When I looked up at the stand and saw my dad wasn't there that's when it struck me ...but he's always told me to be tough and strong to get on with things

Dom admits father's death at 55 is hardest challenge

- BY SCOTT MCDERMOTT

DOM THOMAS glanced up to the Firhill main stand and suddenly it hit him.

His dad David wasn't there.

At whatever stadium in Scotland he was playing at, after his warm-up Dom would look to find him in the crowd.

This time there were just empty seats.

And that's when losing the biggest influence in his life became a reality.

It's been four months now since Thomas' father suffered a brain aneurysm and died aged just 55.

Just days later Dom played for Queen's Park against Partick and scored a trademark goal.

Afterwards he dedicated it to his dad.

In January, when Thomas was offered a deal by Derry City to play in Ireland, there was only one phone call he wanted to make - but couldn't.

He could only imagine what his dad would have said.

That's why he took the plunge and quit Scottish football for a new challenge.

The former Spiders captain now has his sights set on a league title with Derry and European qualification this season.

His family were the inspiration behind the surprise move. But every game he plays at the Brandywell - and any success he gets is to try to continue to make his old man proud.

As he reflected on the most difficult period of his career and a devastating loss, Thomas told MailSport: "It was tough at the time to play in that game against Thistle.

"But my reason for playing was that he'd have been angry at me if I hadn't played.

"Growing up he never let me miss training or games.

"Even when he was in the hospital my mum said: 'You have to keep playing, that's what he'd have wanted'.