When Luke Thomas last played a competitive match for Bristol Rovers, the club had just beaten Scunthorpe United 7-0 to secure promotion from League Two at the first time of asking in the most dramatic of fashions.
Collectively, celebrations were widespread as the Gas managed to produce one of the most spectacular moments in recent Football League history. However, personally for Thomas it saw the end of a loan spell that, of his own admittance, saw limited contribution.
Failing to score a league goal with his only effort coming in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea U21s in the EFL Trophy whilst providing five assists in the fourth tier, the winger wasn't showing the quality that had convinced Derby County to hand him his senior debut or what convinced Barnsley to purchase him from the Rams in 2019.
Since, he has admitted that off-field issues contributed to his form that campaign but for Rovers, having been born in the west Gloucestershire village of Soudley on the other side of the River Severn, there was always particular affection.
Having returned to Barnsley for the final year of his contract at Oakwell after seeing his loan spell at the Memorial Stadium end, the Englishman remained in League One following the Tykes' relegation from the Championship.
The 24-year-old made 31 appearances across all competitions last season which included both matches against Bristol Rovers and a spell off of the bench in now-Swansea manager Michael Duff's side's heart-breaking defeat to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final.
For Thomas, the last two seasons have ended on the pitch in completely contrasting ways with the Tykes' Wembley defeat also marking the end of the winger's time at Oakwell. But there was always a particular destination in mind.
Speaking exclusively to Bristol Live, the 24-year-old's excitement to be back at the Quarters and for the new campaign ahead is evident as he travels to the first post-pre-season training session with the new League One season just days away.
"Delighted to be back," said Thomas, who signed a three-year deal with the club at the end of June. "It was always in my head to come back. I didn't think I'd come back so soon but the ambitions [of the club], obviously the gaffer as well, members of staff. It was a no-brainer to come back when I got the opportunity.
"I always knew they were kind of interested. Obviously I've got a really good relationship with the manager. Even when I went back to Barnsley, we were speaking through the season, just like mates really. Especially when I got injured, he really kept his eye on me and made sure I was staying on the right path. So I knew that there was interest there and now I'm just delighted to be back."
Although there had only been a year since leaving Rovers and re-joining, the winger admitted that he can see improvement in the club which has the ambition of eventually getting itself into the Championship.
"Obviously there's the stadium, getting down to work with that," the Englishman said. "That won't be too far away. The training facilities are very good, the pitches are immaculate and the way we want to play this season, it really helps to have pitches like that at the training ground so we can practice what we want to do on the pitch. Just everything about the club. It's certainly gotten better since I left.
"Obviously, we're not getting too carried away," Thomas quickly added. "We know how tough League One is to get out of but I think it's really good to be ambitious. As long as we keep improving on what we did last season, there's no reason why this club can't get up to the Championship. They've got all the facilities. Obviously the fanbase too, every time we travel we sell out. Hopefully we can get there or thereabouts this season but we all know how hard it is to get out of."
On Saturday, Joey Barton's side travel to one of the early favourites for promotion from League One in Portsmouth before facing two of Thomas' former clubs within the space of four days in Ipswich, where he played five times on loan in 2021, and Barnsley.
Having started all-bar-one of the Gas' friendlies, pre-season has been a success personally for the winger admitting that it's been no easy feat.
"It's been tough," Thomas exclaimed. "It's probably been one of the toughest pre-seasons I've had but really enjoyable at the same time.
"Just him [Barton] as a person, he's really caring but firm when he needs to be. I really like that side of him because I'm one of those who need to be told when I've done well and when I'm not doing the right thing and when I'm not up to standard so I think the manager here is really good for that for me. It can only be positive for myself."
Whilst supporters are excited for the season ahead with what they've seen from their players through pre-season, there's also excitement within the Rovers camp, with the summer signing claiming that he's impressed with his fellow recruits and the moves the club are making in the transfer market with more additions expected to arrive before September 1.
Alongside the former Gas loanee, Rovers have signed defenders James Wilson and George Friend, forward Jevani Brown and goalkeeper Matt Hall permanently as well as goalkeeper Matt Cox and defender Tristan Crama on loan from Brentford this summer, adding a healthy mix of experience and raw talent to Barton's squad.
"Really impressed," exclaimed Thomas. "I knew James from when I had my short spell at Ipswich so I knew what he was capable of. He won the league last season so to get that sort of signing in speaks volumes.
"I don't really know Jevani but I knew what a player he is and his goals and assists last season were ridiculous. If he had played the whole season he might have nicked it [League One Player of the Season] off of Azza. I think those two were toe-to-toe for it.
"So yeah, really impressed with the improvements. I'm sure there will be more that the manager wants to bring in and I think that will be good for us. We'll all need competition. If we can get that then I think we'll have a really good season."
Having not scored a league goal for Rovers yet as well as netting a total of ten in his 178 appearances in first-team football, the 24-year-old has one particular area of his game he's keen to improve on, saying: "One thing I really need to work on is scoring goals. I haven't really been the best with that with the chances I've created for my teammates or with the chances my teammates have created for me so I really should be getting at least 10 a season. So fingers crossed this season I can do that.
"I'm quite quick," the Englishman added. "I'm a winger. I like to get past my defender and cause them problems every time. I like to dribble and I like to pick out a pass."
Thomas doesn't need supporters to make him aware of the fact that his first spell at the Mem was underwhelming, he's well aware, admitting: "They've not seen the best of me yet. I think last time I wasn't in the right mind when I was here and I didn't really contribute. But this season I'm serious. I think I'm going to show the fans what I'm all about. They travel in their numbers with unbelievable support so hopefully we can give them a good one on Saturday."
That in itself should be enough of a battle cry to show supporters that permanent Bristol Rovers player Luke Thomas is ready to impress. As he says, this season he's serious.
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