Thomas, who played for Chelsea in the early 1980s, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in early 2019 leading to messages of support across football, including from his former team-mate Pat Nevin who wrote on this website: ‘I have been in touch with Mickey over the past few days and know that there is no more positive-minded person or indeed harder fighter than him. We are with you Mickey, not just here at Chelsea but everywhere you produced that fantastic skill and gave that superhuman effort.’Today Thomas, who is now 67, posted this on Twitter…

The former Wales international’s time at Chelsea was relatively short but he made a big impression. He signed midway through the 1983/84 promotion season and helped raise a fresh and already high-achieving side onto a new level.After scoring twice on his home debut against Sheffield Wednesday, our biggest rivals for promotion, he remained unbeaten for the rest of that season as we took the Division Two title. He opened the scoring in a 5-0 win over Leeds to seal promotion.

Thomas was again Sheffield Wednesday’s nemesis in a famous cup quarter-final the following season, scoring in a 4-4 draw at Hillsborough before heading a last-minute winner in a second replay that followed. John Neal’s Chelsea finished sixth on our return to the top-flight with Thomas our third topscorer in all competitions.

He had become a cult hero for the Blues support so there was much disappointment when he was sold to West Bromwich Albion in 1985.Everyone at Chelsea is very pleased to hear Mickey’s news today and wishes him continued good health.