Profile

Richard Llewellyn Thomas was the great Oldham full back at the turn of the century. Known as “Dickie” or “R.L.”, he first played for the Pill Harriers club before being invited to join the famous Newport team, his home town club. He came to Oldham in August, 1897 when thought to be on the verge of full Welsh Rugby Union honours, after playing in the East v West trial match in the 1896-97 season.

Although his first few games under the new code were played on the wing, he soon settled into his regular full back position. Famed for being a determined tackler, with an excellent kicking game, he would for over a decade provide a formidable last line of the Oldham defence. A most durable character he missed only four games in his first four seasons with the club and went on to appear in over 350 first class matches. He won all of the domestic honours the Northern Union had to offer, was capped by Lancashire county and kicked a goal in the historic first Challenge Cup win over Hunslet in 1899.

After retiring from first team football he continued to assist the “A” team and proved to be still a handful when scoring 11 goals and four tries in a match against Radcliffe Rangers at Radcliffe. He then went on to serve on the Oldham F.C. committee.