Former Oxford City right winger and life vice-president Tony Bricknell has died, aged 80 after a short illness.

Bricknell joined City when he was 15-years-old and later went on to make 542 appearances, scoring 166 goals from 1951 to 1966.

His 19 years’ service to City was one of the longest ever for the Isthmian League.

“Bricky” as he was known, made his City debut in a 4-2 defeat against Wimbledon at the White Horse Ground on September 29, 1951.

The club captain had initially hung up his boots in October 1965, but came out of retirement after City went on a winless run of eight games.

Bricknell, who was made a life member while still playing for City, made his last apearance at Wycombe in a 3-2 defeat on August 29, 1966.

Bricknell, an engineer by trade, scored three hat-tricks for City.

His first came on February 28, 1953 in a 3-3 draw with Kingstonian, the second when they beat Wycombe 5-2 on December 27, 1958. His other treble came in a 7-1 win against Witney in the Oxfordshire Benevolent Cup on May 7, 1962.

He also had an England trial and played representative games for the Isthmian League and Oxfordshire.

After finishing playing, he had a three-month spell as City’s caretaker-manager, before taking over as Abingdon Town boss in 1968.

After nine years, he became chairman until his retirement from football in 1987.

An avid racing fan, he was a member at Newbury.

Bricknell leaves a widow Doris, two daughters and a son.