MACHYNLLETH-born Welsh international footballer Syd Thomas has died, aged 92.

Syd Thomas, who shone with Fulham and Bristol City and won four full international caps for Wales, passed away on Thursday, January 19.

His golden period at Fulham covered the years 1939-1950 - interrupted by World War II - and he was only prevented from building on this fame at Bristol City because of serious illness.

In his time he played against probably the most famous of all England international forward lines - Stanley Matthews, Tommy Lawton, Stan Mortenson, Wilf Mannion and Tom Finney.

Born in Machynlleth in 1919, Syd was spotted as a talented outside right whilst playing for Machynlleth, aged 17.

He made his debut for Fulham in 1946 and was part of the team that won the Second Division Championship in 1948-49.

In 1950, Syd was transferred to Bristol City for £9,000, and was so successful he won the Bristol Sportsman of the Year accolade.

But he and his wife Ivy contracted TB in 1951 which meant that his football career was over.

After treatment they returned to Machynlleth where Syd re-joined the family bakery business until his retirement in 1987.

Earlier this year his memories were penned in a book by local historian and author David Wyn Davies.