Dave Thomas, nicknamed Ticer, became the youngest player ever to represent Burnley FC when, at 16 years of age, he turned out against Everton.

"It was only a year after joining the club as an apprentice (1965) that I got my chance. I had been spotted playing for England schoolboys by Jack Robson, nephew of famous North East scout, Jack Hixon," said Dave.

When the big United guns of Leeds and Manchester came calling, Dave had already committed himself to the Clarets and the agreement between the parties wasn't about to be undone.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Burnley," said Thomas.

"I stayed in the same digs for the full six years living with Walter and Wynn Edmundson, who were lovely people.

"Full back Peter Jones was in the same digs and the juniors were always playing practical jokes on each other at that time.

"Peter got stitched up good and proper when his hair was cut off, making him look ridiculous and for a long time afterwards he would continually fiddle with the bald patch.

"Jack Butterfield, the commercial manager, also copped it when the lads placed a bucket of water over the dressing room door.

"We fully expected one of the trainees to be next through the door but Jack bought a perfect hit and it landed right over him. We got slaughtered by the coaching staff."

Thomas holds a special place in his heart for Harry Potts, who was manager at the time.

"We won the Youth Cup in season 67/68 and Harry and his coaches Jimmy Adamson and Joe Brown would give their time in helping the young boys.

"Not many managers get themselves involved in the youth teams these days. Although I had a bit of a personality clash with Jimmy, I respected him as a coach. He was very knowledgeable about the game and I learnt a lot from him but on a personal level, I got on with Harry really well."

Dave was transferred on his 21st birthday and it came as a massive shock to the players and fans as he was such a talented, naturally gifted and popular player.

Everybody was stunned by the news.

"I know Leeds were interested in signing me but relationships between the two clubs wasn't good and there was no way they would even consider me going to Elland Road.

"So I signed for QPR. At first I didn't fancy going South but I bit the bullet and luckily for me, it worked out wonderfully well."

Gordon Jago was the manager at the time but then Dave Sexton came on board and things really took off. Burnley and QPR would fight all the way to promotion in 1972-3 with the Clarets just pipping their London rivals for the 2nd Division Championship.

"Playing with the likes of Gerry Francis, John Hollins, Frank McLintock, Stan Bowles in a vibrant, exciting team was brilliant.

"I enjoyed my football and learnt a great deal from the exceptional coaching skills of Dave Sexton, who was also a great guy."

His next port of call was Goodison Park where Everton were not far off being a very good side. They qualified for Europe three times on the spin but with Liverpool winning everything they were always up against it.

Then in 1979, Ticer probably made the biggest mistake of his footballing life when he signed for Wolves. The next 18 months were to prove a nightmare.

"The Everton secretary, Jim Greenwood, told me they had received similar bids from Wolves and Manchester United. They left me to decide and I chose Wolves.

"They were second in the League and had a striking duo of John Richards and Andy Gray which excited me.

"Things may have turned out better if hadn't been for coach Richie Barker. I couldn't stand the man.

"I always played in moulded rubber studs and this guy was telling me to wear something else but it was his manner that really screwed me up. We clashed like cat and dog and to think I could have signed up with Dave Sexton, again, at Manchester United! But that's life."

Dave's career took a different turn as his next stop was across the big pond with John Giles at Vancouver Whitecaps.

"That was a wonderful experience. To sample a totally different way of life with the family was something I'll always appreciate. We eventually came back and I signed for Portsmouth, where I later joined the coaching staff."

But Dave was badly treated by Pompey and when Bruce Rioch asked him if he fancied looking after Middlesbrough's reserve team, his love affair with the professional game had finally come to an end.

"That experience at Pompey hurt me and I decided if that was the way the game was going they could do without me.

"Since then, I have been teaching PE in a secondary school in Chichester for the past 10 years and I thoroughly enjoy it.

"I'm also doing a bit of after dinner speaking and until recently was reporting on the radio for local games."

Dave's affection for Burnley, though, is as strong as ever.

"I always look for the Burnley result.

"There are still great people around even in the background, like Veronica Simpson who is forever promoting the club at every opportunity and deserves all the credit for her tireless endeavours.

"So I wish the club well and hope, like many ex Clarets, they overcome their difficulties and move forward"

I couldn't let Dave go without inquiring about the state of his lawn. During his playing days it was always in pristine condition. Is that the case today?

"Absolutely, Dobbo. Nobody is allowed on that patch. Even the dog walks round it!"

But what happens when the grandson calls and you're teaching him the famous step-overs and drag backs which were the Thomas speciality, pre-Ronaldo? Surely the youngster will be allowed to go on it?

"No way. Straight down to the park, clear away the deposits left by animals and humans and into the session!"

Dave had it all. Skill, balance, pace, attitude, competitiveness.

In today's modern game, he would command a kings ransom in transfer fees, only a present day Roman Abramovich would be able to find the finance. What a player.

I was very fortunate to play alongside him for two clubs and getting on the back post waiting for the crosses were the easy bit.

Sprinting clear, dummying past defenders, hitting the dead ball line and whipping in the crosses was the difficult part, something that Ticer made look incredibly easy.

A class act.

Martin Dobson