Born in 1908 in Swansea, Wales, Thornton Thomas had a bumpy start to life caused in no small part by being the mixed race son of a single mother. In 1938, Thornton made his way to Ilfracombe and became a local footballing legend.
Life was still not without difficulties or discrimination but he became a beloved cornerstone of the Ilfracombe community. Even today, Thornton is remembered as a deeply kind man, and as both a star of the local football team and a bright spot in Ilfracombe’s recent history.
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