Town footballer receives international call up

Natasha Thomas is pictured close up following a football game. She is smiling widely and facing away from the camera. Her dark hair is tied up behind her head. She is wearing a blue Ipswich Town shirt while a team mate hugs her from the side.Image source, Ipswich Town Football Club
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Natasha Thomas will travel over to France to play for the Jamaican squad

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An Ipswich Town footballer could become the first from her club to win a cap for a senior national team.

Striker Natasha Thomas has been selected to join the Jamaican women's senior squad, nicknamed the "Reggae Girlz".

The 28-year-old forward was eligible for the team due to her Jamaican grandparents.

Thomas, who has a portrait of her grandparents on her shin pads, said: "They would be proud looking down on me."

Natasha Thomas is pictured in the midst of a football game. She is celebrating with her right arm punching out. She is shout while jumping in the air. Supporters can be seen in the background watching on.Image source, Getty Images
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Thomas is Ipswich Town Women's first player to be called up to a senior international team

Town keeper Nina Meollo, currently on loan at AFC Sudbury, has previously been called up to the Philippines squad, but has yet to play a game for them.

Despite several Town players representing national youth teams, Thomas is the only outfield player to be selected at a senior level while wearing an Ipswich Town shirt.

"It hasn’t quite sunk in," she said.

"I'm sure it will when I'm on the flight to go and play and go into the camp.

"I always dreamt it when I was younger. People always say if you don't dream these things, then they can't come true.

"So make sure you are making those dreams.

"It has all just come at the right time for me and myself and my family."

She added: "Of course I'm nervous, but at the same time, it is a massive opportunity for me and I can't wait to grab it with both hands."

A picture of Thomas' shin pads with pictures of her grandparents on each. Each shin pad has the words, 'Forever with me...' included with the pictures.Image source, Contributed
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Thomas plays with pictures of her grandparents on her shin pads

Natasha Thomas is pictured during a football game. She is attempting to tackle a ball away from a player on the opposing team. She is looking down while attempting to avoid the other player. She is wearing the pink Ipswich Town away kit. Another player can be seen in the background as well as the stands of the football ground.Image source, Ipswich Town Football Club
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Thomas said she wanted to inspire the next generation of footballers in Suffolk

Jamaica travel to international giants France for a friendly on 25 October, with Thomas flying out after the Tractor Girls league cup game against Hashtag United on Sunday.

In an unconventional route into professional football, Thomas came through grassroots level at Waveney from the age of nine before joining Lowestoft Town.

The striker has recently been named the club's all time record appearance maker.

After signing with Town from Lowestoft in November 2015, she marked 217 appearances following a 0-0 draw against Watford.

The club recently marked the occasion by presenting her with an anniversary kit.

She picked out FA Cup runs against WSL sides West Ham and Manchester City, as well as scoring at Portman Road amongst the highlights.

Thomas has since boosted her appearances to 218 following Sunday's game against Plymouth.

The Ipswich Town Women's team are pictured standing together in a group. Natasha Thomas is stood in the middle holding her anniversary kit. The top has her name on the back as well as the number 217 marking her number of appearances. Image source, Ipswich Town Football Club
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Thomas was presented with an anniversary kit after becoming the club's all time record appearance maker

Ipswich Town boss for the men's side, Kieran McKenna, told BBC Radio Suffolk Sport the whole team was "proud" of Thomas for her achievements.

"Any interactions I've had with her around the club or the work she does with the foundation, she's a fantastic role model on and off the pitch," he said.

Thomas said she had seen huge growth in the women’s set up at the club since joining.

She added: "I've been here for quite a while now and seen the development within the players, coaches and behind the scenes. Even the amount of fans we are getting now.

"One of my goals is to inspire the next generation in Suffolk, in Ipswich and help push the women's game forward.

"I’m trying to push myself and still trying to develop as a player. So I just hope I can carry that on here at Ipswich Town and see where that takes me further."

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