Profile

Les Thomas came to Oldham from Llanelli in August 1946. He had represented Wales at Rugby Union in the “Victory” internationals that followed the Second World War. Unfortunately for Les his move North came before he was rewarded with what must have been an inevitable, full Welsh cap.

Tall and strong, his first season with the club saw him alternate between the second row and loose forward positions, with an occasional appearance in the threequarters. Les had an unlucky start being injured in his opening match at Liverpool and it would be Christmas before he would have a prolonged run in the first team. Once settled in, he showed good form finishing the 1946-47 campaign with 12 tries and 12 goals.

The following season it was decided that his best position was in the second row and here he continued to impress which won him a call up for the Great Britain team to play New Zealand in the first test against the 1947 Kiwis. Britain won the match at Headingley 11 – 10, but this was to be his only international appearance.

At the start of the 1948 season Les left to join Leeds in a deal which brought Bob Batten and Les Tate to Watersheddings.