The Powys businessman who helped shape Manchester City

They’ve got the best manager in the game on the sidelines and some of the best and most expensive players wearing the famous royal blue every week on the pitch. They’re a football powerhouse.

And yet, were it not for a beloved former honorary president who grew up in rural Radnorshire, City might not be anywhere near the size of club they are today.

Tudor Thomas was held in such high regard there is a room named after him at the Eithad Stadium – the Tudor Room – which is packed with memorabilia he collected over a lifetime following football and City.

He was also one of only four honorary presidents at the club at the time of his death, aged 94, in February. The club paid tribute to him before their home league game against Aston Villa on Sunday, February 12, with a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.

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“City was his life and his number one, beyond his family,” son Steve told the County Times.

“The tribute (at the Villa game) meant a lot, it was amazing. The emotion was unbelievable.

“And the amount of people who attended his funeral was amazing. There were over 400 people.”

Attendees included many genuine City legends, like ex-managers Joe Royle, Brian Horton and Brian Kidd, and players Paul Lake, Paul Power, Joe Corrigan, Tommy Booth and Mike Summerbee. Current directors and other staff were also there in number.

Originally from the tiny village of Llanwrthwl, between Rhayader and Newbridge-on-Wye, Tudor played football for Llanwrthwl, a club long since disbanded, as well as for Rhayader Town; it’s believed he also turned out for Llandrindod Wells too.

Tudor Thomas in his Llanwrthwl playing days (back row, second left) (Image: None)

He later moved to Stockport in the 1950s, where he married Mary and became a successful businessman, and where he used his success to help the blue moon rise, long before the United Arab Emirates’ millions arrived in 2008.

“He was an extraordinary bloke. Very well respected in his business and private life,” said Steve, who revealed that despite the fierce rivalry with cross-city rivals United, his dad would watch both Manchester teams in his early days in the city.

“He moved to Manchester in mid 50s and he started going to watch them.

"He actually watched City and United on alternate weeks, depending on who was playing at home, but there were two Welsh players playing, Roy Clarke and Roy Paul, so because of that he stuck with City.”

A supporter ever since, Steve said his dad became more involved with the club itself during the 60s and 70s, which included a dedication to helping the club’s academy, as well as his tireless fundraising.

“He set up a corporate facility within the supporters club where you could have a meal before a game and players would then mingle with fans after the game,” said Steve.

“He got to know the players and would help on various committees with organising testimonials for them.

Tudor Thomas with Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne (Image: None)

“He put a lot of his own money into the club and helped out players with their futures. He got involved in that side of things before it was even a thing in football.

“We were pretty much penniless in the 80s and 90s and he was on committees helping to raise funds, to send juniors on end of season trips. He helped raise in excess of £500,000.

“He had a successful business and was able to put money in to help us survive during some difficult times in the 90s (City, remember, were relegated from the Premier League in 1996 and even dropped into English football’s third tier in 1998).

“It’s not a stretch to say that Man City wouldn’t be the club they are today without Tudor Thomas. He was an important cog among many others.”

In a statement on the club’s website, City said: “Manchester City are saddened to report that our honorary president Tudor Thomas has passed away.

“Tudor was a loyal supporter of the club since just after the Second World War, attending matches with his wife Mary wherever we played.

“At the Tudor Room in the Etihad Stadium, he entertained match officials and scouts on behalf of the club, surrounded by memorabilia that he collected in his 60 years of loyal support.”