Keen Aunt Sally player Keith Webb has been found hanged.
Mr Webb, who lived in Wheatley with his mother, was found hanging from a tree on the outskirts of the village by a passer-by.
Brian Claridge, secretary of the Oxford and District Aunt Sally Association, said Mr Webb, who was in his 50s, was a well-known seasoned player.
He was captain of the Aunt Sally team for the Plough Inn, in London Road, Wheatley, in the Morrells of Oxford Wednesday night league. Mr Webb, divorced with one grown-up daughter, was also captain of the pub's crib team.
The pub is now getting together a collection for Aunt Sally and crib trophies to be named after him.
Plough landlord John Payne said: "He was a smashing bloke. Everyone here is absolutely devastated." He described Mr Webb's death as a mystery. "He did not seem upset. Last time I saw him it was Sunday and he said he would pick me up on Wednesday. Then it got to 8.20pm and there was no Keith."
A team member, who did not wish to be named, said: "You could not wish to meet a better person. He was such a likeable chap.
"We have been devastated."
Story date: Monday 17 May
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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