Well-known Abingdon sportsman Aubrey Thomas, who once had trials for Reading Football Club, has died at the age of 78.

Mr Thomas (pictured) first came to prominence when he captained Abingdon Council School's footballers to victory in the North Berks Cup. By doing this he followed his brothers, Dennis and Norman, who captained the school to the same trophy in the two previous years.

At the age of 18, he was a member of the successful Abingdon Sea Cadet Team that went on to win the national title, the final being played at Berwick Rangers.

Among his teammates in the Sea Cadet side were Derek Chung, Sammy Chung, who went on to manage Wolves, Ray Butler, Doug McKay and Chic Parker.

He had trials for Reading, then managed by the legendary Arsenal star Ted Drake, before playing for Abingdon United and the MGs.

Mr Thomas was a talented cricketer in his younger days, playing for the Ox team, who won many trophies.

In later life, he played golf at Donnington and at Drayton, where he got his handicap down to the low teens, before taking up bowls for Abingdon BC, where he went on to be club captain.

He leaves Alma, his wife for 56 years, and three children.