“He was cool, calm and collected.”

Those are the words of ex-Gloucester City striker Ken Blackburn, who was talking about former top professional footballer Rod Thomas who died earlier this week at the age of 78.

Blackburn was referring to the time he played alongside Thomas in a charity match in the early 1980s, but he could easily have been talking about Thomas' many successful years with Swindon Town and Derby County or indeed how he conducted himself away from the pitch.

As his long-time friend and Stroud Rugby Club stalwart Russ Hillier said: “He was a shining light, he was the most generous, unassuming person, a very good bloke.”

Hillier played cricket with former Chosen Hill School pupil Thomas for Slad Exiles – Thomas’ brothers Phil and Gary also played – but it was at football that he made his name.

The one-time right-back who could also play centre-half enjoyed a stellar career.

He played a handful of games for Gloucester City in the mid-1960s before being snapped up by Swindon, who were a club on the up at the time.

Thomas was a major player as the then third tier club shocked the football world in 1969 by beating Arsenal 3-1 in the League Cup final, and Blackburn said: “I used to watch that Swindon side – Ernie Hunt, Rod, Mike Summerbee, Don Rogers.

Thomas and Rogers both played in that famous game at Wembley and Blackburn said: “Rod was a Steady Eddie, nothing flash, nothing flamboyant, but very good.”

After almost 300 games for Swindon, Thomas got his chance in the big-time when Derby came calling.

They were one of the top teams in the country and Thomas helped them to win the old Division One title back in 1974/75.

After four years with Derby, where he played 89 games, he spent another four years with Cardiff City before the 50-times capped Welsh international ended his career after brief spells with Gloucester, Newport County, Bath City and Barry Town.

Blackburn remembers the aforementioned charity game well, even though it took place more than 40 years ago.

It was in aid of the League of Friends of Ermin House and Blackburn said: “The game was played at Gloucester’s old ground in Horton Road.

“The Showbiz XI included Jasper Carrott, Bev Bevan of ELO and TV presenters Nick Owen and Gary Newbon.

England, Manchester City and Derby legend Francis Lee was in the opposing All Stars team that day and Blackburn continued: “I scored a hat-trick and a lot of the kids came up to me after the game for my autograph, they thought I was Francis Lee, we both had blonde hair!”

Lee and Thomas, who ran the Foston’s Ash pub near Birdlip for a number of years, were good friends from their Derby days.

Hillier knew Thomas when he was a teenager and he said: “He was always an outstanding athlete, his brothers were too.

“Phil played rugby for Stroud and Gary played the odd game.

“Rod was an excellent cricketer, he batted three or four and used to play proper innings.

“He was a great bloke to play with, he wanted to be involved in everything, he was the nicest bloke ever.”