Tributes have flooded in for an Oxford landlord and local rugby player who died after a crash on Christmas day.

Thomas Pritchard died in the John Radcliffe Hospital on Wednesday, January 17 one week short of his 32nd birthday.

He was seriously injured in a crash on the A338 between East Hanney and Frilford on Christmas Day last year.

The crash has already claimed the life of 61-year-old Jean Houston from East Hanney.

Mr Pritchard started playing for Oxford Rugby Football Club (RFC) at the age of eight with the club describing him as a “legend” who was “loved wherever he travelled”.

The club held a one-minute applause at the club on Sunday (January 21) for Mr Pritchard who was recently made the landlord and head chef at The Fox Inn in Boars Hill.

Oxford Mail: Oxford Rugby Football Club pay tribute with minute applause

John Brodley, chair of Oxford RFC, said; “Tommy is known throughout Oxfordshire for his passion for rugby, cricket, golf and darts to name just a few of the activities he played.

“His enthusiasm for life met no boundaries and he was loved wherever he travelled.

“He first wore the traditional green and black striped rugby shirt at the age of eight and played for Oxford RFC throughout the age groups.”

Mr Pritchard attended Botley Primary School and Abingdon School before studying at Leeds University.

He then returned from university to continue playing for the club.

Mr Brodley added: “His return to Oxford RFC filled him and the club with joy.

“Tommy was a legend at every venue he attended so to say he was a character, is an understatement.

“He lit up the bar, if not the field, he always had a tale to tell and had the gift to make anyone he was talking to feel comfortable in his presence.

“In time there will be many stories told about the outrageously good times people had with Tommy, but at this time we mourn his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

Mr Pritchard's parents Paul and Sarah paid tribute to their only son, praising his ability as "a keen sportsman" who enjoyed rugby and cricket, both at university and locally in Oxford, and was also a keen golfer.

Oxford Mail: Thomas Pritchard, aged 31

His friend, Steve Jasinski, revealed Mr Pritchard welcomed him into to his family home for Christmas last year so I wasn’t on my own.

He said: “That’s exactly the sort of person he was.

“He looked out for people and done what he could to help anyone.

“He got also sorts of people together to get involved in local sports and was always the life of any sports night.

"He will be greatly missed by so many people.

“He truly was an incredible guy.”

He was an experienced local landlord having previously worked in Oxford pubs including the Bear Inn, The Punter and The Fox Inn.

Oxford Mail: Tommy Pritchard behind the bar at The Fox

Under his management, The Fox Inn was praised for making drinkers feel just as welcome as diners.

His vision was for a traditional village pub with good food on offer.

Last August he told the Oxford Mail: “I wanted to run a pub, not a restaurant."

Adam Dewar often faced Tommy as an opponent in pub sports, mainly Aunt Sally which he played for his Fox Boars Hill team.

He said "he left a lasting impression on anyone he met".

"He was a larger-than-life character who was the life and soul of The Fox. Oh, and he was a fantastic chef. The food provided on Aunt Sally evenings was unrivalled.

"He will definitely be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

"When the dust settles we will reach out to The Fox Aunt Sally team for a game in Tommy's memory."

On Saturday, January 20 the pub was shut with a message on its website: “ The Fox Inn is currently closed, the team are busy working away and hoping to be re-opened in the coming weeks.”

Tommy had been a member of the Frewen Club in St Aldates since 2014.

The club messaged members to announce Tommy's passing "with great sadness".