodied our club’s values and made a lasting positive influence on our junior and youth members. We wish him all the very best in Brisbane and in his future endeavours – and there’ll no doubt be a very lucky Australian club to score him.

Thomson’s last game for the Mighty Bays will be a home game on Saturday, 3 August, against Auckland United at Bay City Park. Let’s pack the stands and give him the send-off he deserves, thanking him for the incredible impact he’s had on our community and especially on our younger members.

Rather than ‘goodbye’, let’s say ‘Mā te wā’, see you later – when you visit us or decide to return home some day.

Ngā mihi nui
East Coast Bays AFC Board