In May 2007, Tommy Wright swooped to make his first signing ahead of the new season, in the form of Dungannon Swifts' versitile defender - Thomas Wray.

Born in Londonderry on the 25th October, 1983, Wray began his football career at Institute. He was snapped up by Premier League side; Leeds United on a two year apprenticeship in 2000, whilst under the management of David O'Leary.

In August 2002, Wray returned home and re-signed for his hometown side, Institute - who had just gained promotion to the Irish League Premier Division for the first time in their history. At 19-years-old, Thomas made his debut in Institute's first game in the top-flight - a 4-1 defeat to Glentoran at the Oval on the 10th August, 2002; coming on as a substitute for Alan Blair. It took time for Wray to settle back in Irish League football, as he even scored an own goal at the Ballymena Showgrounds in a 5-1 League Cup defeat.

However, Institute coped surprisingly well with the 'big boys' defeating Linfield three times in the league and finishing a highly credible sixth. Thomas' season went from strength to strength as he established himself as a member of the first-team - making 34 appearances in the 2002/03 season - however failed to score. He also stood in as acting captain when Greame Philson was injured - making him possibly one of the youngest captains ever in the Premier League.

With the departure of Graeme Philson to Lisburn Distillery, manager Paul Hegarty named Thomas the new club captain at Drumahoe after some impressive displays the previous season. The 2003/04 season seen Institute cement their place in the Premier League with a ninth place finish in a season that seen Thomas miss only a handful of games. He blotted his copy book again at the Ballymena Showgrounds on December 2003 when he was sent off for a second-bookable offence against Ballymena - his first senior red card.

The 2004/05 season saw a change at Drumahoe when Paul Hegarty resigned in January 2005, and French-man Pascal Vaudequin was appointed - as Institute finished ninth for the second consecutive season in the Premier League. Thomas made 26 league appearances coupled with many cup ones, and was a unanimous choice for the 'Player of the Year' award after a fantastic season. He also scored his first senior goal, despite it being a consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat by Newry City in January.

Wray shocked those at 'Stute ahead of the new season in August 2005, when he left to join Dungannon Swifts. He signed for Joe McAree's ambitious Swifts' side on a free transfer - and signed a two year deal at Stangmore Park. His choice was justified as Dungannon performed heroically in the Setanta Cup and won the Mid-Ulster Cup with a 3-1 win over Glenavon in the final. Wray was one of the first-names on the team sheet as the Swifts finished fourth to qualify for Europe for the first time.

Dungannon travelled to Iceland for their European adventure as Thomas started in the 4-1 defeat to Keflavik in the first leg, he didn't play in the second. Despite finishing eighth in the table, Dungannon had another memorable season, playing in the Setanta Cup and also competing in their first Irish Cup final, which they cruelly lost on penalties to Linfield - meaning Wray left Windsor with a silver medal in his first showpiece final.

In May 2007, though with Thomas out of contract at Stangmore Park - Ballymena boss Tommy Wright signed the versitile defender on a two year contract at the Showgrounds.