FORMER Oxford United half back and president of Oxford City Golf Club Bobby Craig has died, age 87.

A well-loved character from the days where the club was known as Headington United, Mr Craig played for the club during the 1950s, scoring 10 goals during his time there.

His United debut was in 1951 vs Worcester City, with his final game in 1955 vs Lovell's Athletic.

Robert 'Bobby' Craig was born on June 16 1928 in Consett, County Durham and came to Oxford in 1950 from Sunderland after six seasons as a professional at Roker Park.

As well as football, Mr Craig was also an excellent sprinter and at the age of 16 was doing 100 yards in 10.2 seconds but turned down the chance to be a Powderhall sprinter in order to become a pro-footballer with Sunderland.

He made 190 appearances during his time as a footballer for Headington United, now known as Oxford United, and scored 10 goals during his four years there.

In 1955 he moved to Bedford, after declining to take a £1 cut in wages at Headington.

He was one of five players released at the end of the 1954-55 season after the dispute.

Mr Craig was at Bedford for five seasons, making 271 appearances and scoring two goals.

He then returned to Oxford where he played for the Quarry Nomads.

When he came to Oxford in the 1950s he married Beryl Warland, the girl who lived next door to him. She was Oxfordshire's champion half miler for seven years as well as a member of Oxford Ladies' Athletics Club and Pressed Steel Hockey Club.

The pair got married in January 1955, in Headington.

In 1960 they had their first daughter, Elizabeth, and the family lived in Old Shotover Road in Wheatley. Soon after they had a son, Duncan.

After retiring, Mr Craig was fully engaged in his carpentry business, but he was still unable to resist the lure of football.

He also was a keen golf player and was president of Oxford City Golf Club during the 1980s.

He died on February 10, and is survived by his two children and his grandchildren.

His funeral will be held tomorrow [friday] at 3.45pm at Oxford Crematorium.