RUGBY LEAGUE: Former Warwick footballer Noel Thornton, who died last month, will be remembered for his exploits on the field in Warwick, Brisbane and Sydney in an era when scrums were scrums.

Thornton played rugby league, rugby union and Australian rules in Warwick during his school years.

He played rugby union on Saturdays and rugby league on Sundays.

After leaving school, he moved to Brisbane and played rugby league for Brothers in 1962-1964.

He played for Brisbane against the touring French side in 1964 and won the scrums in an era when scrums were a fierce contest.

Thornton was Western Suburbs Magpies hooker in Sydney from 1965 to 1967 with then Australian hooker Noel Kelly moving to the front row to allow the hooker from Warwick to wear what was then No.12.

He was signed by the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in 1968 and led the first Sharks team to run on to Endeavour Field which is still the club's home ground.

Thornton retired in 1970 and coached Cronulla in reserve-grade in 1973 and A grade in 1974.

He was assistant coach to Jack Gibson at Eastern Suburbs for two years and then coached the Illawarra district team in country footy.

His oldest son Peter Thornton said his father suffered ill health in recent years.

"The Cronulla premiership win in 2016 brought back a lot of good memories for Dad,” Peter said.

"He loved to talk about his family heritage in Warwick and was in regular contact with his sister Margaret Ryan who lives in Warwick.”

Thornton is survived by his wife Patricia, children Peter, Michael and Julie, five grandchildren, two brothers and a sister.