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.
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. After making just 10 appearances during his first two full seasons at Layer Road, 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. Pinault remained with Colchester United until his contract expired at the end of the 2003–04 season, by which time he had made 157 appearances and scored seven goals for the club.
Grimsby Town After an unsuccessful trial with Dundee United and turning down a contract from Northampton Town, Pinault signed a one-year contract with League Two club Grimsby Town on a free transfer in July 2004. Pinault was a regular in the team during the 2004–05 season, making 47 appearances and scoring seven goals, 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. He was released at the end of the 2004–05 season. In 2006, Pinault's remarks about his time at Blundell Park were chosen as one of BBC Sport's Quotes of the Year:
Brentford After a year out of football with an ankle ligament injury, Pinault returned to England sign a one-year contract with League One club Brentford on a free transfer in July 2006. Despite being transfer-listed by incoming manager Scott Fitzgerald in December 2006, Pinault remained at Griffin Park for the duration of the 2006–07 season and made 37 appearances, scoring one goal. He was released in June 2007, after Brentford's relegation to League Two was confirmed.
Crawley Town Pinault joined Conference Premier club Crawley Town on a one-year contract in July 2007. Through successive one-year extensions of his contract, he remained at the Broadfield Stadium for three seasons and made 128 appearances for the club. Pinault rejected a new contract and left Crawley at the end of the 2009–10 season.
RC Grasse Early in the 2010–11 season, Pinault returned to France to join hometown Championnat de France Amateur 2 club RC Grasse. He remained at the Stade Jean Girard until his retirement at the end of the 2012–13 season.
Personal life Thomas is the brother of footballer Clément Pinault. After retiring from football, he became an estate agent.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsColchester United1999-00Second Division40001000502000–01Second Division51000000512001–02Second Division42020202Appearances in Football League Trophy04802002–03Second Division4241010104542003–04Second Division400702151542Total133510061811577Grimsby Town2004–05League Two437102010477Brentford2006–07League One271102010311Crawley Town2007–08Conference Premier414002063 appearances in FA Trophy, 3 appearances in Sussex Senior Cup04942008–09Conference Premier28310212Appearances in FA Trophy03342009–10Conference Premier40120―42 appearances in FA Trophy, 2 appearances in Sussex Senior Cup0461Total109830411201289RC Grasse2012–13Championnat de France amateur 223200――232Career total3352915014222138632
Honours Colchester United Harwich Charity Cup Centenary Shield: 1999
References
External links