Charlie Bailey, a stalwart of local football and cricket, died last week at the age of 58 after a long illness. Bailey managed a number of local clubs, including Didcot Town, Abingdon United and Clanfield. His brother, John, is now the chairman at Didcot.

Forced to retire from playing early by a knee injury, Bailey was the manager of Wantage Town for five seasons until 1971, taking them to the first round of the FA Amateur Cup for the first time.

As a footballer, Bailey had been a schoolboy and reserve team right back with Southampton and also played for Oxford City and Banbury United.

He was also later a scout at Hereford and Derby County to Colin Addison, who guided Yeovil Town to second place in the Nationwide Conference this season.

Paul Lee, the current Oxford City manager, said: "Charlie was my manager when I started as a 17-year-old at Wantage.

"He was the main reason I played professional football for Hereford and the main reason I went into manage- ment.

"I had an enormous amount of admiration for him. A lot of people will miss him a great deal.

"He was an extrovert as a manager and styled himself a little on Brian Clough.

"He was certainly ahead of his time. I remember when he left as Abingdon United boss he told the Oxford Mail that the club hadn't been ready for the likes of him. I think he was right."

Latterly, Bailey was the chairman of Chalgrove Cricket Club.

Dean Clark, from the club, said: "Chas will be remembered as 'Mr Chairman'.

"He was very proud of the title given to him by the cricket club he loved. We will remember him for his enthusiasm and his support at every game, and his willingness to push the club forward on and off the pitch.

"Without doubt, his finest hour was the 1998 Oxfordshire final of the National Village Championship. We beat Shipton in the last over and Chas was in tears. It meant as much to him as any of the players, perhaps more.

"Chas has gone now, but he will always be our 12th man."