Don Oakes joined Arsenal as an amateur in December 1945 and turned professional seven months later.
The inside forward/wing half played 11 times in 10 years at the Club, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1946/47 season.
But first-team opportunities proved difficult to come by and Oakes had scored just once before he was forced to give up the game due to rheumatic trouble in 1956.
He scored 68 goals in 158 Football Combination appearances and won league honours in 1952/53.
The attack-minded wide man completed National Service in the Army between 1946 and 1948. His father, Alfred, was a professional with Birmingham and Millwall.
Don Oakes
