THORNBURY has always been a hotbed for sporting talent, with links to Olympians and rugby stars, but this is no recent phenomenon.

The earliest photo shown was taken in about 1885 of what was called Thornbury Football Team - although the game then was closer to something we would recognise as rugby.

A regular player at this time was John Evomy Phelps, an assistant to Dr E.M. Grace, elder brother to the famous W.G. Grace. Mr Phelps was not actually a doctor but was often called in to substitute for Dr Grace who had more pressing cricket commitments – on the cricket pitch.

Most people will be aware of the great W. G. Grace but the Grace family produced many other outstanding cricketers.

Two members of the family appear in the Thornbury Cricket Club photo from 1936, Dr Ted Grace who was sadly killed in Italy in 1944, and Dr Edgar Grace. Between 1871 and 1971, 24 members of the family played for Thornbury, with 11 being doctors.

The photo of the Bowls Club - part of what became the Mundy Playing Fields - is believed to have been taken on the day the club opened. Last but not least is the photograph of the Thornbury AFC team of 1945/6.

It is believed that one of the team in the post war years was a German, possibly a former P.O.W, which gave rise to a certain amount of abuse from the opposition teams.

Pictures and information kindly provided by Thornbury and District Museum, who would would like to know more about the sporting stories through the ages, including more about ladies playing sports.

To donate your own photos, visit the museum from 1pm to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.