HARRY Thompson, the manager of Headington United from 1949 to 1958, has died aged 84.

Mr Thompson, who was credited by many for putting Oxford United on the football map, suffered a heart attack while shopping at a chemist in Cowley Road on Saturday.

He was manager of Headington United, as Oxford United was then known, for nine years until 1958, when they were beginning to turn professional.

Among his achievements were a double of the Southern League and Cup in 1953 and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1954, beating two league sides along the way.

Oxford United secretary Mick Brown said his death had come as a shock to everyone at the club.

A one-minute silence will be held before Saturday's match with Blackpool to remember Mr Thompson and former player Martin Aldridge, who died in a car crash on Saturday.

Mr Thompson's neighbour Mrs Kate Jury, of Minster Road, Oxford, said: "We knew him quite well. He lived here for ages. There are quite a lot of kids around here who were interested in hearing about his football career.

"Not many people remember what he achieved for Oxford United. He didn't talk about it much. He was a modest man."

Mr Thompson was born in Mansfield in 1915. He played for local side Mansfield Town before joining Wolves. He then signed for Sunderland in a deal worth £7,500 - an enormous fee for the 1930's.

His two years at Roker Park included an appearance in an FA Cup semi-final in 1938.

In 1949, he became player-manager of Headington in time for the club's first-ever Southern League fixture.

But after a nine-year spell he was dismissed to be succeeded by Arthur Turner, who carried on his good work by taking the club into the Football League.

Mr Thompson leaves a widow, Marjorie. MODEST: Harry Thompson

Story date: Thursday 03 February

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