Thomas Pinault

Thomas Pinault (born 4 December 1981) is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Colchester United, Grimsby Town and Brentford, and his native country for Cannes and RC Grasse.

Thomas Pinault
Personal information
Full nameThomas Pinault[1]
Date of birth (1981-12-04) 4 December 1981 (age 42)
Place of birthGrasse, France
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s)Midfielder
Youth career
0000–1998Cannes
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1998–1999Cannes0(0)
1999–2004Colchester United133(5)
2004–2005Grimsby Town43(7)
2006–2007Brentford27(1)
2007–2010Crawley Town108(8)
2010–2013RC Grasse
Total311(21)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Colchester United

A product of the Cannes youth system, Pinault moved to England to join Second Division club Colchester United on a free transfer in June 1999.[3][4] After making just 10 appearances during his first two full seasons at Layer Road,[5][6] he broke into the first team squad during the 2001–02 season and signed a new two-and-a-half year contract in October 2001.[7][8] Pinault remained with Colchester United until his contract expired at the end of the 2003–04 season,[4] by which time he had made 157 appearances and scored seven goals for the club.[9]

Grimsby Town

After an unsuccessful trial with Dundee United and turning down a contract from Northampton Town,[10] Pinault signed a one-year contract with League Two club Grimsby Town on a free transfer in July 2004.[11] Pinault was a regular in the team during the 2004–05 season, making 47 appearances and scoring seven goals,[12] but his relationship with manager Russell Slade deteriorated after he was "singled-out for criticism" by Slade for his defensive performance during a 2–2 draw with Notts County late in the season.[13] He was released at the end of the 2004–05 season.[14] In 2006, Pinault's remarks about his time at Blundell Park were chosen as one of BBC Sport's Quotes of the Year:[15]

Brentford

After a year out of football with an ankle ligament injury,[16] Pinault returned to England sign a one-year contract with League One club Brentford on a free transfer in July 2006.[17] Despite being transfer-listed by incoming manager Scott Fitzgerald in December 2006,[18] Pinault remained at Griffin Park for the duration of the 2006–07 season and made 37 appearances, scoring one goal.[19] He was released in June 2007,[20] after Brentford's relegation to League Two was confirmed.[21]

Crawley Town

Pinault joined Conference Premier club Crawley Town on a one-year contract in July 2007.[22] Through successive one-year extensions of his contract,[23][24] he remained at the Broadfield Stadium for three seasons and made over 110 appearances for the club.[9] Pinault rejected a new contract and left Crawley at the end of the 2009–10 season.[25]

RC Grasse

Early in the 2010–11 season, Pinault returned to France to join hometown Championnat de France Amateur 2 club RC Grasse.[26] He remained at the Stade Jean Girard until his retirement at the end of the 2012–13 season.[27]

Personal life

Thomas is the brother of footballer Clément Pinault.[28] After retiring from football, he became an estate agent.[29]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Colchester United1999-00[5]Second Division4000100050
2000–01[6]5100000051
2001–02[7]42020202[a]0480
2002–03[30]42410101[a]0454
2003–04[31]40070215[a]1542
Total133510061811577
Grimsby Town2004–05[12]League Two43710201[a]0477
Brentford2006–07[19]League One27110201[a]0311
Crawley Town2007–08[32]Conference Premier414001[b]0434
2008–09[33]2831000283
2009–10[27]4012000401
Total109830101138
RC Grasse2012–13[27]Championnat de France amateur 223200232
Career total3352915010111137131

Honours

Colchester United

  • Harwich Charity Cup Centenary Shield: 1999[34]

References

Thomas Pinault at Soccerbase